I just learned from the MHTA (Minnesota High Tech Association) newsletter that research developed at the University of Minnesota is being used in a new mobile app intended to help kids become better drivers…

The technology behind DriveScribe has been licensed exclusively to Drive Power by the University of Minnesota’s Office for Technology Commercialization. Developed by U mechanical engineering researchers, DriveScribe combines several functions to promote safe driving. It provides real-time driver feedback and blocks phone calls, emails and text messages while the vehicles is in operation. The app will also notify parents of traffic violations and log activity to a web portal for later review.

Ironic that a cell phone can help someone drive better. I like the idea of fighting fire with fire – and while I suspect that tech savvy teens may find a way around it – I think that if they’re smart they won’t. And of course danger of losing car privileges is a big incentive to be smart, as I recall. The article goes on to say that while this app is starting with the teen driving market, there are other areas for them to grow…

DrvieScribe will likely expand beyond the teen market to help senior drivers, commercial vehicle fleets and insurance companies. For now, it uses social comparisons, points and rewards and a sophisticated scoring system to quantify the attributes of safe driving. It is known as the Safe Driver Score.