Cycling while texting safety device

On Sun, 30 Mar 2014 11:16:54 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

To succeed in a really big way, the phone gizmo should have several
other features:
1) A way of enabling claims that it "Saved My Life!" even if it did no
such thing. This reinforces pride of purchase, and generates volunteer
advertising. (Or as some might call it, "guerrilla marketing.")

Usage statistics can be used as a safe driving incentive. I'm sure
the insurance companies will be interested in the number of
text-n-drive alerts produced by the device, and would be more than
happy to raise the owners rates should the number be above some
threshold. At this time, such monitoring devices that plug into the
OBD2 jack in a vehicle are voluntary. When the level acceptance
becomes high enough, I'm sure it will magically become mandatory. Same
with a text-n-drive monitor.

2) A way of requiring a purchase of a new unit at full price if it ever
does pretend to Save Your Life;

Make it out of Styrofoam? I don't think you need worry about
replacement cycles. The average dumb phone has a life of about 18
months. Smartphones are being replaced about every 3 years. What
that means is that once introduced and mandated by the clueless
legislatures, universal deployment of the text-n-drive safety alarm
system will only take 3 years. That will be justified by revenue
enhancement, where repeated alarms will result in receiving a traffic
ticket in the mail.

Of course, new safety features and devices will need to be added to
insure perpetual obsolescence. The problem is the "Chicken Little"
effect, where constant warnings eventually cause the user to ignore
the warnings.

3) A way of purportedly expiring - say, by claiming that three years of
sitting mostly on a shelf will decrease its life saving capability below
some magically critical threshold.

As I mentioned, it's not a problem because of the 3 year equipment
churn. I think the maximum life will probably be 5 years, or 7 years
in California, which is the unenforced warranty required for such
devices.
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1752
See Calif Civil Code section 1793.03
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=civ&group=01001-02000&file=1792-1795.8

4) An organization of volunteers - say, Safe Phones, Inc. - who will
lobby to mandate the device, claiming phoning without the device is
terribly, terribly dangerous, even if the user is sitting still.

That might be difficult to inspire without slaughtering a few innocent
text-n-drive users. However, the associated public relations campaign
is easy enough. However, be sure to never allow any research money to
be directed towards demonstrating the (lack of) effectiveness of the
device, policies, fines, etc.

I know that sounds weird, but that strategy has worked very well for
certain other "safety" devices.

There have been some failures, but in general, such strategies are
required to shove the concept of safety down the consumers reluctant
throats. For example, California's 2011 law for CO detectors and
smoke alarms are a substantial improvement over the previous devices.
While safety is always a hard sell, as it produces nothing tangible,
it should not be discarded simply because of a few failures.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558

now what ?

http://goo.gl/kq6NT9

On 3/30/2014 10:04 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

Usage statistics can be used as a safe driving incentive. I'm sure
the insurance companies will be interested in the number of
text-n-drive alerts produced by the device, and would be more than
happy to raise the owners rates should the number be above some
threshold. At this time, such monitoring devices that plug into the
OBD2 jack in a vehicle are voluntary. When the level acceptance
becomes high enough, I'm sure it will magically become mandatory. Same
with a text-n-drive monitor.

Right now, you're offered slightly lower rates if you agree to plug in
an OBD-II device, so while it's voluntary there is an incentive. Perhaps
there's a market for a simulator that you keep at home and leave the
OBD-II monitor plugged into. That would be a very easy device to build.

I have an ELM327 OBD-II Bluetooth dongle in each car. I use the Android
App "Torque" to monitor it. Especially useful just before smog tests.

Insurance companies already offer all sorts of discounts for various
safety features in a vehicle, but the monitoring device is a bit creepy.

On 3/30/2014 10:04 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 30 Mar 2014 11:16:54 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

To succeed in a really big way, the phone gizmo should have several
other features:
1) A way of enabling claims that it "Saved My Life!" even if it did no
such thing. This reinforces pride of purchase, and generates volunteer
advertising. (Or as some might call it, "guerrilla marketing.")

Usage statistics can be used as a safe driving incentive. I'm sure
the insurance companies will be interested in the number of
text-n-drive alerts produced by the device, and would be more than
happy to raise the owners rates should the number be above some
threshold.

Look at life insurance where you're offered lower rates if you don't
smoke even though they really don't know if you smoke or not.

The life insurance companies are likely to expand the number of criteria
for rates as sensor technology develops. I.e., in states with no
motorcycle helmet laws you often have to have proof of medical
insurance, and pay higher life insurance rates to go without a helmet,
and this could be expanded to other proven safety devices like bicycle
helmets.

what monitoring devices ?

On Sunday, March 30, 2014 3:52:45 PM UTC-4, DATAKOLL MARINE RESEARCH wrote:
what monitoring devices ?

right. I read the connection but passed over to real problem solving...the second paying for the code reader.

I'm doing this now but no Global Star/State Farm....

relatively expensive but minus immediate information benefits not so bad.

http://www.verizontelematics.com/pp/.../visionart.php

On Sun, 30 Mar 2014 11:16:54 -0400, Frank Krygowski
wrote:

On 3/29/2014 11:16 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sat, 29 Mar 2014 08:25:17 -0700, sms
wrote:

On 3/28/2014 12:29 PM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
Progress blunders onward:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/28/apple_patents_tool_to_tip_off_oblivious_texters_to _oncoming_collisions/
Apple makes texting while riding safe. With this patent, you will
receive an on screen warning that you are about to crash while
texting, thus making it possible to text while riding. With a little
imagination, this patent can also be used to allow reading, browsing,
and checking email while riding, thus avoiding the anxiety produced by
oncoming traffic and immovable objects.

The way people hold their phones while they text, read, or web browse,
while cycling, walking, or driving, makes the value of that app
questionable.

Agreed. However, the alleged benefits of such a safety device gives
the user the perception of safety, thus allowing them to perform
dangerous acts of near terminal stupidity on the assumption that if
they do something wrong, the device will warn them. That's the basic
fallacy of all safety features and devices. As always, perception is
everything.

To succeed in a really big way, the phone gizmo should have several
other features:
1) A way of enabling claims that it "Saved My Life!" even if it did no
such thing. This reinforces pride of purchase, and generates volunteer
advertising. (Or as some might call it, "guerrilla marketing.")
2) A way of requiring a purchase of a new unit at full price if it ever
does pretend to Save Your Life;
3) A way of purportedly expiring - say, by claiming that three years of
sitting mostly on a shelf will decrease its life saving capability below
some magically critical threshold.
4) An organization of volunteers - say, Safe Phones, Inc. - who will
lobby to mandate the device, claiming phoning without the device is
terribly, terribly dangerous, even if the user is sitting still.

I know that sounds weird, but that strategy has worked very well for
certain other "safety" devices.

Singapore used a, perhaps unique, method of making phone use while
driving safer. they levy a fine of approximately 1/3 - 1/2 a working
man's monthly salary if they catch you doing it :-)

A pretty pragmatic bunch, they have used this type penalty for a
number of things; spitting on the sidewalks, peeing in elevators, not
flushing toilets in public lavatories, etc. You rarely read about
someone getting fined but the streets are clean and the elevators
don't smell bad :-)

--
Cheers,

John B.