Hong Kong trail runner’s app aims to prevent hiking emergencies before they happen
ITRA board member Rainer Duespohl developed WayMe, which alerts hikers if they stray off beaten path
A veteran Hong Kong trail runner has launched an app which automatically sends distress signals if a hiker gets into difficulty.
Rainer Duespohl, who has explored the city’s trails for more than 17 years and is on the board of the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), launched the WayMe app this week, hoping to add an extra layer of safety to the community.
WayMe, which uses real-time location monitoring to send out warnings to users’ emergency contacts if something goes wrong, comes pre-loaded with Hong Kong’s hiking and trail running routes.
“There were two main drivers behind launching WayMe,” Duespohl said. “One is that when you hike alone and something happens to you and you can’t use your phone, maybe you’re unconscious; how can technology help you?
“The second is, in Hong Kong, we often see news where hikers sadly get lost and die on the trails, so how can we help rescue teams find them quicker, or can we even prevent it?”
WayMe users can select their hiking route or trail or plot their own before setting off. Throughout their journey, the app uses real-time monitoring and geofencing to make sure they stay on track.