Filed under: Gadgets, Time Warp, Etc.
Chirp alerts cell-gabbing driver of intersection
Demetrius
Thompson was struck, twice, by drivers distracted while chatting on their cellphones. Instead of understandably getting
mad or sensibly suing the drivers for millions, he instead founded the company Global
Mobile Alert which developed a system called MyMobileAlert. MyMobileAlert tracks the cellphone via GPS as its owner drives about their business. When the system determines the chatty driver is approaching within one hundred feet of a stoplight or a certain distance from an intersection, the cellphone will emit a loud 'chirp' to notify the driver who can then take any appropriate actions.
The only requirement for MyMobileAlert is a GPS-capable cellphone; the issuing wireless company would install the necessary software. So far the system has been demonstrated in cities such as West Hollywood, California.
[Source: Technology Review]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
salguod 9:06PM (4/21/2006)
What they need is a "Warning: You're driving 28 in a 50 MPH zone" alert. Or "Warning: The light turned green a half an hour ago, MOVE IT!" alert.
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James 9:11PM (4/21/2006)
Something like this should be offered by all cell phone carriers to each person when they purchase a new phone. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone chatting on the phone and run a red light or stop sign.
Something like this should be offered by all cell phone carriers to each person when they purchase a new phone. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone chatting on the phone and run a red light or stop sign.
I remember when talking on a cell phone meant you were doing some important business - something that just couldn't wait for you to get to a land-line. Today cell phone use is abused by so many - chatting to someone while eating lunch and driving back to work (saw this today during lunch), talking about the latest episode of My Name Is Earl while driving into work, or countless other things which really don't need to be done at that moment.
People need to remember driving isn't a right, it is a privilege. Hang up the phone, put away the Burger King, Stop scrolling thru your iPod, and forget about the quarter you dropped on the floor - concentrate on being a safe and courteous driver.
James
I remember when talking on a cell phone ment you were doing some important business - something that just couldn't wait for you to get to a land-line. Today cell phone use is abused by so many - chatting to someone while eating lunch and driving back to work (saw this today during lunch), talking about the latest episode of My Name Is Earl while driving into work, or countless other things which really don't need to be done at that moment.
People need to remember driving isn't a right, its a privliage. Hang up the phone, put away the Burger King, Stop scrolling thru your iPod, and forget about the quarter you dropped on the floor - concentrate on being a safe and curtious driver.
James
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That One Person 9:12PM (4/21/2006)
I almost got ran off the road a couple times today. Once by a COP on a cellphone (go figure) and the other was some lady on a phone in a Suburban with four kids. This type of BS is getting freaking ridiculous. I have only been driving for four years (yea its sad but I took drivers ed late lol) and I hate driving. I actually fear for my life sometimes. I avoid freeways as much as possible, I avoid left turns, I avoid driving next to SUV's and a host of other things.
I know I sound like a baby but I cant afford to get into an accident. And I dont particularly feel like being hurt. Driving just gets to me sometimes I guess...
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MadeinDetroit 9:44PM (4/21/2006)
Maybe a mild shock would be more in order than a chirp.....
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Stoneman 10:28PM (4/21/2006)
I'd pay good money to substitute the chirp sound for a quick shock of high voltage. Nothing lethal, but just enough to get your attention. Those MFFY jackoffs who drive slower than the speed limit, talking on the phone. I pass them, if possible. I love the shock, the look, saying "Holy F*** I'm being passed". Yes, I'm an angry man.
Like yesterday. Some dumb F*** was going 30 KILOMETERS a freaking hour in a 50 zone. For Gods sake, my car doesn't come out of first gear yet. Best one so far? A stupid ass Porsche 944 turbo going the same speed on the SAME STRETCH OF ROAD. Only in freaking Atlantic Canada. God help me, I need to move back west.
Stoneman
http://www.stonemanautoreview.com
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Ford 10:50PM (4/21/2006)
Thats stupid...people just need to be educated on how to drive. I use a cellphone when I drive...not all the time, but it seems like I'm more alert when I'm on the phone than when I am not.
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Talis 10:59PM (4/21/2006)
Or you can just shut up and drive...
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That One Person 11:00PM (4/21/2006)
Stoneman, I agree with you on that. I like the people who hit their brakes constantly, too. Its like a freaking strobe light. All you need is the techno music and things will be peachy. Plus, I always thought Canadians, as a whole, were good drivers. A little heavy on the accelerator but good.
I like this stoplight idea. But they need something on phones that interacts with sensors on cars and does whatever. Kind of like those backup sensors they have now.
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zodingi 1:05AM (4/22/2006)
Great guy with a great invention. But he should have sued the 2 drivers too.
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stan 1:06AM (4/22/2006)
So instead of talking on a cell phone, a person with this device would be staring at their GPS and making more unnecessary movement on the road that make driving more dangerous. This invention is pointless and as much, if not more of a threat to normal drivers than people talking on cell phones.
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iQuack 1:27AM (4/22/2006)
All distractions from driving are dangerous and thoughtless. People who are driving should drive and do NOTHING else at the same time.
"Multi-tasking" is a phony bunch of crap and means doing several things poorly instead of one thing well. If you must call somebody, pull off the road and make your call.
Shut up and DRIVE!
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shiznannigan 2:17AM (4/22/2006)
wonder if GPS tracking could be used to *disable* a cell phone at speeds over, say, 15 mph (except 911 calls, of course). Yeah, it would kill phones in taxis and busses, where distraction isn't as much of an issue. But I'm sure the cab drivers and bus passengers will appreciate it...
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Razib Ahmed 5:34AM (4/22/2006)
Good idea but not perhaps the perfect sollution. It is a growing problem in all over the world not just in USA. It will be aserious problem in SOuth Asian countries like India or Pakistan where drivers do not show so high regard to traffic laws like USA. specialy now Pakistan has a teledensity of 22% (http://www.southasiabiz.com/2006/04/pakistan_teledensity_on_the_ri.html).
I just think that the best way is to educated drivers and on the other hand strict enforcement of law.
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mario 8:14AM (4/22/2006)
On a recent to Spain, I saw a traffic cop (Guardia Civil)pull over a car where the driver was talking on a cell phone. It's a serious offense to drive & chat.
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Schira 8:16AM (4/22/2006)
#6 ..
Yea.. When I did not want to drink and met with an accident, all my friends who were drinking at that time said " We told you .. you did not listen . If you were drunk, you wou would have been more careful!"
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Corey W. 11:58AM (4/22/2006)
I will never understand the growing need for technology to compensate for human stupidity.
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Howard Kerr 11:59AM (4/22/2006)
"...but it SEEMS like I'm more alert when I'm on the phone than when I'm not." I've heard people say the same thing when they are (finally) stopped by police for driving under the influence, be it drugs or alcohol.
Perhaps we should start including a cellphone part to the driving part of driver's tests. There could even be a walking while talking instead of driving while talking test (for those folks that don't want to risk their cars). If you fail the cellphone part of the test, your cellphone gets a chip inplanted that keeps it from activating when the car's transmission is in any forward gear. THAT, and/or the car you drive has a HUGE sticker prominently displayed on it that says "BEWARE, I AM OBLIVIOUS WHILE ON 'PHONE"
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arpad 9:36AM (4/25/2006)
So how does the phone distinguish that you're driving and not a passenger?
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Jim Dobson 11:31PM (11/14/2006)
i liked your site
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