Update on the Simulator for Active Distracted Driver (SADD) Virtual Reality Experience

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Back when Sam was part of Civil FX (now a division of <em>Parametrix</em>), he and his team started working on a totally different kind of project than the ones they were already used to — which they mentioned in episode #4 of this podcast. This project was the</span> <strong>Simulator for Active Distracted Driver (SADD)</strong><span style="font-weight: 400;">, in which they aimed at “</span><em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">using fortnight to save lives</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">”. Today’s show is an update on the status of this project, and the challenges the COVID pandemic posed to its iteration.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Essentially,</span> <strong>SADD</strong> <span style="font-weight: 400;">can be described as a simulator that teaches the public in general the dangers of distracted driving. However, since one of the most common causes of car accidents reported to be related to distracted driving is cell phone usage, this virtual reality tool can be said to focus on teaching younger drivers the consequences of their distracted actions. While there are many examples of virtual reality being used to spread the word about this problem, the goal with <strong>SADD</strong> is to create something that is active and that people could “play with”, really visualizing themselves in the high-risk situation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Listen to the episode to find out how the simulator works, the problems Sam and his team faced when trying to get the simulator out and test it with people due to COVID-related restrictions, and what the future of it may look like, given that</span> <em><span style= "font-weight: 400;">Vision</span></em> <span style= "font-weight: 400;">is making progress towards a 2021 launch. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The simulator is already available on <em>Sidequest</em> for free. If you can utilize it, please do and share your thoughts with us! Furthermore, If you’re in the transportat