Idea for an app... Notify friend or family with location when overdue

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pwapwap

103 posts

Master Geek

#98738 5-Mar-2012 20:30

Hey y'all

I had an idea for an app the other day and I can't find anything on the market. The idea would be you could set it before you go for a dive/hike etc. and it would help keep you safe.

Basically,

you set a countdown timer (or time/date) with what time you expect to be back, text field for what your are doing & contact picker for who you trust with your life
a countdown timer & deactivate button are displayed
once the time passes an alarm goes off on your phone to attract your attention to the app/phone
if not deactivated for say 15, 20, 30 min then sends Lat & Long coordinates to your nominated contact saying I expected to get back XX min ago, I was doing XXX, and this is where my phone is. Please come find me!

Limitations/problems I can see

You lose your phone while hiking, are safe but they send in the cavalry
You go somewhere where there is no signal and so the app can't send a message

Anyone out there with skills think this is a good idea? I would be keen to make this a reality? I would prefer to keep it free with ads for some small revs to pay you for your skills.

gzt

17104 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#590892 5-Mar-2012 21:25

pwapwap: Limitations/problems I can see You lose your phone while hiking, are safe but they send in the cavalry You go somewhere where there is no signal and so the app can't send a message

For these reasons a website + an app interface for / starting an activity / checking off waypoints where possible / and then home safe / would do the job more effectively.

At present someone has to check the visitors and plans book at DOC huts to determine the last known point prior to a search, so where it is available additional last known point info (including GPS) provided by an app would be useful.

Same applies for the coast guard, all they get at present is leaving time (given over phone or usually VHF) and your expected return time, then they go looking for you if you don't call back.

Also might be nice if SAR carried open WIFI and the app had an emergency button to change the device name to "SOS SOS" or whatever. Can be very difficult for SAR to even know when they are within a hundred meters of a search target in many conditions.

pwapwap

103 posts

Master Geek

#590898 5-Mar-2012 21:36

Some good ideas, although sounds like lots more dev work would be involved in building website etc as well.

Wifi idea is good!

redjet

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#590905 5-Mar-2012 21:44

There are quite a few fitness apps that do something similar.

I use Runkeeper which is free, but for US$20 per year you get real-time tracking on your iPhone or Android device. You can share the feed of your activity with friends and family. They can then view where you are on your run, walk, hike, etc and even see where you are heading if you have selected a pre-defined route.

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loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#590957 5-Mar-2012 22:55

google.com/latitude/

Is already on all androids and is free. Switch on location sharing when you leave switch off when you want to disappear.

Also supports check-ins so you can let everybody know when you've made it.

Has location history too so you can see where you/they've been.

scottjpalmer

5973 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

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Lifetime subscriber

#590962 5-Mar-2012 23:05

redjet: There are quite a few fitness apps that do something similar.

I use Runkeeper which is free, but for US$20 per year you get real-time tracking on your iPhone or Android device. You can share the feed of your activity with friends and family. They can then view where you are on your run, walk, hike, etc and even see where you are heading if you have selected a pre-defined route.

Google Latitude does location trackling for free provided you have cell/gps reception . . .

See http://www.scottjpalmer.com/7948

But yes, the countdown timer etc is a cool idea

pwapwap

103 posts

Master Geek

#872346 5-Aug-2013 20:28

Looks like someone has made a iphone version. Out today.

Pity I am on winphone now so will have no hope of actually using it.

Check out http://www.stuff.co.nz/technology/digital-living/9001574/App-gets-users-home-safe