11-year-old wins $20k for creating app that deters people from texting while driving
A young software developer has created a new application designed to show people who text while driving that they’re barking up the wrong tree. Geek.com reports that 11-year-old Victoria Walker, with an assist from grown-up software designer David Grau, has designed an app called “Rode Dog” that makes incessant barking sounds at people who are using their smartphones in their car, and it won’t stop barking until they put their phones down. Geek.com says that the app recently won a $20,000 award from AT&T (T) as part of the carrier’s “It Can Wait” contest that offers prizes for developers who created apps that discourage texting while driving.
As far as functionality goes, the app lets users form groups with their friends to help police one another when it comes to texting and driving. If a friend suspects that someone in their group is sending them a message while in their car, they can order the app to start barking at the texter until he or she drops the phone. The app has been developed for Android, iOS and Windows Phone and is expected to launch later this year.
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