In-car email kit keeps eyes on the road

New iLane kit lets drivers deal with email while keeping hands and eyes free

Car safety device manufacturer Intelligent Mechatronic Systems (IMS) has launched a new system designed to give field staff and other frequent travellers easy hands and eyes-free access to their corporate email systems from behind the wheel.

IMS’s iLane is compatible with all Bluetooth-enabled phones and mobile devices such as Palm and BlackBerry, and provides a voice-based interface to access emails. This allows the user to keep their eyes on the road, according to the firm's vice president of marketing, John Reynolds.

Users can set pre-defined filters to reduce the risk of spam, and record a series of general answers to ease email management while driving, Reynolds added. "It works seamlessly so as soon as you step in the car, it recognises it's you via Bluetooth software and reads new emails aloud to you, which you can forward, compose a response to, or reply with standard templates," he explained. "Our target is focusing on the safety [benefits] of this, although it may make workers more productive."

The device removes the safety risks of road warriors trying to compose or view emails while in transit, he added.

"IT managers could use corporate policies [to enforce correct usage] but it's happening anyway, so [this would] make it safer," said Reynolds.