Texting while driving? There’s an algorithm to stop you doing it

Tec researchers, together with undergraduate, PhD, and postdoctoral students, are working on an algorithm capable of detecting when people are writing messages on their cellphones while driving and deactivating them.

“Many people text while driving, causing a great many car accidents. We want to improve peoples’ quality of life.

“Smart devices can detect when you make typing mistakes, but do they realize you made those mistakes because you’re driving?”, asked Dr. Pedro Ponce, project leader.

Researchers from the School of Engineering and Sciences are using artificial neural networks in order to detect when people use cellphones while driving and deactivate the application being used.

The algorithm works on the same seismological principles that trigger the appearance and spread of seismic waves in an earthquake. It was developed after the September 19 earthquake in Mexico City.

Researchers Pedro Ponce and Arturo Molina, who are in charge of this project, work every day on developing technologies and creating new products.

“We do the inventive part of setting new trends that gradually come onto the market.

“All universities should create products and involve students, but we’re among the few universities in Mexico that do so,” said researcher Ponce.

This algorithm has been patented in the United States and is currently for sale to be used in developing applications for smartphones.

The Tec researchers have written books such as Intelligent Control Systems with LabVIEW ™, Power System Fundamentals, and many more, so that anyone wanting to create an app with this algorithm could learn to use it.

No one would have thought that cellphones could cause accidents, but now that they do, these experts are looking for alternatives to correct this and protect the community.

You can go here to obtain the artificial intelligence tools used to create the algorithm.

YOU’LL SURELY WANT TO READ THIS TOO: