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Lives could be saved down under thanks to the technical wizardry of a Wirral company.
Technology solutions company, Pernix has received the first Australian order for its Advisory System for Tired Drivers (ASTiD), which will help keep tired drivers off the road.
The company has already built up a strong market in the UK for its innovative creation and approached UK Trade and Investment, the Government organisation that provides support services for UK companies trading overseas, to promote ASTiD internationally.
Pernix joined the Passport to Export programme, enlisting support from the British Consuls in Sydney and Melbourne for the launch of the product in Australia.
Seven months on, the company has secured its first Australian contract for 200 systems with a Darwin-based company, and other companies based in Melbourne and Sydney are currently considering board-level proposals.
ASTiD works by monitoring the behaviour of drivers for signs of tiredness.
The device takes into account such factors as peak times for sleep-related vehicle accidents, vehicle movement, and how long the driver has been on the road.
Drivers will be alerted that they are becoming drowsy through audio and visual alerts.
ASTiD is based on latest research from the Loughborough Sleep Research Centre.
Pernix codirector Steve Field said: "Falling asleep at the wheel is a major killer on roads all over the world".
"We believe our company will be the leading global player in the fight against driver fatigue and sleep-related crashes".
"UK Trade and Investment has been absolutely brilliant in orchestrating our overseas strategy".
"I would highly recommend them to other small and medium sized companies looking to secure international business".
"We are now working with them to tackle the USA and Canada", added Field.
 

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