Gadgets in cars can block drivers' calls, texts, surfing temptations
August 1, 2011
Excerpt from Detroit Free Press
9:27 PM, Jul. 31, 2011 - by Greg Gardner
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"Our software detects if the user is in motion at more than 10 miles per hour," Roumeliotis said. "We're intelligent about determining whether you are in motion, and we have the ability to lock the phone. If you're not on a hands-free phone, and you start texting or making a phone call, the screen tells you you are blocked."
Location Labs, based in Emeryville, Calif., has partnered with T-Mobile to develop DriveSmart Plus, a subscription-based service that automatically detects when a handset user is driving and sets the phone into a driving mode. Once activated, the feature disables most texting and calls to the handset while the car is in motion. It does not block calls to a Bluetooth or other hands-free phone.
CEO Tasso Roumeliotis said a similar product, called Drive First, will soon be launched with Sprint that will be compatible with Android phones and later this year on BlackBerry phones.
"Our software detects if the user is in motion at more than 10 miles per hour," Roumeliotis said. "We're intelligent about determining whether you are in motion, and we have the ability to lock the phone. If you're not on a hands-free phone, and you start texting or making a phone call, the screen tells you you are blocked."
A driver can override the blocking feature, but the primary account holder -- often a parent of the driver -- is immediately notified of the override.
Unfortunately, Roumeliotis said, Apple does not allow third-party software that blocks phone calls.
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