Dallmeier is supporting a Europe-wide project: a European taxi emergency simulator.
It is used for practical training of taxi drivers on dealing effectively with various emergencies that may occur on a daily basis. Camera and recorder technology by Dallmeier ensures that the training sessions can subsequently be analysed from different angles, which enables trainers to provide useful feedback on their individual behaviour in the case of an emergency.
Some people associate the job of a taxi driver with a certain romanticism โ the freedom of the road and friendly passengers. However, as a taxi driver you never know who your next customer will be and some passenger might be less interested in a quick ride but more on the driverโs daily takings. Statistically less frequent than road accidents or other work-related injuries, robberies are all the more dangerous. In a two-day seminar, taxi drivers can educate themselves on how to react best to certain situations, with a focus on self-protection.
The idea for this security training was developed by consultancy firm Cachée, based near Augsburg. Cachée is a subsidiary of Cachée & Wiedemann GbR, which specialises on crisis, disaster and emergency management. In July 2007, the company hosted the first seminar of this kind, on the theme of `Security and emergency management in the taxi industry´. The training concept was devised in cooperation between the consulting firm and the professional association of commercial car owners. Dallmeier lent its support to the organisers in the implementation of the recording system.
Training in the simulator
Inside the vehicle used as a simulator, which had been provided by Skoda Auto Germany, the driver’s behaviour and reactions are recorded by four Dallmeier MDF3000A-CS high-resolution module cameras on to four DIS-2/M StreamerPro HDD Small video recorders. The compact cameras are the makers say suited for this kind of application since their Cam_inPIX image capture technology enables them to quickly adjust to the changing lighting conditions inside a moving vehicle. This is made possible through the sensor concept of the Cam_inPIX technology which is based on the company’s Digital Pixel System (DPS) platform. With this technology, the picture information of each individual pixel is converted digitally at the point of capture and processed in the most optimal way. Therefore, even situations with a great range in contrast can be recorded and documented in it is claimed previously unseen picture qualities. Every detail of the simulated emergency is registered, which is vital because in a dangerous situation seemingly trivial things can be decisive. After the training, the recorded image material is usually analysed together with the instructor. Thanks to audio transmission the reaction of the driver to the simulated robbery can be assessed even more effectively, since talking can play a vital role. Choice of language is critical because an inconsiderate remark may quickly irritate the raider and increase the likelihood of a violent attack on the driver.
The recorder used for monitoring the driver’s behaviour is a one-channel audio and video recorder for analogue cameras, and recording is carried out in highest image quality at up to 25 fps. Simultaneously, audio as well as video data can be transmitted as a real-time stream via a network (RTP protocol). The entire simulation can therefore be viewed live and discussed by the instructor and other participants as it is happening. Since a car does not necessarily provide the ideal operating environment for a recorder in terms of vibrations and dust, the Dallmeier technicians selected the DIS-2/M StreamerPro HDD Small, a portable stand-alone recorder, whose compact and robust design makes it an ideal recording solution for temporary and mobile applications.
How it came about
Dallmeier’s involvement in the emergency simulator project originated from a meeting between Dallmeier Sales Manager Christian Linthaler and Philip Cachée. Both parties soon agreed on the general conditions of a cooperation as well as the specific requirements and it took only three months to move from initial planning to the actual realisation of the project. All involved commented positively, particularly stressing the cooperation with Dallmeier in all stages.
Meanwhile, there has been some TV interest in this project. Various reports on the taxi emergency simulators have already been broadcast. The emergency training has already been shown in Cologne and Bad Tölz. Taxi emergency simulator online: http://www.taxinotfallsimulator.de
