Toyota creates emergency mobile network for Landcruiser owners
Mobile beacons are being trialed with the help of Flinders University
Saatchi & Saatchi has created an emergency mobile phone network that uses Landcruisers as beacons to transit messages in what it is claiming is pioneering technology.
The project, which has been developed in partnership with Flinders University, aims to capitalise on the high ownership of Landcruisers in rural and remote areas where mobile phone coverage is often non-existent.
Toyota claims that in some towns up to 90% of residents own a Landcruiser and that 65% of Australia is without reliable mobile phone coverage.
This is excellent, really, really good. Well done to all involved. Wish I had been a part of it.
It’s a simple plug and play device says the ad. So how is it restricted to land cruisers?
Also it’s a lifesaving device surely it should be available to all who live in the bush not just Toyota drivers. Or is it as the lady in the ad says, “We look after our own”.
Clearly, there’s a cost involved and Toyota might rightly argue that those who have purchased Landcruisers have contributed to that cost. Perhaps non-Lancruiser owners could be charged a fee for the use of the service.
Not a new idea in terms of tech.
Not in commercial production.
Not tech invented by the agency.
No data despite being launched since August 2015.
Not useful for the 35% that live in areas with no reception.
Not useful for an extended period of time.
No coverage apart from in the ad press.
So what was the role of Saatchi & Saatchi in this? Sorry, this smells like awards bait.
FFS it is like people find it too difficult to actually increase clients’ sales, so we come up diversions. Are we that scared of advertising? Can we please get over this guilt, start being proud about creating ads that sell stuff, or get out.
Anyone have any tech details on this? It seems to be kind of like FireChat but specialised. I am surprised they didn’t simplify it by just making an app for smartphones to allow someone to send distress messages incl gps locations via a mesh of phones that may be nearby, both displaying the distress message for the nearby phone, and storing the message allowing it to be passed on to other receivers or the mobile network. The ability to get it out to the public would be faster. The likelihood of a nearby car having the app would be higher. I still think EPIRBs are more reliable having satellite based receivers monitored by RCC Australia.