Samsung deploys Eyes on the Road VR content at driving schools

Singapore –
September 15, 2017 –To help educate new drivers on the dangers of distractions from using mobile devices while driving, Samsung
has deployed its latest development in VR content – Eyes on the Road

– at all
driving schools in Singapore. Launched initially at Nex Shopping Centre during
the commencement of the Singapore Road Safety Month 2017, the Eyes on the Road
VR content was subsequently deployed at the Samsung Experience Store at
VivoCity and has engaged more than 70,000 participants across all platforms
since May. Following the success of more than 6,000 participants trying out the
Eyes on the Road VR Content deployed at both shopping centres, Samsung has also
rolled out the Eyes on the Road VR content to driving schools to help inculcate
good driving habits in trainee drivers.

“Samsung’s
Eyes on the Road VR content was created to present viewers with a simulated
environment on the dangers of distracted driving,” said Esther Low, Head of
Corporate Marketing, Samsung Electronics Singapore. “To continue in our education
and awareness efforts on this issue, we are pleased to partner all three
driving schools in Singapore to provide an opportunity for driving students and
new drivers to educate themselves on the importance of cultivating good road
safety habits.”

The Singapore
Safety Driving Centre, ComfortDelGro Driving Centre and Bukit Batok Driving
Centre have been fitted with Samsung Gear VRs1
showcasing the Eyes on the Road VR content to help educate soon-to-be drivers
in a safe yet realistic manner on the potentially hazardous situations they may
place themselves and other road users in when using mobile devices while
driving.Placed in the administrative holding areas of the driving schools, the
aim of this initiative is to develop a strong sense of responsibility among new
drivers on the road to adhere to road safety procedures.

“Harnessing
the use of VR technology to provide a simulation for drivers to experience the
dangers of distracted driving would have been nothing more than fantasy 10
years ago,” said Ron Ngong, Assistant Vice President, ComfortDelGro Driving
Centre. “With it, drivers and pedestrians can now get a first-hand experience
of what could potentially happen if they don’t adhere to safety rules while on
the road.”

“The VR
content was really interesting and it shows us the potential dangers of
distracted driving,” said Gregory Teo, 21, a full-time National Serviceman, on
his experience using the Eyes on the Road VR Content. “I think this a great
initiative to help educate new drivers or soon-to-be drivers like myself, as
nothing really prepares you for situations shown in the Eyes on the Road VR
content and I think education and simulation are great ways to try and get that
message across.”

Although
the number of fatal accidents has decreased by 5.4 percent from 2015 to 2016,
the number of injury accidents has seen a rise of 2.7 percent in 2016 as
compared to 20152. To help reduce the number of traffic incidents caused by distractions
from mobile devices, Samsung’s Eyes on the Road VR content features different
dangerous scenarios to discourage the use of mobile devices while on the road.
For example, a scenario plays out whereby the user, experiencing the point of
view of a driver, almost gets into an accident at a pedestrian crossing due to
distractions from his mobile device.

“While the
number of traffic fatalities has decreased in the past years, we are still
seeing a rise in traffic accidents resulting in injuries, said Mr. Bernard Tay,
Chairman, Singapore Road Safety Council. “To help reduce the number of traffic
incidents caused by distractions from mobile devices, it is timely for us to
partner with Samsung to use their immersive VR content to inspire and enhance
RoadSense culture.’’

Samsung’s
Eyes on the RoadVR content can now be downloaded via the Samsung VR store for
free and is compatible with all Samsung Gear VR-compatible devices3.

3The Samsung
Gear VR is compatible with the Samsung Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 edge, Galaxy S6
edge+, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 edge, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ and
Galaxy Note8.

***

Samsung
Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with
transformative ideas and technologies. The company is redefining the worlds of
TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances,
medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. For
the latest news, please visit Samsung Newsroom at http://news.samsung.com.