BEEP! I'm Saving Your Life!
Have you ever fallen asleep while driving? Are you prone to nodding off and awakening to oncoming traffic?
If the answers are "Yes," you might want to get one of this Drowse Prevention Alarm.
When you stick it in your ear and tilt your head more than 10 degrees, the alarm will sound off. Hopefully, you will wake up just in time to save your life and many others' life. This device has a high and low volume setting. You can arrange it wisely to reduce the chances of accidents and casualties.
In fact, this device is only available in Japan for now at 1500 Yen (Approx. US$12) each. If you are interested to buy one, you might want to check with Revex to see if you can purchase it online internationally or not. (Product Page here.)
Sources:
1) http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/05/drowse-prevention-alarm-startles-drivers-prevents-accidents/
2) http://www.plasticbamboo.com/2007/03/04/drowse-prevention-alarm/
Any Future Potentials?
Well, this device might seem to be a toy to many people, but what if it becomes part of your Bluetooth handsfree devices? Will it sound more attractive to own one? If so, accidents in California or the United States, or even Worldwide would have a greater chance to be minimized if people will try this additional feature while an additional off-low-high switch is all it takes.
Furthermore, I am thinking if this Drowse Prevention Alarm has WiFi or RFID technology equipped, drivers nearby can be alerted too. This can be rather helpful to prevent accidents by keeping a distance from sleepy or careless drivers.
If this device cannot help you to stay awake, carpool with your friends or take public transportations.
2 comments:
Haha I think this stuff is really interesting, and I definitely think it's useful, especially I had some experience sitting in my friend's car on a long distance journey and all of us were falling asleep. It was really dangerous... but isn't 10 degrees a small amount? I would imagine it beeping due to a slight movement of the head.
Just to clarify: this device from Revex is available only in Japan right now, but devices similar to this have existed for years. I got one off of ebay for less than $10 (type in drowse alarm in ebay to see) and it's kept me awake a few times on my midnight trips home from Vegas. Mine doesn't have a low setting, and a couple of times I've swerved after being rudely awakened, so use the low setting if you get this.
I think you've pointed out a good target for digital convergence, but I highly doubt this can ever be used to notify other cars. This would be a breach of privacy, because if the insurance companies ever found a way to collect this information they'd surely raise my premium! Not to mention all the road rage people who would use their horns to scare people.
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