MAN’s training goes off-road
Off-road training to increase driver efficiency
The launch event saw MAN demonstrate a driving simulator, that allows drivers and their skills to be measured in a virtual environment.
MAN Truck & Bus Middle East along with its UAE distributor, Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons, has boosted its ProfiDrive training programme to include off-road driver training.
The programme, used to improve driver performance and safety, has been offered in the Middle East for on road operation since 2009. With the inclusion of off-road, MAN now covers all aspects of truck operation in the region.
The off-road training teaches drivers how to get optimum traction, operate on different surfaces and to keep their vehicles under control using the latest MAN safety features such as hill-hold brake for manual gearboxes and MAN EasyStart for TipMatic gearboxes.
The launch event saw MAN demonstrate a driving simulator, that allows drivers and their skills to be measured in a virtual environment.
The simulator has onscreen projection directly onto the window of the driver’s cab and is trend setting. The person is completely immersed in the simulation environment and the virtual reality of the exercise. The simulator can simulate various vehicles with different combinations (such as different types of trailers or semi-trailers, vehicle load), special situations (such as side wind, brake failure, tire blow-outs), training in different environments (mountain roads, urban areas, highways) as well as a manoeuvring course.
“This latest initiative reflects MAN’s commitment to enhancing driver efficiency across customer fleets in the Middle East by introducing innovative training solutions,” said Rudolf Wiegand, VP after sales, MAN Middle East and Africa.
“The use of advanced simulators to support ongoing training is very helpful in training drivers to drive with foresight, remain calm and confident in critical situations, and stay in control of the vehicle. We place a huge emphasis on driver training as part of our ProfiDrive Training Packages which are designed to enhance a driver’s practical capabilities in addition to fundamental driving techniques so that they can maintain their vehicles better and contribute to increased fuel efficiency which translates to tangible cost savings for our customers.”
