Origo, a new technology introduced this week at the American Trucking Associations Management Conference and Exhibition in Las Vegas, offers a physical solution to make sure drivers are using their phones in a hands-free mode while driving, without losing the ability to communicate and be productive on the road.

Unlike phone-disabling solutions that require software updates or can be easily overridden, Origo uses Bluetooth technology to let drivers talk while driving or continue to use turn-by-turn directions or various voice-to-text applications.

"As long as the cell phone's nearby, it's a distraction," says Clay Skelton, president and inventor. "It's human nature, if they get a text, they're unable to resist grabbing that cell hpone to see what it is. We have a solution that actually removes the phone from your hand. It's installed in a car or truck as aftermarket solution. It's an ignition interlock that requires you to put the phone in a docking station before you can start the vehicle."

Because the vehicle will not start without an authorized phone in place, it also is a theft deterrent.

If a driver pulls the phone from the cradle while the vehicle is running, it will set off an alarm. The system can be configured to, after a certain number of incidents, lock the driver out of the truck or turn the engine off after a certain amount of time after the warning.

The patent-pending OrigoSafe Commercial version comes with a module called OrigoCommand, which is an enterprise level, iPad-based fleet management package that gives the administrator the ability to add or delete phones and users from the system, create teams of drivers and view reports.

The system uses a central database for the administrator to manage multiple fleets at multiple locations and restrict use to an easily manageable list of authorized drivers.

The product is currently in beta testing.