Using apps to connect people and places

At just 21, Sam Heather has already created over 20 apps, which have been downloaded more than 500,000 times. Currently a student at the University of York, Sam uses his spare time to make technologies that have huge social impact, including pingWHEN, Shy and Branon.

pingWHEN is an app that ensures people are able to travel safely. It sends automated notifications to a contact when they arrive at a destination, and more importantly, relevant information if they don’t. It’s motivation stems from the statistic that in the United States, 1 in 5 women on college campus is sexually assaulted.

Sam also worked on Shy, an artificial intelligence service for questions you may be too shy to ask. It pulls information from trusted resources, providing recommendations for other questions and answers. Shy aims to bring vital knowledge about personal and sexual health to those who don’t have it, whether due to cultural taboos that prevent you asking a family member, or just lack of information in a developing community. Finally, Branon was the first anonymous web browser app, which allows people living in areas with restricted Internet access to freely gather knowledge.

To vote for Sam Heather in this year’s People’s Award category, visit our Vote Now page, follow @Tech4GoodAwards on Twitter and tweet using the hashtag #T4GSamHeather.

Visit Sam Heather’s website to find out more.