Alexandra Mann writes for No Camels.If you’ve ever been yelled at for using your phone while driving (and let’s be
honest, who hasn’t) now is your time to feel vindicated. A new iPhone app,
called Drivia, says it is not only safe for driving, but will actually make your
driving safer.
Drivia is an interactive, voice activated trivia game
application that is designed to keep drivers awake and safe. Drivia takes care
of the driver, making sure he stays alert towards the game, and most
importantly, the road. Once the app’s fired up, it will ask you multiple choice
questions and you simply shout out “One!”, “Two!” or “Three!” when prompted. If
you’re unresponsive for a period of time, the app quickly and persistently
pesters you with questions and beeps with the aim of keeping you
awake.
Drivia was invented by two friends who both had
experiences with sleepy drivers. Israeli Eldad Ben-Tora was on his way home one
night when the driver in front of him started to doze off and almost crashed
into a car in the opposite lane. Meanwhile in Australia, Assaf Mayer Yitzhaki
was on a 9-hour bus trip with a sleepy driver who stayed awake by shouting out
answers to a quiz show on the radio.
When the two heard that a majority
of road accidents happen because of driver fatigue or lack of focus, they
decided to launch an application that would not only make the driver safer, but
also keep him or her entertained and engaged. The app offers many different
trivia categories that can appeal to different drivers, from history, to sports
and music.
When turning on the app, users are asked to divulge their
level of tiredness, from “awake” to “pretty tired” and “dead tired.” The content
of the trivia game, as well as the interval between questions and volume,
depends on the driver’s fatigue. If a driver responds too slowly, the app emits
pre-recorded messages to engage the driver, as well as loud sounds, until the
driver is responsive again.
Drivia is a free app available in the
AppStore in English, Basque, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Japanese, Korean
and Vietnamese. However, music and sports quizzes cost $0.99
each.
Drivia’s founders say they are planning to launch an android and
Windows Mobile version, as well as an added feature displaying rest stops.
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