Researchers at the University of Utah have created a device that they see as hopefully saving the lives of some teenage drivers who like to chat or text unsafely on the cell phone. Called the Key2SafeDriving, this device is essentially a key fob for the engine key of a vehicle that works with software installed on a cell phone.
When the engine key in the key fob is extended, it sends a Bluetooth signal to the cell phone that causes it to go into “drive mode.” The cell phone then displays a red STOP sign across the screen and all calls essentially go to voicemail – doesn’t matter if you have a Bluetooth headset or not. And if junior or the little miss decide to go ahead and try to text anyway, a message is sent back to home base, a.k.a. mom or dad, and they can inform the younger types to cut it out.
Researchers hope to have the technology on the market within the next six months with an expected cost of less than $50 a key with an undisclosed monthly service fee.