(Image source: Autio homepage.)
Zendrive, a San Francisco-based creator of a mobile driver analytics platform with the mission of making roads safer with data and analytics, has announced a partnership with Autio (Santa Barbara, Calif.), a location-based audio entertainment app that delivers travelers compelling stories about the places they’re driving through.
Dennis Ellis, President, Zendrive.
Zendrive reports that it is powering Autio Drive & Save, giving its users a chance to save on their auto insurance with safer driving behavior. Drivers using Autio hear short stories about surrounding history, culture, nature, and more narrated by professional narrators, including Kevin Costner, co-founder of the company. Users can access the driving program using the Autio app.
When Autio’s users opt into Autio Drive & Save, Zendrive’s proprietary Mobility Risk Intelligence (MRI) technology analyzes users’ driving behavior without requiring user intervention. During this trial period, users get direct feedback on how they’re driving (i.e., whether they’re checking their phones or speeding frequently) to help them drive safer and boost their chances of earning a personalized, discounted auto insurance policy.
Upon completing the test drive, Autio customers that meet the qualification criteria immediately qualify for an exclusive discount from Zendrive’s auto insurers partners. They also get access to a free one-year subscription to Autio.
“We’re excited to join forces with Autio, an innovative and unique app that keeps drivers entertained with fascinating stories, while Zendrive helps them stay safe and pay less for auto insurance,” says Dennis Ellis, President, Zendrive. “With Autio by our side, we’re on track to significantly enhance the overall driver experience in the U.S.”
Autio offers over 10,000 stories across the entire United States and uses GPS to serve up stories based on your geographic location. The audio vignettes, two to four minutes in length, tell the history of locations users are driving through, painting a multi-dimensional picture that they’re unlikely to get from a history book or visitor’s guide, according to the company.
Woody Sears, Co-Founder and CEO, Autio.
Encouraging Safe Driving with Rewards
“Our mission at Autio is to deliver unique and entertaining stories for travelers, no matter where they are,” comments Woody Sears, co-founder and CEO, Autio. “With that, we always want to ensure that drivers are safe while enjoying and learning about their surroundings. Zendrive will help encourage safe driving with great rewards. We’re looking forward to the reaction from our users but know this will only add to their experience.
Zendrive reports that, since launching its IQL solution, the company has reached over 4 million drivers through the network. Zendrive says its partnership with Autio aligns with its mission to continue to expand IQL to millions of drivers through leading US consumer apps. For Autio, partnering with Zendrive means furthering its mission to make road trips even better—in this case, by helping drivers get fairer and better-priced insurance for their safe driving.
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