Tsunami Institute offers cell phone-based warning system

Published 21 March 2007

Inexpensive service provides ample warning to get off the beach; developers look for business partners along the Pacific Rim.

Are you or your loved ones letting fears of tsunamis interfere with your vacation plans? Is your psychiatrist urging you to confront your fears? If your answer is yes, then perhaps you should consider looking into a new cell phone-based tsunami warning system. Developed by scientists at the Germany-based Tsunami Institute, the system relies on the expected assortment of seismic, pressure, and velocity sensors to develop up-to-the-minute data on likely tsunami events — key when one considers that the monster waves can travel at speeds up to 1000 kph. Subscribers to the service must be connected to a GSM network, accept Flash SMS messaging, and pay €30 per year (or €10 for short-term vacationers).

Investors take note: The institute, which has filed for patents in Germany and elsewhere, is interested in developing business relationships among the retail set. “We bring an attractive business opportunity for merchants in coastal areas” in Asia and along the Pacific coast, said Dr. Wolfram Reiners.