Polly Track

SOS by SMS and crash detection

A red button writes an SMS with your position and the road you just rode, for up to three contacts. SMS coverage is enough, no internet needed. You press send yourself.

What it does

The red "SOS by SMS" button is on the first level of the ☰ menu while navigating, on the recording sheet and in the home screen ☰ menu during a free ride. It is large, so you can hit it with gloves on.

Settings, Safety section: SOS contacts with 2 contacts and the Crash detection (TRIAL) switch on, only while riding or recording.
Settings › Safety.
SOS contacts: two sample contacts, Add contact, the SOS message and the note that Polly does not call emergency services or send anything automatically.
Up to 3 contacts and your message.
Navigation ☰ menu: Voice, Map, Roadbook and Record, the full-width red SOS by SMS button with 5 seconds to cancel, More and End navigation.
While navigating, in the ☰ menu.
Recording sheet while navigating: 00:33, 0.4 km, 47 km/h, Pause, Stop and save, the SOS by SMS button and the trip meter with corrections.
Also on the recording sheet.
  • After the tap a 5-second countdown starts, with "CANCEL". Then the phone's messaging app opens with recipients and text filled in. You check it and press Send.
  • The text has the coordinates, accuracy and time of your position, an OpenStreetMap link, your direction of travel and up to 6 points of your recent path, about one every km or every 3 minutes. If you are recording, also the ride name and the km ridden.
  • When the phone allows it, Polly offers the recent track as a GPX attachment.
  • "Call 112" opens the phone dialler with the number filled in.

Crash detection, in trial

It is off by default and still a trial feature: it can miss a crash or raise a false alarm. It only works while you navigate or record.

  • The alarm needs three things together: a hard impact, a drop from over 15 to under 5 km/h within a few seconds, then 30 seconds of near stillness. If you ride off again, the alarm does not go off.
  • The alarm fills the screen, with vibration and sound, and a large "I'M OK" button. You have 60 seconds.
  • If nobody stops it, the ready-made SOS by SMS opens. Here too, you send it yourself.

When it helps

When you ride alone on a dirt track and get hurt, or get stuck with the bike. In the mountains there is often no data, but an SMS gets through. Whoever gets it knows where you are and which way you came.

How to use it

Settings › Safety › "SOS contacts" and "Crash detection (TRIAL)".

  1. Before you leave, enter up to 3 numbers and, if you like, your own message. They stay on the phone.
  2. If you want to try crash detection, switch it on on the same page.
  3. When you need help, open the ☰ menu and tap "SOS by SMS". You have 5 seconds to cancel.
  4. The messaging app opens. Check the text and press Send.

Good to know

  • You need a SIM and SMS coverage.
  • Polly never sends anything on its own and does not call emergency services. No data goes through Polly or a server.
  • If the GPX cannot be attached, only the text goes.
  • Crash detection is in trial. Do not rely on it alone.

How does it compare with Calimoto, Kurviger, OsmAnd, DMD2 and other apps? See the feature-by-feature comparison.