How the Tiwi System Functions

Once teens reach the age of 15, they can head to the DMV in certain parts of the United States to take a written exam, potentially earning their learner's permit, which marks the first step in their journey to becoming a driver. This permit, while granting the ability to practice driving, comes with restrictions. To drive legally with a learner's permit, teens must have an adult with a valid driver's license accompanying them in the passenger seat. The goal is to help teens gain valuable road experience while benefiting from the adult's guidance in developing safe driving habits.

The true feeling of freedom usually arrives a bit later, sometimes a year or more down the road, when teens return to the DMV to take both a written exam and a road test. The mix of excitement, nerves, and relief felt after passing these tests and receiving a driver's license is a memorable moment for many high schoolers. The freedom to drive independently or with friends is a milestone that many eagerly anticipate when they finally hold that driver’s license.

Despite the thrill of newfound independence, there are growing concerns about the dangers of teen driving. In fact, traffic accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S., accounting for more than a third of all deaths in individuals between the ages of 16 and 19 [source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention].

To address this, parents, state authorities, and various organizations are working on strategies to better educate new drivers. These include stricter laws and regulations, along with a more comprehensive graduated driver licensing (GDL) system, designed to provide teens with ample driving experience before they receive full licensure.

One emerging trend involves using GPS-enabled technology to track and monitor the driving habits of teenagers. The Tiwi, created by Inthinc, is one such device, with its creators calling it a "revolutionary" breakthrough in monitoring technology. But with several similar devices already available, what makes the Tiwi stand out?

Tiwi and the Speed Limit

When teenagers first hit the road with their driver’s license, they lack significant experience behind the wheel and often fail to recognize dangerous situations. For concerned parents, installing a GPS-based tracking device in their teen's car offers a way to monitor their driving, even when they aren’t in the car. This system allows parents to stay informed via phone calls, text messages, or email, receiving updates on the vehicle's location and speed. There are many such devices available, most of which track a teen's speed and whereabouts.

What sets the Tiwi system apart is its capability to detect the speed limit of the area the car is driving through. While most GPS-based monitoring systems simply track how fast the driver is going and may allow parents to set a personal speed limit, the Tiwi takes it a step further. For instance, parents can set a speed limit, such as 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour), and if their child exceeds that, the device will notify them. Then, parents can choose whether to speak to their child and ask them to slow down or return home.

With the Tiwi system, the GPS technology is advanced enough to not only monitor the speed but also compare it to the posted speed limit. If the driver exceeds the limit, the Tiwi notifies the parents. However, before sending the alert, the system will first speak to the teen. A recorded voice will inform the driver, saying, "You're exceeding the speed limit; please slow down."

The Tiwi System is a small, gray, square device that sits on the dashboard of a vehicle. It is priced around $549, with a monthly subscription fee of either $24.95 or $34.95, depending on the level of communication features parents select.

The Tiwi can notify you if your teen is speeding, but what other capabilities does it offer?

Tiwi Features

Once parents purchase the Tiwi, they can log into a special web-based dashboard account where they can customize various settings. Through this interface, they can decide how they want to receive alerts, whether it’s by phone, text, or email. In addition to these options, they can communicate with their child through the Tiwi itself, which features a built-in cell phone that allows for hands-free conversations, ensuring the teen isn’t distracted by phone calls or texts while driving.

Beyond monitoring speed limits, the Tiwi can also notify parents when their teen enters or leaves designated areas, a feature known as "geofencing." Parents can set up virtual fences around locations such as their neighborhood or their teen’s school. For instance, a student trying to skip class will find it harder to get away with it when the Tiwi alerts parents the moment the car leaves the school campus.

In addition to GPS tracking for location and speed, the Tiwi is equipped with an accelerometer to detect dangerous driving habits such as sharp turns, rapid acceleration, and hard braking. Accelerometers use pendulums to sense changes in direction or movement. If a driver suddenly slams on the brakes, the pendulum swings, and if the movement is too extreme, the Tiwi alerts the parents. The system is also capable of sending emergency alerts in the event of an accident, prioritizing safety.

The Tiwi system wasn’t originally intended for teen drivers. It actually began in NASCAR, a sport that thrives on high speeds. After NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt's tragic death in 2001, Inthinc (operating under the name Independent Witness) developed "black boxes" to capture crash data. Eventually, Tiwi systems were integrated into NASCAR race cars, tracking not only crash data but also lap times and race statistics.

For more detailed information on the Tiwi system and other car-related topics, check out the next page.