South Korea wants to take action against accidents with so-called smartphone zombies. This is how people are called, who also stare at the screen of their cell phone while walking. Unlike in the US city of Honolulu, however, no ban should help here. There it is forbidden to leave the view on the mobile phone when crossing streets. In the South Korean city of Ilsan, modern technology is supposed to solve the problem: a new warning system with colored LEDs in the sidewalk is intended to startle smartphone zombies. In addition, projected hints and an app warn of approaching cars.
REUTERS
"Stop! A car is approaching!" The system projects warnings like this on the road.
The warning system uses radar sensors and thermal imaging cameras. No cheap pleasure: The equipment of an intersection costs around 12,000 euros. When a car approaches, it is registered by the sensors, which then activate the light signals. The necessary technology is provided by the State Institute for Civil Engineering and Building Services (KICT).
94 percent of South Koreans own a smartphone
Smartphone plays an even bigger role in South Korea than in other countries, according to a study 94 percent of South Korean adults have one. Thus, the devices are much more widespread there than in the US with 77 percent or Japan with 59 percent. At the same time, more than 1,600 pedestrians died in car accidents in South Korea in 2017, accounting for around 40 percent of the total number of road deaths.
REUTERS
The app "Watch Out" warns of cars and also indicates the direction from which they approach.
The warning system should help to reduce this number. It will initially be tested only in Ilsan, which is located 30 kilometers northwest of the capital Seoul, but will be installed according to the KICT throughout the country.