ABU DHABI Want a guardian angel watching over you while you are on the roads? Here is a smartphone app that does just that and more to ensure road safety.
NYU Abu Dhabi students have launched the RoadWatch App that won a Dh1 million prize at the World Government Summit in Dubai last week. The Android app, available in 15 languages, can monitor driver heart rates and hand movement to alert you when you get sleepy behind the wheel. The app was chosen as the Best m-Government app among 94 entries from 21 universities.
Personal assistant
The application that acts as your personal driving assistant will also display the current state of the roads and warn drivers who exceed the speed limit or when an emergency services vehicle is approaching. In cases of road accidents and heavy fog, drivers will be assisted to change routes and reduce speed.
Speaking to XPRESS, Vietnamese Quan Ho Vuong, one of the members of the RoadWatch team, said the app is designed to motivate people to drive safely. “We wanted to focus on rewarding good driving rather than punishing bad driving. The app can turn driving into a game where you gain points by sticking to road safety rules. The more carefully you drive, the more points you gain,” said Vuong.
“The app can also be used as a data collection tool by authorities as driving statistics are anonymously sent to the Ministry of Interior. This will help authorities identify high-risk locations where drivers brake abruptly, speed or get stuck in traffic jams. The data will be used in planning roads infrastructure.”
The five-member team comprising Maitha Salem Al Memari, Kai-Erik Marechal Jensen, Kenny Song, Lingliang Zhang and Vuong took five weeks to create the app from scratch. The app can also be installed on smart watches.
“I am so proud to be part of a diverse team of students that worked with a common interest of giving back to the UAE community,” said Emirati Al Memari.
For more information about the RoadWatch application, visit www.roadwatch.ae
