TECH

Got a "friendly" message to give the driver back? There is already a gadget for this

The lack of patience is a constant in the traffic that congests the routine of the drivers and, consequently, is also constant the desire to alleviate the tension with a less sympathetic word addressed to a neighbor of road. Wei Cheng Chou knows this. The engineer, a former design student at the ArtCenter College of Design, has developed a display that has the ability to display messages to the cars around him. The gadget has, however, a more pacifying purpose, since the author has restricted the content of these phrases to the friendly tip of the spectrum.CarWink, as it is called, is a reflection of Japanese culture, as Chou explains. It is the materialization of respect, a demonstration very necessary in the USA, because everyone has a weapon. The gadget integrates a round screen, 5 inches, where were embedded 480 LEDs. On top is a small solar panel, which should be enough to keep the battery charged - if it is not, there is also a USB port through which you can charge the device.
In addition to messages, which include friendly suggestions and alerts like "Thank you," "Slow down," or "I need help," CarWink can also be used to display some emojis. The pedestrian crossing the road, for example, may be useful to indicate why you have been standing in front of a treadmill for so long, when the car behind you starts beeping. In addition, you may also choose to show the "heart" or "cat flashing eye". The final version will have access to a catalog of 50 possible images.
Chou also said that users will be able to submit requests for the addition of other messages or emojis, but warns that it will "block very offensive or provocative proposals." And note that even before you start posting your first orders, Chou has already received numerous requests to add the "middle finger" to the list of supported images.

More importantly, you have to use your smartphone to activate these messages - thanks to a Bluetooth sensor, it will be possible to pair both devices. Chou also developed an application that facilitates the whole process of display management and added support for voice commands to prevent users from handling the phone while driving.
Although it has already exceeded the established goal, CarWink is still in the funding phase in IndieGogo. First customers will be able to purchase a unit for $ 92.

Sapo