NeXt, a tech startup in the District that has designed a transparent windshield display to eliminate texting and driving, is one of ten finalists in
The Mobileys,
Mobile Future's national competition spotlighting early-stage wireless products and apps. Winners will be announced at a private ceremony on Wednesday. NeXt is one of two local companies in the running for the prize, which is $17,500 to be split among a first-, second- and third-place winner. (The People's Choice award, which carried a $2,500 cash prize, has already been announced--it went to
INRFOOD, out of Raleigh, N.C.)
NeXt's product, HeadsUP, is a
small device that plugs into a car's cigarette lighter, sits on a windshield and integrates with a smartphone via Bluetooth. Drivers use voice-activated commands to read and respond to texts, make a call or get directions. A small display on the windshield shows information, eliminating the need to look away from the road.
"The problem is people looking down at their phones while driving," explains Smita Majumder, marketing and business development representative for NeXt. "But expecting people to not use their phones while driving isn't realistic." Users can also use the music apps on their phones as well as receive phone calls while using HeadsUP.
NeXt is running a crowdfunding campaign, which ends Dec. 23, on
Indiegogo to create the second prototype HeadsUP unit. "Our goal is to raise $50,000," Majumder says. "Hopefully, [winning] Mobile Future will help." The unit, which will retail for $399, is available for preorder via the campaign for $299 and according to Majumder, should be available in August 2014.
The company, which includes six right now with CEO Arnab Raychaudhuri, is looking for engineers to make the product market ready.