Automatic for Android puts safety first for drivers by silencing phone notifications while driving and sending crash alerts to authorities in case of an accident.
Distracted driving has received some serious attention over the past months, mainly due to the rising number of fatal accidents and injuries. Automatic, the smart driving assistant that carries out various functions including the safety of the driver and tips on fuel efficiency, has finally arrived on Google's Android platform after it was first launched on iOS last year. As the Android users had to wait longer than usual, the company is throwing in an exclusive feature.
The U.S. government has gone all out in ites efforts to curb texting or using phones while driving. But a recent study on highway crashes noted that the annual economic cost of accidents is nearly $46 billion and it adds up to $129 billion in societal harmy. While the attempts across the countries continue, Automatic is making itself useful in its own way. The new Android app, which was announced Tuesday, features a new "Do Not Disturb" mode in addition to the features found on its iOS counterpart.
"We all know we shouldn't use our phones when we drive. It's dangerous, and distracted driving causes over a million accidents every year. But when a message comes in, let's be honest, it's hard to resist," Duncan Carroll, one of the engineers at Automatic, said in an official blog post, Tuesday. "Automatic on Android can take the temptation away by silencing incoming texts, notifications, and phone calls when you drive."
The so-called "Do Not Disturb" feature basically directs drivers' attention more toward the road than the phone while driving. According to the company, the new Android-exclusive feature can also automatically respond to phone calls with a text message saying you're driving.
Automatic is a combination of a link accessory that sits under the car's steering wheel in the onboard diagnostics (OBD) port. Besides the safety features, the link accessory is helpful in detecting fuel, mileage and engine information and can use the same for giving some driving tips on how to save on gas. The device also updates information about the fuel prices and calculates the amount paid in a particular gas station by locating it using the phone's GPS tracking. The additional Link dongle from Automatic costs $99.95.
Other features available in Automatic for Android include crash alerts that will notify the authorities in case of a crash and it also reminds users of the parking location of the car.
The mobile app version 1.0 is available for download for free from Google Play Store.
