The CrashDetech smartphone application (app) has won the South African stage of the global social entrepreneurship competition, which detects a collision and sends the precise location and patient information to emergency response services.
The app runs as a background process on smart devices and uses the accelerometers of the devices, abrupt changes in speed and additional systems to detect an impact, after which an emergency response alert is activated. The device’s exact location is also sent using global positioning system information.
The app was designed by CrashDetech founder Jaco Gerrits. The alert allows the nearest ambulance to be dispatched to the location, reducing emergency response times, and supplies paramedics with critical information such as patient details and medical insurance.
The Venture competition, sponsored by whisky brand Chivas Regal and managed by design publication Design Indaba, is open to start-up firms and aims to find and support promising aspiring social entrepreneurs trying to make a positive impact on the lives of others.
The competition enables social entrepreneurs worldwide to realise their potential and gain exposure for their business. Gerrits will attend the social entrepreneurship competition final in New York in July as one of 25 finalists with $1-million in prizes.
“CrashDetech has the potential to save lives by reducing emergency response times by pinpointing a vehicle-crash location in such potentially fatal incidences. We are confident that this innovative enterprise will represent South Africa well in the global round of the Venture competition,” says Chivas Regal head of marketing Sibusiso Shangase.
“Only the most promising start-up from each country were selected to become a global finalist and participate in The Venture’s Accelerator Week, in the UK, in April. During this event, the start-up companies receive training, business advice and mentoring from some of the most influential names in business.
“Each finalist start-up company will also receive global exposure before the New York City final,” he concludes.
Story highlights:
* Collision detection smart device app wins SA leg of social entrepreneurship start-up competition.
* CrashDetech will attend the UK accelerator week in April, and is one of the start-up finalists that will attend the New York final in July.