- Homepage /
SAM - Smart Assistant Monitor
DRIVING ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY FOR DRIVING SCHOOLS AND PEOPLE WITH HEARING IMPAIRMENTS
What is SAM ?
SAM (Smart Assistant Monitor) offers a safer and enjoyable inclusive driving learning experience.
SAM is designed for hearing-impaired students learning to drive light or heavy vehicles and drving instructors during the learning phases.
During driving lessons, lip reading and sign language communication are impossible. So how can you tell the student to follow a direction, turn on the indicator, or simply slow down? How can you offer the student a smoother and less stressful driving lesson?
Thanks to our voice recognition technology, the driving instructor’s verbal instructions are translated in real time into an intuitive, universal pictorial language displayed on a head-up display in front of the driver. The driver does not need to take their eyes off the road and instantly understands what he need to do!
Thanks to microphones placed outside the driving school vehicle, the SAM driving assistance solution detect and geolocalize the sounds of priority / emergency vehicles and warning signals from up to 800 meters away.
Did you know ?
A regulatory change (In France)
The launch of this product is the result of a regulatory change held by the french ministry and the road safety delegation.
The decree of 28 March 2022 has considerably expanded the possibilities for driving heavy vehicles for people with severe hearing impairments, by drawing on the possibilities offered by technological innovations equipemnt on vehicles, including SAM.
How does sam work ?
Kit contents
a removable head-UP DISPLAY
The screen displays only priority information provided by the driving instructor and alerts the driver the approach of a priority vehicle. Its head-up positioning and illuminated display allow the driver to receive messages without taking their attention or eyes off the road
A VOICE COMMUNICATION BOX
A voice control box is placed inside the vehicle compartment. It is intended solely for use by the driving school instructor, who can thus communicate with the driver. Instructions to the driver are displayed in the form of icons on the screen in front of him.
A SHARK FIN ANTENNA FOR DETECTION OF EXTERNAL SOUNDS
The external shark fin antenna is placed on the roof: it is designed to recognise priority vehicles and horns up to 800 metres away. The driver is warned of their approach.
Iconographic language (ICOSAM) and its various themes
Icon colours
Each time the instructor gives an instruction to the learner driver, the SAM device analyses it and instantly displays icons on the screen in front of the learner.
The learner driver interprets the emergency of the signals based on the colours displayed:
In green : the instructions are linked to a non-urgent action or instruction such as accelerating or turning the left/right indicator on.
In orange : instructions are related to vigilance, such as the need to slow down, check the rearview mirror or pay attention to the white line.
In red : the instructions are related to vigilance and require immediate attention, such as slowing down or paying attention to the left/right rear overhang.
Other colors are also used to provide non-urgent information relating to the environment, directions or to indicate official signs (motorway, parking).
Icon shapes
Dozens of pictograms allow the SAM device to guide the learner driver using voice instructions provided by the driving school instructor. They are easily recognizable and adapted to all driving situations: pictograms relating to vehicles, alerts and indications related to the environment or the equipment of the driving school vehicle (roundabout, rearview mirror, gear lever, speedometer, etc.).
The themes
Theme 1
ON & OFF
Theme 2
Visual inspection
Theme 3
template & route
Theme 4
on-board controls
Theme 5
direction to follow
Theme 6
external alerts
Real additional security
Recognition of priority / emergency vehicles and audiible warning devices
Thanks to microphones placed outside the driving school vehicle, the SAM driver assistance solution detect and geolocalize the sounds of priority / emergency vehicles up to 800 meters away. Its international database of more than 1,500 sirens and horns makes the SAM device the safest solution for detecting and alerting deaf or hard-of-hearing drivers of approaching risky situations.
This solution is the result of a unique technical collaboration with leading automotive equipment manufacturers:
USER EXPERIENCE
CERENCE is a global industry leader in AI-powered interaction across transportation, working with the world’s leading automakers and mobility OEMs to drive innovation in the car, two-wheeler, and truck user experience.
CERENCE Emergency Vehicle Detection (EVD) provides intelligence that enables SAM to detect, geocolize and alert the driver the approach of priority vehicles.
HARMAN is a global leader in connected car technologies, lifestyle audio innovations, professional audio and lighting solutions, and digital transformation. HARMAN microphones used in the SAM solution and the shark antenna placed on the exterior of the vehicle provide excellent performance in capturing external sounds.
Download the SAM driving school booklet
Discover all the details of the SAM driving learning assistance solution for deaf or hard of hearing people.
Pimas has gathered together in a comprehensive booklet all the information necessary to discover the possibilities offered by our SAM system for inclusive driving schools.
By completing the form opposite, you can discover:
- The SAM solution
- How to interpret icon colors
- How to interpret icon shapes
- The list of SAM themes, instructions, and icons (exhaustive list)
- The alphabetical index of instructions
Want to go further and equip your driving school vehicle with the SAM solution? Contact us today to place your order and make driving more inclusive.
"*" indicates required fields
FAQ ON SAM DEVICE FOR DRIVING SCHOOL
Yes, the SAM solution designed by PIMAS is compatible with all vehicles on the market. It requires no modifications to your driving school vehicle or interior. Installing and uninstalling the device is quick and easy.
Yes, the SAM solution designed by PIMAS can be installed on both heavy vehicles (HVs) and light vehicles (LVs), with appropriate language and pictograms.
To give an instruction to the driver via SAM, the driving school instructor must follow these instructions:
A. Press the button on the remote control provided.
B. Dictate the desired instruction. This must be expressed clearly, without hesitation or interruption, and audibly.
The icon will appear on the screen almost instantly (approximately 1 second). If it does not appear, a second attempt is often possible within the allotted time. A beep will also indicate that the message has been received.
If the voice recognition system does not understand the command after two attempts, the screen will display a specific icon. This indicates to the driver that the instructor is trying to contact him. Simply press the button on the remote control again and repeat the command as clearly as possible.
12V power supply after contact, cigarette lighter type
