Mike Fahnert, CEO of Safe Driving Systems
Utah-based Safe Driving Systems has spent over a year developing a technology that reduces cell phone usage while driving. Their core product, Key2SafeDriving, has now officially launched. We caught up with Mike Fahnert, CEO of Safe Driving Systems, to learn more about his company and their life-saving technology.
Silicon Slopes: Can you give me some background on Safe Driving Systems and your products?
Mike Fahnert: Founded in 2009, Safe Driving Systems utilizes technology originally developed at the University of Utah to prevent distracted driving. Our first product, Key2SafeDriving, is a profile-driven and contextually aware system that eliminates distracted driving caused by mobile phone use by rerouting incoming calls and text messages, and preventing outgoing calls and texts. Key2SafeDriving is currently available for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian powered smartphones.
Silicon Slopes: What does your product, Key2SafeDriving, do?
Mike Fahnert: Key2SafeDriving is an easy to install mobile phone application and hardware activator that installs in the vehicle in minutes without tools. Activated when the car starts, Key2SafeDriving automatically puts the phone into Safe Driving Mode™, disabling its ability to send or receive calls or text messages. It monitors, reports and regulates mobile phone activity while driving. Incoming calls go directly to voicemail and incoming text messages are stored. Automated replies may be sent indicating the recipient is driving and will respond later. Emergency call functionality is always enabled while the phone is in Safe Driving Mode, allowing the person to place emergency 911 or other pre-determined phone calls.
Silicon Slopes: Who are target customers?
Mike Fahnert: We are targeting families and fleets. Primarily this includes parents of teenagers and any organization that wants to mitigate the risks and costs associated with accidents caused by mobile phone distraction.
Silicon Slopes: What are some differentiators between Key2SafeDriving and your competitors?
Mike Fahnert: The majority of our competitors are software-only solutions that require GPS or cell tower triangulation. Though these products are relatively cheap, they are less effective since they have no concept of context and have shown to be a significant drain on the mobile phone battery. Key2SafeDriving uses a hardware Activator and mobile phone software to accurately determine if you are driving and if you are our software enforces your mobile phone use policy, which by default prevents you from receiving or sending calls, texts or email.
Silicon Slopes: Why is a technology like yours important?
Mike Fahnert: A recent study by Virginia Tech estimated 80 percent of all automobile accidents are caused by some form of driver distraction, with mobile phone use listed as the top source. Regardless of whether you are texting or dialing a phone number, you increase your risk for an accident. Key2SafeDriving’s technology offers the best solution for eliminating the distraction from mobile phones using the hardware and software combination to activate immediately when the key is placed in the ignition. With Key2SafeDriving, parents have peace of mind while their teenagers are behind the wheel and businesses are able to protect their investments.
Silicon Slopes: What are your future plans for the company?
Mike Fahnert: Safe Driving Systems’ mission is to prevent distraction related fatalities, accidents, injuries and costs associated with the use of mobile phones, ultimately creating a safer driving environment for everyone. We released version 1.0 of Key2SafeDriving in March of 2010 and will release a web-enabled version, 2.0, in Q3 of 2010.
Key2SafeDriving is built on industry standards and designed to be a technology platform that can be used in many environments to enforce mobile phone policy. Our Activator technology can be embedded in other Bluetooth, wifi or RFID products to provide context to our mobile phone software. Our software them enforces policy based on user profile and the context provided by the Activator. We envision it being used in locations such as schools, state or federal buildings, theaters, etc.
Silicon Slopes: How is your company funded?
Mike Fahnert: Safe Driving Systems is a privately-held Utah company. Our initial angel round of funding was done through Accendo, LLC of Kaysville, Utah.
