Just a reminder. ICBC, Insurance Company of British Columbia, was to begin a three-month testing of a distracted driving app beginning in March. Testing is to be completed by Spring. According to a March 2nd news release testing began as scheduled; so, should be complete by the end of May.
Originally ICBC was going to test several apps, but later decided that there was only one app that met their criteria for expected results.
The app being tested works in conjunction with a hardware device. At the time the app was selected for testing there were only two distracted driving apps available that employs a hardware device; bSafeMobile by Cogosense and one of our competitors. bSafeMobile uses bBeacon OBD-II/Bluetooth connector for hardware, a plug-in unit. The competitor uses a hardware unit that is attached to the windshield with adhesive tape.
We don’t know if bSafeMobile was the selected app for testing. Below are the reasons I believe it was bSafeMobile
In a 11/29/17 ICBC news release, 3nd link in the list below, states that the hardware unit of the app being tested plugs into a port in the vehicle. (not attached to the windshield)
On 11/29/17 Mr. Berman tweeted this link.
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-t...le-driving
During the time of the selection the competitor was being sued for patent infringement by Alert Signal Intellectual Property LLC. Suite was filed 11/28/17 and settled on 01/29/18; well after the time ICBC chose the app to test. If ICBC did proper due diligence this would have been a red flag.
From the 05/01 shareholder update which mentions insurance companies. “The company has also broken through the door at various Insurance companies, both here and abroad, and have in some cases proposals out to some of these entities. We are also in the process of setting up private label deals as we have created 3 new versions of our product with slight variances.”
It’s also a plus that Mr. Berman has proven to be able to produce product to meet demand. A final plus, both ICBC and Cogosense are Canadian companies; located just five miles from each other.
Link List:
09/06/17 Distracted driving results in more deaths in B.C. than impaired driving: ICBC
https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/...004120177/
11/06/17 B.C. to designate distracted driving as high-risk behavior under ICBC’s Driver Risk Premium program
https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/...004123260/
11/29/17 ICBC to test two new devices to deter distracted driving
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/icbc-...1.23107401
03/02/18 B.C.'s tougher penalties for distracted driving are now in effect
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/n...in_effect/
03/05/18 Government, ICBC, police up Distracted Driving enforcement
http://thenelsondaily.com/news/government-icb...uzzw0xFxZU
04/29/18 ICBC to cut distracted drivers loose
https://www.shopinsurancecanada.ca/blog/news/...ers-loose/
Originally ICBC was going to test several apps, but later decided that there was only one app that met their criteria for expected results.
The app being tested works in conjunction with a hardware device. At the time the app was selected for testing there were only two distracted driving apps available that employs a hardware device; bSafeMobile by Cogosense and one of our competitors. bSafeMobile uses bBeacon OBD-II/Bluetooth connector for hardware, a plug-in unit. The competitor uses a hardware unit that is attached to the windshield with adhesive tape.
We don’t know if bSafeMobile was the selected app for testing. Below are the reasons I believe it was bSafeMobile
In a 11/29/17 ICBC news release, 3nd link in the list below, states that the hardware unit of the app being tested plugs into a port in the vehicle. (not attached to the windshield)
On 11/29/17 Mr. Berman tweeted this link.
http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-t...le-driving
During the time of the selection the competitor was being sued for patent infringement by Alert Signal Intellectual Property LLC. Suite was filed 11/28/17 and settled on 01/29/18; well after the time ICBC chose the app to test. If ICBC did proper due diligence this would have been a red flag.
From the 05/01 shareholder update which mentions insurance companies. “The company has also broken through the door at various Insurance companies, both here and abroad, and have in some cases proposals out to some of these entities. We are also in the process of setting up private label deals as we have created 3 new versions of our product with slight variances.”
It’s also a plus that Mr. Berman has proven to be able to produce product to meet demand. A final plus, both ICBC and Cogosense are Canadian companies; located just five miles from each other.
Link List:
09/06/17 Distracted driving results in more deaths in B.C. than impaired driving: ICBC
https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/...004120177/
11/06/17 B.C. to designate distracted driving as high-risk behavior under ICBC’s Driver Risk Premium program
https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/insurance/...004123260/
11/29/17 ICBC to test two new devices to deter distracted driving
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/icbc-...1.23107401
03/02/18 B.C.'s tougher penalties for distracted driving are now in effect
https://www.kelownanow.com/watercooler/news/n...in_effect/
03/05/18 Government, ICBC, police up Distracted Driving enforcement
http://thenelsondaily.com/news/government-icb...uzzw0xFxZU
04/29/18 ICBC to cut distracted drivers loose
https://www.shopinsurancecanada.ca/blog/news/...ers-loose/
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