Seeing Machines Limited SEE to lead ACT Government research trial

TIDMSEE

Seeing Machines Limited

19 May 2017

Seeing Machines Limited

("Seeing Machines" or the "Company")

Seeing Machines to lead Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government research trial (CAN Drive) for semi-autonomous vehicle project

19 May 2017

Seeing Machines (AIM: SEE), an industry leader in computer vision based human sensing technologies which enable breakthrough solutions in safety, performance and user experiences, announces that the ACT Government will fund a research project, CAN Drive, using Seeing Machines' driver monitoring technology to build information on the connection between driver behavior and automated vehicles (AV) and is expected to be the world's first automated vehicle trial with a primary focus on the driver.

The key goals of CAN Drive will be to:

   --      drive improvements in vehicle technology and road safety strategy; 
   --      drive community interest and acceptance of new vehicle technologies; and 
   --      cement Canberra's reputation as Australia's technology testbed. 

As part of the trial up to 40 Canberra drivers will be monitored while driving level three automated vehicles for up to two weeks at a time. These vehicles are capable of self-driving most of the time, but legally the driver is in control of the car, so the key issue being tested in this trial is how quickly a driver can be ready to assume control of the car when required.

The Seeing Machines software monitors the driver's facial movements and expressions to determine whether they are paying sufficient attention and sounds an alert if they need to look at the road and retain full control of the vehicle. The trial will be conducted in different environments and under different road conditions.

The ACT Government has committed A$1.35M to the trial which will commence development in July 2017 with a view to having the vehicles on Canberra roads by early 2018.

Andrew Barr, ACT Chief Minister commented: "We are fortunate to have Seeing Machines here in Canberra, employing almost 200 Canberrans and leading the world in the development of transport technologies. I am proud that a local company has agreed to partner and drive this world leading R&D project."

Ken Kroeger, Executive Chairman Seeing Machines commented: "This project is designed to deliver key technology outcomes for Seeing Machines and for the global automotive industry in the push towards higher and safer levels of autonomous driving. What makes the program special is that it encompasses social research into how the cars of the future will change the way we live and move in our great city. The support for this project from the ACT government allows us to expand our research footprint, attract world class engineers to the Company and ultimately, deliver better safety technology to the world's passenger cars, commercial trucks, trains and planes."

Enquiries:

 
  Seeing Machines Limited                 www.seeingmachines.com /+61 
                                           2 6103 4700 
  Ken Kroeger, Executive Chairman         [e-mail] 
   Mike McAuliffe, CEO                     [e-mail] 
  Media inquiries                         [e-mail] 
  finnCap Ltd, Broker for Seeing 
   Machines 
  Ed Frisby / Emily Watts, Corporate 
   Finance                                [phone] 
  Tim Redfern / Richard Chambers, 
   Corporate Broking 
 

About Seeing Machines

Seeing Machines, (AIM: SEE) is an industry leader in computer vision based human sensing technologies which enable breakthrough solutions in safety, performance and user experiences. With more than 15 years of deep R&D investment and experience, Seeing Machines uses advanced sensing technologies to track heads, eye and faces in order to variously detect, interpret and predict cognitive states and issues such as drowsiness, distraction (such as cell phone) and deliver precision eye gaze tracking in all challenging real world conditions such as in-vehicle during day, night, sunlight and impediments such as sunglasses. It delivers its technology platform in a range of products from embedded software to proprietary Fovio vision processors to full systems - also providing a 24/7 real time monitor and intervention service for commercial trucking and mining sectors - which saves lives, costs and protects assets. Seeing Machines' technology has been adopted as the benchmark by global industry leaders across the spectrum of automotive, mining, transport and aviation industries, as well as leading universities, research groups and transportation authorities. Seeing Machines is headquartered in Canberra, Australia and currently has offices and people in Melbourne, Tucson, Silicon Valley and Detroit.

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This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

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May 19, 2017 02:00 ET (06:00 GMT)