Taser , a personal safety company that specializes in devices that help deter attacks is working at CES 2011 to solidify themselves as a leader in safe driving technology. The company’s product the “Protector Safe Driver System” allows parents to track their children’s driving activities, while disabling Smartphones when inside the car during driving periods.
To accomplish their safe driving goal Taser’s new system has three components. The first two parts are software based, with a Smartphone app placed on the drivers phone and a widget installed on the users Mac or PC operating system. The third component is a piece of hardware which connects to the vehicle, allowing the system to recognize when the vehicle has been turned on.
Here’s at look at the hardware option for the program:
Once installed the users phone will lock when the ignition is turned on in the car and their phone is within range. While it may be a little annoying to the phone locked in the car while driving with mom and dad, it does stress the need to stay off the phone in driving situations.
When locked the Smartphone’s application (Currently available for Android and Blackberry) displays a lock screen:
When the ignition to the vehicle is turned off the phone can then be unlocked at which time the user will receive a 10 second count down timer. You will also notice the ability to call 911 without unlocking the phone, ideal if you want to make a call after an emergency but your phone is still locked.
Here’s the countdown timer:
Along with the smartphone and hardware technology is the desktop widget, from this display users are able to discover driving violations via the alerts tab, such as times when the ignition was turned off due to phone use, while a map can be displayed to show where the user has traveled along with several other customizable options.
One of my favorite parts of this new system is the simplicity it offers, simply have the hardware installed and you will be able to point and click your way through the widget screen on your PC or Mac. Here’s a look at the programs simple interface:
If you have a trouble driver this is a great way to curb their enthusiasm for violating the rules of the road and it could help you generate discussions about safe driving with your children, possibly saving their lives from a deadly accident one day.
