Market Analysis and Research.

Product Name & Developer:

Technology and System to Prevent Road Accidents Caused by Phone Usage

Fintan Kelly

S86706

Abstract:

What's its purpose?

To save lives and prevent road accidents by drivers using their phones.

How does it benefit society?

The World Health Organization has done research over the last number of years and has stated that one in four accidents are caused by people using mobile phones while driving. The U.S. Department of Transportation say that in the last year alone 3,154 people died and another 424,000 were injured in motor vehicle crashes caused by drivers who were distracted because they were texting or using cell phones. Hundreds of thousands are being injured costing the economy billions of dollars".

It is becoming more dangerous than speeding and drink driving or not wearing a safety belt.

Countries all over the world are trying to find a solution to this problem and here it is.

What does it do?

A mobile phone sensing device is installed above the driver's head. Before setting off the sensor unit sends a beep to remind the driver to switch off the phone or move it out of reach of the sensing zone of the unit. The sensing zone is about .3 metre around the driver and if the driver receives/sends a text or call on the phone the unit emits a beeping signal for the driver to cease doing so. The bleeping sound increases in magnitude and stops the driver from accepting a call. Should the driver ignore the warning after 2 seconds the hazard lights of the vehicle turn on to warn other road users that the driver is being distracted. Police authorities will also be able to see the violation. The warning beep and hazard lights stop as soon as the driver quits using the mobile phone. The device can be fitted in all forms of transport such as buses and Lorries. Passengers can still use their phones once they do not cross the sensing zone.

So basically, it deters the driver from using a mobile phone while driving.

What are the positive / negative attributes? The device itself is compact in size, easy to manufacture and can be fitted during manufacture or retrofitted to existing vehicles. Just like the wearing of seat belts it may be frowned upon socially, but the loss of life cannot be ignored much longer. Many people have had at least one relation involved in a road accident.

Industry analysis.

● Is the industry seasonal? Does the majority of business operations take place during only part of the year? No, this technology is year round. Safety devices for automobiles are not seasonal.

● Is the industry subject to certain regulations? What are they? There are slight regulations for automobile production, especially on an industrial level, but there is little regulation in small devices used in consumer vehicles. Therefore, there are almost no regulations for a product like this.

● Is the industry sensitive to economic fluctuations? This industry, as long as the devices are installed by the manufacturer in the automobiles, is not sensitive to economic fluctuations. Automobile manufacturing is often in high demand. ● Is the industry growing? Yes, as accidents from cell phone use become more and more common, the technology to stop them is too.

● What are the technological changes ongoing in the industry? There are more laws put in place, but never technological devices that work physically to deter use.

● Can you define your market clearly? Who are your potential customers in the market? Yes, car manufacturers or device manufacturers (electronics producers).

● What is the size of the market in terms of number of potential customers and revenue? Not much is known about the financial side of cell phone deterrents because it is a new market, but there is a definite market based on the amount of accidents.

The National Safety Council reports that cell phone use while driving leads to 1.6 million crashes each year. Nearly 330,000 injuries occur each year from accidents caused by texting while driving. 1 out of every 4 car accidents in the United States is caused by texting and driving.

Number of vehicles on roads worldwide at present > 1Billion .

Number of vehicles on U.S. roads >240 million.

Seasonal analysis

● 2016 PRODUCTION STATISTICS Country Cars Commercial vehicles Total % change Total 72,105,435 22,871,134 94,976,569 4.5% Argentina 241,315 231,461 472,776 -10.2% Australia 149,000 12,294 161,294 -6.8% Austria 90,000 18,000 108,000 -10.9% Belgium 354,003 45,424 399,427 -2.4% Brazil 1,778,464 377,892 2,156,356 -11.2% Canada 802,057 1,568,214 2,370,271 3.8% China 24,420,744 3,698,050 28,118,794 14.5% Czech Rep. 1,344,182 5,714 1,349,896 8.3% Egypt 10,930 25,300 36,230 0.6% Finland 55,280 0 55,280 -19.9% France 1,626,000 456,000 2,082,000 5.6% Germany 5,746,808 315,754 6,062,562 0.5% Hungary 472,000 0 472,000 -4.7% India 3,677,605 811,360 4,488,965 7.9% Indonesia 968,101 209,288 1,177,389 7.2% Iran 1,074,000 90,710 1,164,710 18.6% Italy 713,182 390,334 1,103,516 8.8% Japan 7,873,886 1,330,704 9,204,590 -0.8% Malaysia 469,720 43,725 513,445 -16.5% Mexico 1,993,168 1,604,294 3,597,462 0.9% Country Cars Commercial vehicles Total % change Netherlands 42,150 2,280 44,430 0.7% Poland 554,600 127,237 681,837 3.2% Portugal 99,200 43,896 143,096 -8.6% Romania 358,861 445 359,306 -7.2% Russia 1,124,774 179,215 1,303,989 -5.4% Serbia 79,360 960 80,320 -4.0% Slovakia 1,040,000 0 1,040,000 0.1% Slovenia 133,702 0 133,702 0.5% South Africa 335,539 263,465 599,004 -2.7% South Korea 3,859,991 368,518 4,228,509 -7.2% Spain 2,354,117 531,805 2,885,922 5.6% Sweden 205,374 N.A. 205,374 8.7% Taiwan 251,096 58,435 309,531 -11.8% Thailand 805,033 1,139,384 1,944,417 1.8% Turkey 950,888 535,039 1,485,927 9.4% Ukraine 4,340 924 5,264 -36.1% UK 1,722,698 93,924 1,816,622 8.0% USA 3,934,357 8,263,780 12,198,137 0.8% Uzbekistan 88,152 0 88,152 -52.5% Others 781,708 138,454 920,162 10.6%

Regional analysis

Prior Art

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