Driving change: MyDriveHero is revolutionising road safety with tech and incentives

MyDriveHero isn’t just another tech startup—it’s a mission-driven platform tackling one of Australia’s most critical issues: road safety.

Co-founded by Rick Markham, Josh Wong, and Blake Robinson, the app gamifies driving habits, turning safe behaviour into cash rewards. The journey began with a personal tragedy and evolved into a nationwide initiative helping drivers save lives—and money.

“MyDriveHero was founded by Rick Markham,” explains Blake Robinson. “Rick was profoundly impacted by the tragic death of a young woman due to distracted driving caused by phone usage. This devastating incident underscored the urgent need for change, inspiring Rick to act and create a platform to promote safer driving habits and prevent such tragedies in the future. Josh and I came on board to bring his vision to life and launch the app nationwide.”

With backgrounds spanning business, finance, and community-focused initiatives, the trio combined their expertise to build an app that incentivises safer roads through innovative technology.

Innovating through challenges

MyDriveHero aims to make our roads safer Source: Instagram

Building something unique is never easy, and the team faced its fair share of hurdles. “As MyDriveHero is extremely unique, the biggest challenge is not having many tried and tested systems,” Blake admits. “Getting comfortable with failing—and failing fast—has been the biggest challenge but also the biggest reward.”

This willingness to learn and adapt has shaped the platform’s success. The app has already tracked over 37 million kilometres and awarded over $180,000 to drivers. Blake says these achievements are no accident.“

Learning from our users and analysing data is at the core of everything we do. When our users preferred cash rewards over a points system, we made the shift. The data confirmed this was the right decision, validating the power of user-driven innovation.”

Turning safe driving into a game

At its core, MyDriveHero uses gamification to change driver behaviour. The app encourages better habits by rewarding users with cash and tracking their safety scores while making the experience fun and engaging. “We don’t just think it works—it’s a fact,” Blake says. “Since launch, our users have collectively driven nearly 40 million kilometres, resulting in a 23 per cent reduction in unsafe driving behaviours, specifically targeting speeding and distraction.”

The app calculates a driver’s safety score using cutting-edge technology and partnerships with global mapping providers. “Our safety score is designed to address the two leading causes of road fatalities: speeding and distraction,” Josh explains. “Every user begins with a perfect safety score of 100/100, which decreases with each infraction. But at MyDriveHero, there are no zeros—every driver earns something.”

Celebrating milestones and user success stories

While technological advancements drive the platform forward, it’s the real-world impact that motivates the team. “Nothing stands out as much as each time we see the overall safety improvement percentage increase across our community,” Blake says.

“The first time we saw it click over from 0 per cent at launch to 1 per cent was incredible. Recently, seeing it move from 19 per cent to 20 per cent was just as rewarding.”

The team has also celebrated life-changing user stories. “Taylor Kelly, the winner of our second car giveaway, has an inspiring story,” Blake says. “As a P-plate driver, she discovered MyDriveHero during a pivotal moment and transformed her driving habits. Since then, she hasn’t received a single fine. Her dedication paid off when she won a brand-new car, showing how the app empowers safer driving and rewards positive change.”

Expanding horizons and saving lives

As the app evolves, the team is committed to rolling out new features, such as an in-app chat function and enhanced earnings tracking. International expansion is also on the horizon, with plans to grow beyond Australia by 2025.

The ultimate reward for Blake and his co-founders is knowing their app makes a difference.

“Our ecosystem is actively reducing the risks of speeding and phone distraction,” he says. “We’re saving lives and helping more people return home safely. That’s what we define as true success.”

So, what’s their message for drivers considering MyDriveHero? Blake sums it up: “It’s not just about earning rewards—it’s about making a real difference in your driving habits, your safety, and your life.”

MyDriveHero is proving that positive reinforcement can reshape road safety. Whether you’re motivated by cash rewards, gamification, or the chance to improve your habits, the app offers a compelling way to drive change—one kilometre at a time.

Find out more about MyDriveHero