Launch for teen’s app which helps sleepy tube travellers
A 17-YEAR-OLD from South Wales has launched his own app to prevent Londoners from missing their stops on the Tube and has won some star backing.
Dafydd Jones launched his app – called Doze – at a glitzy event at the London Transport Museum in Covent Garden, with representatives from Transport for London (TfL) and Mayor of London Sadiq Khan’s office in attendance.
The app works by notifying users who may be asleep or distracted that they need to get off just before reaching their designated stops on the underground.
It taps into the existing Wi-Fi hotspots in order to accurately pinpoint the user’s location.
Speaking at the launch event, Dafydd, who is from Tonyrefail, said: “Having always had a passion for tech, it’s been a dream of mine to create my own app for some time.
“I’ve really enjoyed the process of building the app and I’m so excited it’s now ready to be launched.
“I genuinely believe Doze could help thousands of commuters and tourists who want to relax on their journey, without the stress of potentially missing their stop.”
Dafydd, a student at The College Merthyr Tydfil, explained the inspiration for Doze came from his older brother, who once fell asleep on the Tube, ended up at the end of the line and had to pay £60 to get a taxi home.
In the wake of his brother’s experience, Dafydd created the app which sees an alarm advise users to get off the Tube just before they arrive at their destination.
During the development of the app, Dafydd said he faced challenges including limited GPS network access in the Underground, choosing to use existing Wi-Fi hotspots located in every Tube station instead.
He also worked closely with TfL to carefully locate each hotspot to make sure the app will run smoothly for users once they’re in transit.
In the run-up to the launch, Dafydd had spoken with potential investors to expand the concept overseas.
The app has also had celebrity endorsement from Stephen Fry, who wrote on Twitter on Tuesday: “Just downloaded @GetDoze. I’ll never miss my stop on public transport again! Download it now!”
Dafydd said: “Now the app has officially launched, I’ll continue discussions with potential investors and work to expand Doze into overseas markets that I believe would benefit from its concept and to ensure that Doze provides the best public transport experience for its users.
“While the success of Doze is my main priority, I’m also using my experiences up to this point to help other young entrepreneurs, speaking at events focused on the tech sector and also engaging with other entrepreneurs to spread the message that anyone can follow their passion and fulfil their potential, even if you’re only 17.”
Dafydd has previously attended events held by Big Ideas Wales, part of the Welsh Government’s Business Wales Service.
The free app is available to download from the iOS App Store now, with an Android version set to be available in 2018.