Comments on: The connected car: How to design compelling apps without causing accidents http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/ Fri, 24 May 2013 09:22:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: EZFreeSMS http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1023706 Fri, 28 Sep 2012 11:56:25 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1023706 at&t awarded prize to 11 year old for making a safe mobile app designed to discourage texting while driving. http://ezfreesms offers free international PC to Mobile texting

]]> By: Jeff Bannon http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1016040 Tue, 25 Sep 2012 02:25:35 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1016040 I heard at a session featuring Yoon Kim news related to your topic. He mentioned that a new app will be available next month that will offer completely voice-controlled access to email – Talkler (?). Sounded very encouraging for hands-free, “heads-up” managing of emails while driving. Have you heard any news about this?

Jeff B, Brooklyn NY

]]> By: vanessa http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1014133 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:20:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1014133 Regarding automobile safety, I’ve recently discovered this NEW smartphone app called TALKLER — EMAIL FOR YOUR EARS. They describe themselves as the FREE smartphone app for heads-up, hands-off, reads-aloud-to-you, voice-controlled email. I recommend checking it out: Facebook.com/Talkler and http://www.Talkler.com

]]> By: Robin Magnifis http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1009472 Fri, 21 Sep 2012 01:07:40 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1009472 Exactly the rationale behind Robin: http://robingets.me

]]> By: Greg Thomas http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1008460 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:26:47 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1008460 What a great article. The argument that I have made to Senators and Representative looking to place bans on texting and other infotainment systems is… the number of laptops that are installed in public safety vehicles, phone companies, cable companies, and power companies. These laptops are nothing more than cell phones. In public safety vehicles (police cars, fire trucks, and ambulances) the driver can receive call information, send acknowledgements, and send text vehicle to vehicle. Imagine texting while driving a 10 ton fire truck down a busy 4 lane highway with the red lights and siren on…. After spending millions of dollars on the complex communication systems, the government will never turn them off, yet the drivers are doing the same things I do with my phone – TEXTING. No matter how interactive you make car electronic systems, people will still talk on their phones and send text messages. Nearly everyone has a cell phone and there is no way that law enforcement can control their usage, even if they care to (because they are texting, too). Drivers love to text and play with their infotainment systems. Leave them alone. Thanks.

]]> By: Matt Albrecht http://gigaom.com/2012/09/19/the-challenge-of-the-connected-car-how-to-design-compelling-apps-without-causing-accidents/#comment-1008450 Thu, 20 Sep 2012 15:25:00 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=564749#comment-1008450 Robert,

How exciting to hear another voice who is ideating on what the connected car could look like in the near future! I am a founder of an MIT start-up in Boston. We believe that new user interfaces/apps can be designed safely for the car. My company, BRIGHTdriver, http://www.brightdriver.com is making driving safe, but fun with interactive audio games.

Researchers at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics have found that additional stimulation to the driver is important to creating an optimal driver state somewhere between distraction (boredom) and overstimulation. Texting, phone calls, even radio are merely reactions to a larger, lurking issue with driving, that is BOREDOM. Boredom is just as dangerous as being overstimulated.

At BRIGHTdriver, we set out to create interaction in the car that complements the drive. BRIGHTdriver games are all AUDIO and are no more dangerous than radio or books-on-tape.

Through real-time monitoring and active driver input we receive insight into the driver’s mental state as well as the environment that they are operating their car. By understanding driver context we can adjust audio interaction to adapt to moments of driver boredom as well as driver overload. The short of it is we can tell if you are bored or stressed and adjust the game to how you are feeling!

Games may seem like an unlikely option for the car, yet according to Nielsen, the average American with a smartphone spends just 3 minutes talking on their phone and the majority playing games and connecting with friends. Essentially, all the things that we love about our smartphone are broken when we get into the car because it’s dangerous.

Whether you are one of the 110 million Americans who commute alone or part of a family road trip, we have come to rely more on our smartphones to entertain us in the car. BRIGHTdriver’s audio games help entertain the driver safely, as well as reconnect families on long road trips. Not only are we creating games that are fun and interesting, they also can make you a better driver and perhaps a smarter, more relaxed person. Now who doesn’t want that?!

We would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in person.
Matt Albrecht

Founder and VP of Product
BRIGHTdriver Inc.
Phone-+1.617.308.3108
matt@brightdriver.com

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