In December, 2011, the KAMAZ dynamic driving simulator of Company “Eidos” - resident of Technopark “Idea” was delivered to the Regional Institute for Advanced Technology and Business (Naberezhnye Chelny).
Non-state Educational Establishment “The Regional Institute for Advanced Technology and Business” – one of the leading educational centers conducts training of employees of companies that provide the basis of industrial complex of the Republic of Tatarstan. There, simulators are used for training in specialization “KAMAZ motor vehicle maintenance and repair”.
In February 6, 2012, TV channel “Russia-24” showed the story devoted to practical application of “Eidos” Company’s driving simulators by military drivers for educational purposes.
“In Naberezhnye Chelny, the military learn how to drive a heavy track “KAMAZ” - while their commanders no more fear that the newcomers can damage high-priced mechanism. The majority of military students - from the South Military Region, where 80% of military facilities are based on “KAMAZ”.
This “KAMAZ” has not motor under the hood but has pneumatic cylinders instead of wheels. The electric motor with a capacity less than microwave oven’s capacity moves the driver from the classroom to the track in a matter of seconds. Such virtual simulator test-drive fully imitates driving a real truck.
“There are military units that operate such trucks in mountainous terrain – it is very good practice for them. If the driver has such training preparation at the very least, he will have the experience to avoid a certain percentage of road traffic accident”- says Mikhail Bukin, Head of Motor Transport Service of Military Unit 11384.
The simulator’s operator switches the program of mountain serpentine road and sets the parameters: the driver of the military “KAMAZ” carries a 20-ton load at first through a narrow serpentine road and then over rough terrain. The simulator closely imitates a real driving: the cabin has an inclination; it is difficult to regulate the accelerator pedal on long ascending grade. The truck simulator is entirely home-grown technology, developed by Kazan scientists and engineers of Research and Technology Centre “KAMAZ”.
Sensors are installed on each pneumatic cylinder, on each pedal, steering and gear box” – explains Vitaliy Chernyh, the developer of simulator “KAMAZ”.
Most of the officers of training team serve in the South Military Region where nearly 80 percent of vehicles are on the basis of “KAMAZ”. Even for an experienced driver to overcome such areas of mountainous terrain on a heavy military truck is a real test. Now the skills will be sharpened on such simulators.
You do not feel the dimensions on the simulator. Therefore, after driving the simulator it is rather easier to drive a real vehicle”, - assures Alexander Babushkin, Senior of Officer Training Group of the South Military Region.
The main goal is to reduce the operation problems. Having theoretical and practical training, the military students will get knowledge and this will cause reduction of the damage amount and increase of vehicle life”, - says Rauf Khamitov, Deputy Head of Motor Vehicle and New Technology Department of Training Center “KAMAZ”.
Ministry of Defense and JSC “KAMAZ” concluded the Agreement on supply of specialized trucks mounted with armored cabin and platform that is designed as tractive vehicle for transportation of large-tonnage cargo and heavy military hardware.
Trucks for the Ministry of Defense are assembled at the general conveyortogether with non-military trucks. Only the internals of such machines is radically different. The military “KAMAZ” is a four-wheel drive truck and many elements of reinforced suspension are taken from sport trucks involved in the rally. The truck’s platform is specially designed by Research and Technology Centre with a view to install air defense system, rocket launchers and communication system. Heavy-load trucks will easily overcome even the most difficult terrain.
After training of the first group of officers at the training center “KAMAZ”, it is planned to continue seminars jointly with the Ministry of Defense and in the future – to create a network of training centers with such simulator in each military region.
It should be reminded that on December 13, 2011, LLC “Eidos” and JSC “KAMAZ” signed an agreement which, in particular, stipulates coordination of activities of the parties in the sphere of development, production, promotion and delivery of driving simulators – devices simulating real-world KAMAZ vehicle driving in virtual reality. Besides, the parties decided to organize after-sales and warranty service and repair of driving simulators on the basis of service centers of JSC “KAMAZ”.
Driving simulators used for training have advantages over traditional real-life training, as they can simulate a great number of emergencies on the road. To add to this, driving simulators help drivers overcome road fear, eliminate psychological stress and give them an opportunity to better master new skills. Also driving simulators enable to save money on energy resources not damaging the environment. The standard “C” category program for truck driving training includes 60 hours of practical driving, during which more than 2,400 liters of nonrenewable fuel and 31 tons of pure oxygen are consumed. One hour of training costs RUB 1,000, and over 7 tons of carbon dioxide are emitted into the Earth atmosphere. In contrast to real-life vehicles, driving simulators consume 3 kW/h of energy, which makes only RUB 12, as 1 kW/h costs RUB 4, according to Department of PR of the Company.
In addition, in December, 2011 LLC “Eidos” delivered driving simulators for Ramenskoe Transport College (Moscow Region) and also made the first export delivery of driving simulators “Autotrener” to Baku. The customer of the simulator was the Ministry of Emergency Situations in the Republic of Azerbaijan.