Tech startup offers new smart road safety platform

Bangalore-based startup Elsys Intelligent Devices has launched Raksha SafeDrive, a smart road safety platform.

Raksha SafeDrive is enabled by electronics, Internet of Things (IoT), telecommunications and cloud technology. The platform involves SafeDrive – an innovative IoT car gadget connected to RakshaNet – a network of emergency services. 

SafeDrive has automatic crash detection capabilities and will alert the command centre with the location and an initial assessment of the crash for effective management of emergency services. This standalone IoT device also works as smart panic button, capable of GPS tracking, reporting telemetrics and improving driving behaviour.

In case of an emergency, SafeDrive will open a communication channel, at the touch of a button between the people necessary to effectively manage the situation. This may include family, friends, first responders, ambulance, hospital, police, insurance provider and roadside assistance.  

Commenting on the new launch Prasad Pillai, co-founder, Elsys, said, "We've spent the last two years indigenously designing and making SafeDrive cool, affordable and compatible with most cars running on Indian roads. We believe that ours is a true 'Make-In-India' effort to address a global hard-pressing problem."

Raksha SafeDrive has been launched as a technology campaign on KickStarter – the world's most popular crowdfunding platform to bring creative projects to life. The campaign requires at least few hundred backers (pre-orders) to pilot the platform nationwide.

Road accidents have been a global epidemic and a leading cause of injury, disability and untimely death across the world. It is estimated that by 2030, road accidents will be the fifth leading cause of deaths worldwide.

India is among the nations with highest number of road fatalities. Citing the statistics shared by the union government, Elsys said Indian roads witness 55 accidents every hour and one untimely death every 4 minutes. A third of all the people dying belong to the age group 15-25 years and it is estimated that road accidents cost India 3 percent of its GDP.

In India, traditional measures to make roads safer have largely been about making stringent rules and levying higher penalties. However, Elsys aspires to apply technology to make adoption of road safety & compliance 'Cool' and incentivize good driving behaviour.

Jayanth Jagadeesh, co-founder, Elsys, said, "Internet and crowd funding platforms have been successful globally in bringing out disruptive products and transforming the way of life. We hope that our campaign will spark mainstream discussions and bring together various stakeholders required to make our roads safer."

Raksha SafeDrive has incorporated the best practices outlined in the United Nations resolution on ‘Improving Global Road Safety’ as well as government of India's proposed ‘Road Transport & Safety Bill 2014.

Elsys been bootstrapped by the founders and is now seeking strategic investments and mentors to accelerate the building of nation-wide Smart Road Safety Platform.

Also read: The statistics of road accidents in India