The Man Behind Android Wants To Hand Out Free Dashcams
Outside of Russia, the dashcam uptake has been fairly slow and steady. Now, one man wants to change that by offering free dashcams, but he wants something in return - tin foil hat wearers need not apply.
According to an interview with Wired, Android co-founder Andy Rubin revealed that he is working on a dashcam idea, with the plan to give the product away for free in exchange for the data it collects as you drive.
The reason for doing this is mainly stemmed in the potential for building a real-time map of the world, like a more advanced version of Google Maps’ current system for analysing Android phone data to map traffic density. There’s also the possibility that the images captured on camera could be used to create a more up-to-date Street View equivalent.
Rubin is keeping quiet about what else he’s working on, but for those concerned that we’re hurtling towards a scary, interconnected, robot-filled world, he had this to say:
“I don’t believe in Skynet or any of that stuff,” he says. “I believe, in general, that technology is used for good.”
Comments
Could make for some funny moments considering the things you see driving around but your hands are occupied.
Imagine every new car factory fitted with dash cam. No need for cops. Your Infotainment system paird with factory dash cam… Each time you make some traffic violation you get ticket! Perfect!
Progressive insurance already does this..
They collect data about the car from the OBD port, and upload it on your insurance portfolio.. Once they see you brake hard, or take corners fast, or don’t stop completely at stop signs they jack your insurance through the roof..
All the while, they say they use the data to save you on car insurance..
Adjusts tin-foil hat
So you want real time footage of what’s happening pretty much anywhere in the world to be given presumably to some central database. Anyone’s movements could be tracked all over the world, anywhere where there’s a road. Nobody, especially a computer, should have access to this kind of information. It’s too powerful.
OP, please tell us where to sign in!
As someone who regularly goes over the speed limit (like most of us) I’ll say… NO THANKS.
He’s making the God’s eye!
No! I don’t like other people knowing the speeds I’m travelling at sometimes…..
Everyone at Google’s going to speak Russian in a few years
I’m in for a dash cam, would love people to see how they actually drive and how it affects the person they decide to cutoff, flip off, or “accidentally” hit then blame you, when it’s their fault. I like this idea, even if I don’t get one…I’ll gladly buy one and give home copies of the video!
I’ll stick to my current dashcam instead.