LAUNCHES • REVIEWS • MOTORSPORT
What’s the REV?
Industry snippets and quick news about
launches, reviews, motorsport
IBM Drives Innovation in South African Start Up Community
IBM has announced that its entrepreneur
programme is gaining momentum in
South Africa, driving innovation in the
South African start up community. This
programme has helped produce a new
vehicle alert system and mobile application
called “Road Buddy”. A first of a kind
road safety concept, the system and
mobile application are intended to address
the growing need for a more proactive
approach to road safety for road users.
Designed in collaboration with engineers
at the Council of Scientific and Industrial
Research (CSIR) and developed by some
of Cape Town’s best software designers,
Road Buddyworks by transmitting warning
signals from more vulnerable road user like
cyclists, motorists, joggers, emergency
vehicles and pedestrians, to motor vehicle,
trucks, emergency vehicles and busses.
The unique aspect of Road Buddy is that
it’s designed to facilitate a global send- and
-receive warning system to road users
anywhere in the world. This system is built
on new cloud computing technology that
enables the company to offer the service
on a global scale, and not be limited to
a single country or geography. “Working
with next generation entrepreneurs in
this programme we specifically look at
how we can use new technologies like
cloud computing and analytics to provide
solutions to important global issues –
including water, transportation, healthcare
and the environment.” says Clayton
Booysen, Ecosystem development manager
at IBM South Africa. “ In the case of Road
Buddy our Softlayer cloud platform not
only helps them get to market quickly but
potentially expands into a global market to
impact the way people live and work and
potentially prevent accidents on the road.”
Road Buddy was conceptualised in 2006,
by local entrepreneur Werner van der
Westhuizen, of EMEWS Vehicle Warning
Systems. The company’s launch iteration
of Road Buddy addresses the principle of
prevention. “Imagine if there was a way that
you could be warned that someone riding
a bicycle was approaching your car before
you could
see them,
or that an
ambulance was
approaching
at top speed
with a critical
patient.
➲ South African Invention - Road Buddy, warns
motorists of potential hazards like a child
unseen behind the car. This “proudly South
African” mobile app and system give road
users technology to be more aware of other
road users, and help save lives
This is what Road Buddy does” says van der
Westhuizen. The technology powering this
solution enables the dynamic transmitting
services and a range of other commuter
services designed to help the commuter
be more proactive in the urban commuting
system. Together with Google maps
technology Road Buddy allows for users
to send SOS stress messages to selected
friends and family members creating
responsiveness to emergency situations.
“The Road Buddy system is the first
invention to be powered by IBM’s SoftLayer
Cloud model in our market and programme.”
says Booysen. The model gives enterprise
quality cloud infrastructure as a service.
The model has all the IT bells and whistles
including optimization, efficiency, storage
and security at a scalable price point that
helps them grow.”
More information on IBM’s Global
Entrepreneur Programme: https://www304.ibm.com/partnerworld/wps/servlet/
ContentHandler/isv_com_smp_startup
More information on Road Buddy: www.
myroadbuddy.com
To download the Road Buddy App:
iOS: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/roadbuddy/id880947630?ls=1&mt=8
Android: https://play.google.com/store/
apps/details?id=com.par72.roadbuddy
Garmin Head-Up Display - Technology designed to keep
your eyes on the road
Garmin Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd has
announced Head-Up Display (HUD), the
company’s first portable head-up display
and latest in automotive technology. When
paired with a user’s Bluetooth-enabled
smartphone, HUD projects crisp and bright
navigational information and directions on
the windshield or an attached reflector lens.
The HUD combines functionality with
simplicity and was designed by Garmin to
keep driver’s hands on the wheel and eyes
on the road. HUD displays turn arrows,
which lane to be in, distance to the next
HUD works with the Garmin Navigon
Southern Africa Navigation app (Available
for Android and iPhone, sold separately).
HUD automatically adjusts the brightness
level, so the projections are clearly visible in
direct sunlight or at night.
| Wheels in Action
turn, speed limit, and current speed and
warns users of upcoming safety camera
locations, as well as estimated time of
arrival. “Garmin’s HUD interface has been
developed utilising an in-house driving
simulator that uses cameras to track the
driver’s eye movements. The interface
design is based on the time and cognitive
load required to perform a task with the
goal of minimising driver distraction.” says
Mathys Thompson, Garmin Southern Africa
Automotive category manager.
HUD is available through Makro at the retail
recommended price of R1999.00.
92
august 2014