Automated Driving Test Track – An IoT Application

Internet of Things has spread its wings in definitive quarters, where capturing sensitive data and easing out complexities has become essential. The capricious and visible changes in the data need to be automatically fueled into the system. Commissioner of Transport, Government of Gujarat, India wanted to automate the driving test track, to reduce manual interference and have unbiased results. The solution offered, proved to be a perfect example for an Internet of Things application, where different devices are connected over a network to capture data and then process it to generate Driving Test results.

Need for Automation

Earlier the driving test used to be a manual process with human intervention. One had to take an “8” driving test to prove your ace in driving a Two Wheeler or Four Wheeler. A single Inspector would be the judge of the capabilities of the driver, and also check the errors committed in the process. This process needed to be automated for several reasons. A human intervention would simply hint at biased or erroneous judgment. The manual processes were not completely transparent, and the only record that was held of the process was what the Inspector logged. The test was also simple and only a single test would be conducted- a driver had to drive the vehicle as in “8”. Again, the long queues could not be avoided in the process as there was both human and infrastructure related limitation to the process. To ensure accuracy, transparency, speed, bias and human interference in the entire process, there was need to automate the driving test track.

Automation of Driving Test Track: The Solution

The solution offered aimed to remove the limitation that arose from the earlier manual solution, which is inaccurate readings and biased results. This solution has been categorized under internet of things because of the way the different technologies used within it aim to capture the data, and send results on a real time basis.

The Technologies that are Connected

• In the “8” driving track, there are pole sensors located at equidistant points along the 8. These pole sensors are used to sense the jerks and vibrations that the vehicle experiences within the track, and report them to the central tracking software
• There are beam sensors along this track which sense the forward and reverse movement of the vehicle in the track with precision
• The cameras will capture the video recording of the motion of the car and record the data collected
• RFID tags are placed along the direction of the 8 to record the user movements, while the “Stop-go” signal helps reassert the actual situation in simulation mode
• There is a mobile application using which the driver can register for the test. Apart from the mobile app, there is another technology, a third party app, which is used for the biometric validation

How the Solution Works?

• The driver who is applying for a license, should register using the mobile app. Once the registration process is completed, the driver will need to go for biometric scanning, to record their fingerprint in the system
• Once this process is done, they will receive a unique identity, which they need to produce while appearing for the test
• On the day of the test, the driver will be allowed inside only after the Id and the fingerprint produce a perfect match
• The technologies mentioned above, beam and pole sensors along with the cameras and RFID tags record the data with precision
• All the data recorded, and the ID plus fingerprint match are sent to the central control software, where the data is analyzed, and the results are given out based on the pre-set criteria
• The result is then sent to the third party application, from where it is then sent to the user

The different technologies communicate over a network without the need for computer or human interaction, which is why the results presented include high levels of accuracy In case, the candidate fails in the test, he/she can reappear in 7 days.

Benefits of IoT in RTO

Incorporating the Internet of Things solution to the automated driving test track, has offered a range of benefits to both the driving test takers and RTO officials.

• The process of giving a driving license has become less complicated because of the automation incorporated in the whole system
• The whole process does not call for manual interference which means the data is recorded along the track error free and with complete accuracy
• The devices capture data real time, and process as easily as possible. This tends to make the whole process of driving test tracking easy and fast
• Newer and better testing standards could be incorporated without worrying about precision of results
• The system of testing became more transparent because of the Internet of Things solutions which offered automation, and quick processing
• If RTO, at any point wants to add more parameters, they can do so without disrupting the existing solution

Internet of Things attempts to automate processes and make it more compliant with the automation and technology needs of the hour. Semaphore Software processed the first ever Internet of Things solution with the RTO project. Our expert team offers innovative ways of incorporating Internet of Things without increasing the complexities within the individual systems. Get in touch with us via info@semaphore-software.com for more queries on the same.