Companion App Promises Users They Don't Have To Walk Home Alone
BOSTON (CBS) -- We've all had that moment of panic, when we're out walking alone and suddenly feel unsafe.
"Sometimes I carry my keys in between my knuckles, just in case," says Boston University freshman Haley Joslin. Fellow freshman Blau Ramos adds "I want to feel safe at all times." BU junior Ramya Babu says, "I try my best not to be out late in Boston."
Now there's a way to make sure someone you know is following your every move even if they can't be right by your side. It's a free app called "Companion." First, users enter their destination, then they can contact friends or family to virtually walk with them.
"Instantly, they are able to add contacts from their contact book, " says Companion app founder Lexie Ernst. "Those contacts they selected are able to see that person's progress as they make it to their destination whether they have the app or not."
That virtual companion can then watch in real-time as the person's GPS position pops up on the screen.
"If a user starts running, if they go off route, if they don't make it to their destination on time, if their headphones get yanked out, their emergency contacts are notified to check in on them," Ernst says.
There's also an "I feel nervous" button to text those emergency contacts. And a link to call police directly. If you take too long to get home, an alert, similar to a car alarm, will sound and the app will ask if you're still OK.
"If you need to have someone paying attention to where you're going this is a great app for that," says WBZ security analyst Ed Davis. Davis says it's great to see new technology being used to keep people safe or to pinpoint someone's location but the app shouldn't be your only plan. "The danger is relying on this solely and not calling 911 when you should," says Davis.
Remember like any piece of technology there can be bugs. "You can accomplish that same thing with a telephone conversation. But to be quite honest with you the combination of both is probably a good way to go," suggests Davis.
The Boston University students we spoke would rather stick together at night, but agree the app is better than going it alone. "I think it could add a sense of security," says Ramos.
Whether it's an app, a phone call, or walking with a friend Ed Davis tells us this is all about planning ahead. And that paying attention to your own personal safety is something that can save your life.
