For safer roads, Maruti Suzuki and Microsoft join hands to introduce HAMS technology for driver training
The state-of-art technology – HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) deployed at Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC), Dehradun.
New technology introduced in association with Government of Uttarakhand. ·HAMS offers 100% automation of driving test with no manual intervention. Explaining the benefits to citizens, Mr Shailesh Bagauli, IAS, Secretary, Department of Transport, Government of Uttarakhand, said, “The Government of Uttarakhand is very proud to start this state-of-the-art initiative, where we are using mobile phone-based technology to conduct driver testing. We are delighted to partner with Microsoft and IDTR in this initiative."
State-of-art technology
With an objective to make Indian roads safer, Maruti Suzuki India in collaboration with Microsoft Research India has developed a smart phone based technology for testing applicants seeking driver’s license. The technology - HAMS (Harnessing Automobile for Safety) - has been deployed at Automated Driving Test Centre (ADTC), Dehradun in association with the Transport Department, Government of Uttarakhand. The technology is being developed and tested jointly by Maruti Suzuki-promoted Institute of Driving and Traffic Research (IDTR) and Microsoft Research India.
Advanced video analytic technology
Maruti Suzuki has partnered with State Governments to set up state-of-the-art Automated Driving Test Centres. These centres are equipped with advanced video analytic technology to check driving skills of the applicants and replace manual assessment of candidates.
Positive feedback from canddates
Deployment of HAMS at ADTC Dehradun has brought encouraging changes in the testing process. It takes only 10 minutes to complete the test and generate the report. The average pass rate now stands at 54% as compared to over 90% in the earlier manual testing mode. The feedback from the candidates, including those who fail the test, has been positive. The candidates appreciate the objectivity and transparency of the entire process.
‘HAMS offers transparency’
Speaking on the deployment of latest technology for driver training, Mr. Ajay Kumar Tomer, Executive Advisor, Maruti Suzuki India said, “Maruti Suzuki started its driving training initiative in 2000. We have cumulatively trained over 3.4 million drivers nationally. Efficient testing of candidates seeking driver’s license is an important step towards imparting good driving behaviour. Use of latest technologies help bring transparency. ”