MINTEDVR

The Opportunity

Every year in NZ approximately one hundred thousand students turn 16 making them eligible to enter the graduate driver licence system. Transport authorities estimate that there are hundreds of thousands of drivers on an incorrect licence/ unlicenced. It is challenging for those wanting a driver’s licence to organise a vehicle and a suitable driving coach.

Wouldn’t it be great if every student could finish high school with a driver’s licence? Studies show that having a licence increase a person’s employability 7 times. Imagine the increased national productivity if everyone eligible had a driver’s licence?

The Product

MINTEDVR Co-founders Malica and Ashley Gore have spent the last 4 years using their extensive education and policing backgrounds to create a virtual reality application that gives you hands on experience teaching you all about driving before you even get on the road.

MINTEDVR trial programs have been underway since 2022 at a leading Auckland High School and a Pasifika community group in South Auckland.

MINTEDVR takes a learner through basic vehicle control and the finer points of driving – navigating a range of intersections, choosing safe gaps, scanning/blind spot checks speed management, safe following distances and vehicle positioning in a group learning environment.

Using spatial computing MINTEDVR provides learners with a very real driving experience without having to get on the road. Testing with various groups over the last three years shows that MINTEDVR enables all drivers no matter where they are on their learning journey. MINTEDVR has proved that it sharpens driving skills and enables learners to prepare for and pass restricted, full and overseas licence conversion practical tests. The hands-on application has even proved useful with those who have never driven enabling then to understand give way rules, road markings and signs.

MINTEDVR leverages technology to give learners important insights into safe driving in a group environment. A MINTEDVR coach with 10-15 VR headsets can teach learners at a community library, a school classroom and any other indoor community space.

Learners using the MINTEDVR experience are also supported by two additional digital tools:- Driving Road Test Ready – MINTEDVR – A free online questionnaire/reflection that checks a learner’s readiness of practical driver tests.

The MINTEDVR Course

Using at least 10 VR headsets A MINTEDVR Coach runs a 10 session MINTEDVR course for a group of learners. The Coach tracks each learner through the MINTEDVR Performance Dashboard providing timely feedback enabling the learner to progress. Learners are provided with a MINTEDVR participation certificate with detailed feedback on their driving skills.

A ten session MINTEDVR course is usually conducted in a school/suitable community space and costs approximately NZD $200 per learner.

In addition, there are also opportunities for MINTEDVR Coach to conduct a two session VR course for the community familiarising them with this awesome spatial computing technology.

Who We’re Looking For

MINTEDVR has received enquiries from various parts of the country and from overseas too.

We are looking for a range of franchise operators – from owner/operators in regional areas to those who have the desire to service large metro areas.

Training on the Virtual reality hardware and software systems will be provided. Using VR technology is intuitive and the web-based support systems are easy to operate. The VR operating system is very similar to using a smart phone and you will find the navigating to applications and settings familiar.

MINTEDVR Coaches will need to be:

• Vetted to work with young people
• Have a driver’s licence.
• Some coaching/teaching experience
• Good communication skills.
• A desire to enable their communities to be safe road users.

Initial Investment costs

To set up as a single MINTEDVR Coach with 10 VR headsets, cost approximately NZD$ 20,000- excluding any transport and communication investment costs if required.

Ready to get started?

Click below for more information.