Telit’s cellular and GNSS Internet of Things (IoT) modules will integrate Yon Motor, a new product from Nastek Indústria e Tecnologia, bringing to market a tiny vehicle tracker with a user-friendly mobile app. Besides vehicle security, speed is a top concerns for parents of teenage drivers. Yon Motor targets this market, delivering real-time location and speed data to a smartphone app along with a number of vehicle security features.
The innovative project was developed in partnership with Telit. The company’s GL865-QUAD and SL871 GPS modules are integrated in the miniature Yon Motor to deliver machine-to-machine communication and location awareness respectively. The free Yon Motor mobile app is available for download in iOS and Android.
“What parent would not want to know about their children’s night out or would not sleep better knowing that they are respecting speed limits? The idea of Yon Motor was to create something that could get people closer through Internet of Things,” says Lauro Cruz, CTO, Nastek. The Yon Motor tracker was built with latest generation technology. Moreover, the solution is lightweight and waterproof, permitting parents to secure it to any motor vehicle.
“The Yon mobile app lets users follow vehicle movements in real time and can be downloaded for free to a smartphone. The tracker helps combat car accidents involving young people, since parents have full visibility of their children’s driving speeds and the routes they take,” Cruz said.
Two new products have found ways to turn smartphones into personal protection devices. One of the two products includes a wearable monitor.
Photo: First Sign Technologies
Mace Wear Pod
The Mace Wear Pod uses a wearable device in conjunction with a smartphone app. First Sign Technologies, in partnership with Mace Wear, has launched the Mace Wear Pod, which acts as a personal security system against violent crimes. At the first sign of a violent attack, an assault alarm is activated and the speaker lets the attacker know that evidence has been collected and help is on the way. The device automatically begins to collect evidence, take photos, and call for help, which will help identify, apprehend, prosecute and deter attackers, the makers say.
The Mace Wear Pod can be worn in five ways as a headband, wristband, key chain, belt clip and pendant. For those not wearing the pod, the mobile app, which can be downloaded on iPhone and Android, can also be activated in three ways, by hitting the alert button, by shaking your phone, or by setting a time to check-in — the alarm is activated if the check in doesn’t take place.
First Sign Technologies was launched in January 2014. Following a successful crowd-funding campaign, the product is now available with one year of monitoring service for $120.
“There is a demand for personal protection and with the advances in wearable technology, we want to create products that give peace of mind,” said First Sign President Rachel Emanuele. “Mace is an ideal partner to help us expand our product line and help promote safety to all who seek it.”
The products are expected to be available in more than 1,000 stores such as Dick’s Sporting Goods, Sports Authority and Sears. Demonstration videos are posted here.
Photo: STOP-ATTACK
STOP-ATTACK
Another new app launching this month, STOP-ATTACK, uses smartphone technology to send alerts in case of bullying or harassment. STOP-ATTACK, available on both Android and Apple platforms, records audio and video evidence and alerts contacts of trouble in a matter of seconds, sending GPS coordinates to a designated Panic List and first responders.
“We need to stop the senseless violence and assaults in this world,” said Anthony “Tony” Bright, the creator of STOP-ATTACK. “Our hope is that STOP-ATTACK.com will be a powerful tool in this struggle. The app has been developed with simplicity as a core feature, so that even younger children can be protected, giving parents much-needed peace of mind.” The CEO will be presenting the STOP-ATTACK app at the Pre-Grammy Awards VIP Gift Lounge and The Oscars Gift Lounge hosted by GBK productions this February.
The app can be downloaded in the Google Play or iTunes store, and is available for free now until Feb. 8, 2015.
STOP-ATTACK users will be able to customize many aspects of the app, such as creating a “Panic List” of people for the app to contact in an emergency, from friends and family to local first responders. When a user activates STOP-ATTACK, the app instantly begins recording live audio and video and uploading the stream to the cloud. Panic List contacts and designated first responders are notified immediately or after a brief, user-determined delay. The app will send the contacts a link with the GPS location and the recording of the incident.
A hot key allows for quick and discrete activation of the STOP-ATTACK app. For instance, a bully need not know they’re being recorded until presented with the evidence by a school authority. On the other hand, it’s sometimes advantageous to let everyone know that STOP-ATTACK is recording; users can choose for the app to play an alarm sound and turn on the camera light when activated, a strong deterrent to a would-be attacker.
The developers of STOP-ATTACK have created a pair of explainer videos to showcase exactly how the app works in typical usage scenarios: “Always Be Prepared,” “Bullying.”
HX Global’s new Travel Oracle mobile app provides an instant lifeline for business travelers and expatriate employees as well as access to critical information and support, before and during their travels, the company said. Key features include an instantly accessible Mayday call, automated personal tracking, online storage of all travel documents, instant news reports of unrest pushed to impacted travelers, e-learning travel security certification and destination profiles.
“Duty of Care requires that measures be taken to protect employees and Travel Oracle accomplishes that,” said Gregory Cain, president of HX Global. “Emergencies can strike at any time. On average, we airlift six medical emergency cases every day and respond to more than 450,000 assistance calls every year. The Travel Oracle app provides a safety net for employees and employers to provide protection for security issues and medical emergencies.”
“Traveler tracking systems have provided travelers and corporations with peace of mind over the years, but they have significant limitations,” said Dave Sarafinas, managing director and senior vice president of HX Global. “Travel Oracle overcomes those limitations by making traveler tracking personal and proactive. This new tool helps corporations provide end-to-end travel security.”
Travel Oracle leverages eLearning, live personal tracking and situational awareness to drive traveler empowerment. Combined with HX Global’s global capabilities and resources in the event of an emergency, a Travel Oracle traveler will be safer, and employers have the confidence that they have exceeded duty of care responsibilities. Key features include:
Emergency Call Function – calls are instantly sent to a 24/7 Command Center
Mayday Alert-Personal Tracking – alerts nominated contacts of traveler whereabouts via email, takes situational photographs, sends an audio recording and current GPS location, if pre-authorized
Online Personal Profile & Documents – online storage of travel documents and photographs
News Alerts and Live Support – global incident monitoring service with real-time country alerts sent directly to employee mobile devices. Access to 24/7 Emergency Assistance Helpdesk
e-Learning – travel safety courses, including certification upon successful completion
Country Profiles – comprehensive country briefings on over 200 countries including country risks and cultural differences
“Family,” a new app by GPS navigation software company Sygic, is designed to help parents keep their children safe and simplify the way families stay in touch. The app is now live on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
The app shows the real-time location of all the family members on the map. It allows parents to set up Safe / Unsafe zones and sends automatic notifications when kids enter or leave a zone. Geofence is useful for one-time notification when users enter certain areas. Augmented reality shows family members in the real surroundings — for example, if kids are running around in a park. Navigation to the family member’s location can be launched from within the app. The app also features free family messaging.
“We wanted to create an app that will help its users in their everyday life,” said Sygic’s CEO Michal Stencl. “As parents we want to raise our children to be self-reliant but we also need to have confidence that they are safe. Family by Sygic gives parents this peace of mind, while kids will appreciate that parents don’t feel the need to call them all the time to check where they are.”
The app is free until January 31st on Google Play and App Store. Afterward, the price will be 2.99 Euro per year/family.
