Regis Faculty Member Helps Develop a Mobile App to Curb Texting While Driving

By on March 18, 2011 in Computer Science

Texting while driving has caused many accidents and sprouted campaigns to curb this behavior that plagues both teens and adults. Ed Harrold, a Regis University CPS affiliate faculty member, is part of a team of software application developers who created a mobile application (app) that stops texting while driving in its tracks. Literally.

The $2 Android app, SMS Sentinel, blocks text messages when the phone is in a moving automobile. When an incoming text is received, an optional automatic message is sent back saying “I am driving and will contact you soon.”

The idea originally came to Gary Thomas after he was nearly run off the road by other “texting while driving” person. He then invited Harrold, who works full-time for Who Me Mobile in St. Petersburg, and Justin Ruzinok to join him in the development of SMS Sentinel.

Since there are a number of similar mobile apps available, the three aimed to make SMS Sentinel the next-gen product. Although adults are guilty of texting while driving, the prevalence of this habit is within the teenage population.

Harrold, who is the father of two teenage sons, states in the St. Petersburg Times, “’The application was designed with teen drivers in mind.’ For an additional $5 per year, parents can subscribe to a website that will notify them when their teenager bypasses the application to send a text. The site also reports how fast the car was moving when a text was sent.

“’We tried to think of everything. The bypass feature is important because it allows people to text, say, if there’s a passenger in the car. But the parents will know.’”

In addition to the SMS Sentinel Android app, Harrold has developed four apps with Thomas and has several more apps in the works for iPhone, Android and BlackBerry.

Harrold holds a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from University of South Florida and a Master of Business Administration from Regis University. He has a comprehensive background in engineering and software development beginning with military cryptography and code interception, and spanning areas such as Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics, Robotics, Space and Aviation, and Micro-electronics.

Harrold joined Regis University CPS as an affiliate faculty member in the School of Computer and Information Sciences in 2004.

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  • http://www.plg-pllc.com Jason

    This is a great idea if it can be applied to all phones, not just androids. Not only would the app prevent texting while driving, the fact that the parents can find out further deters teens from doing it. I created an organization called Teens Against Distracted Driving to help educate younger drivers about the dangers of distracted driving. This is a great tool to help prevent tragic accidents that come from texting while driving.

    • http://cps.regis.edu/ CPS Admin

      Hi Jason,

      Thanks so much for your input and additional information on your organization. According to the Morpheus website (http://www.morpheustechapps.com/apps.php), the maker of the app, “More iPhone and Android Applications are cooking in our code kitchen.” There doesn’t seem to be information on the release date but there is a contact email address on the website.