Walking home alone late at night, or even during the day, is an uncomfortable task many college students face throughout their undergraduate, and even graduate, careers. Have you ever missed a bus, or were out too late for a cab? Many don’t feel comfortable doing so, because you never know what could happen. One specific app has changed the game, so you virtually never have to walk home alone again! Thanks to five University of Michigan students, the Companion App is an app that lets its users reach out to their family or friends to keep them in the loop when traveling late at night, or even during the day. After giving the app your basic information, you can begin using it. To start, input your desired destination, which gives you the option of walking or driving. Once you figure out where exactly it is you’re headed, you can add your friends, family members, or anyone in your contacts, to be your “Companion” and virtually walk with you. If whomever you choose doesn’t have the app to keep an eye on you, they’ll be notified by SMS text message with a link that will send your chosen Companions to a web page with an interactive map showing you walking to your destination. If you wander off your path, fall, are shoved or pushed to the ground, or start running, the app notices these shifts in movement and will ask if you’re ok. Once it asks, you then have 15 seconds to confirm. If you don’t press the “I’m ok” button within the 15 seconds, the app then converts your phone into its own alarm system, projecting loud noises, giving you the option to immediately call the police. Another feature allows your Companions to know whether you’re feeling ok or not- the “I Feel Nervous” button will tell the app where exactly it is that makes you feel so unsafe.
According to Business Insider, Companion’s creators stated that in “just one week after launching the second version of their app, they collected 500 incidents where students across multiple university campuses felt unsafe.” With this app, the creators hope to collect data from the app and send that information to campus police so they’re aware of the areas where trouble may occur. The app is free, and is a definite must-download for any college student, or anyone in general!