One of the reasons why Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and several other infotainment-based services are currently emerging is due to the issue of road safety. Sure, our smartphones offer a wealth of information at our fingertips, but when we’re driving, we can no longer use them. Of course, some folks like to flout the law and put the lives of themselves and others at risk, but for the most part, the tech industry is looking for a middle-ground whereby folks and digitally engage without compromising safety. An interesting new dashboard-ready gadget attempts to achieve exactly this, beaming notifications and other useful info to drivers who can still maintain focus on the road.
Despite it being generally accepted that mobile phones are hazardous when used by those behind the wheel, it’s fair to say that at their current duration, so are many satnav-type devices. Often, there’s no law as to where the satnav must be placed within an automobile, and as such, many drivers will readily look down – away from the road – in order to find out where they’re meant to be headed.
With the Navdy, though, this could all change. The innovative gadget is perched atop the dashboard, and connects with a mobile device to pus all manner of information to within the driver’s line-of-sight.
The transparency of the 5.1-inch display means it’s relatively inconspicuous, and if a driver wishes to ignore it, it wouldn’t be too much of an issue. It works harmoniously with iOS and Android devices to deliver notifications on-the-fly, and should the driver wish to then respond, they could do so using voice commands or hand gestures.
The great thing about Navdy is that it can be configured to your precise requirements. Using the companion app, you can set it so that only important notifications are pushed your way whilst driving, which makes a great deal of sense. After all, given the clear dangers of driving a car around with people running around a lot of the time, Instagram “likes” should probably wait until after a journey has been completed, with this kind of tech seemingly more useful for critical work emails or family-related correspondence.
Although a start-up, there’s no Kickstarter or IndieGogo here, with those behind Navdy raising $60,000 through other means, but if you are interested in the product, you can preorder now for $300 and expect delivery early next year.
If you’re interest has been duly piqued, point your browser to navdy.com, and if you’re still on the fence, you might want to have a look at the demo clip:
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