Safety Technology Could Prevent Drivers from Texting While Driving

Motion Intelligence has teamed up with Voxx Advanced Solutions to create a multi-solution platform that has been made specifically to prevent drivers from using smartphones while they are driving. This is accomplished through the use of a combination of software and device tracking.

The solution uses highly precise location technology and uses this information to detect and disable any device screens which are within the driver zone of the vehicle, or in high risk areas like a pedestrian crossing. A software tool that is called Evvy is loaded onto a smart device and it works in tandem a device on the windshield called Audiovox FSD1, to identify any smart devices which are within the driver’s zone.

Evvy can be installed either as an application on the user’s mobile device or it can also be incorporated as part of existing software and telematics solutions.

When a smart device is used within the restricted area, the system prevents a driver from texting, using social media, or any other apps as long as the vehicle is on the move. The device can also be configured by the fleet manager to allow the use of apps which are considered to be essential for performing the driver’s job like navigation and Bluetooth.

In some applications, Evvy can be used to detect the location of the passenger seat location and to automatically adjust the internal environment in the car to the passenger’s preferred settings with regard to temperature, tastes in infotainment, navigation priorities, and other features. There is also scope for new revenue from targeted advertising and e-commerce engagement direct-to-passenger-device.

Commenting on the technology, Sue Spradley, Motion Intelligence chief executive officer said that the company’s first priority was to eliminate a driver’s hands-on use of their mobile device behind the wheel, and to use it safely even if they have to use it.

Spradley concluded, “To do that effectively, we needed to be able to detect any mobile device in a vehicle, then pinpoint exactly where it is in the vehicle. That precise location information allows for a multitude of device management applications which enhance driver and passenger safety and this ultimately saves lives.”