This safety app allows your friends to virtually walk you home at night

As we grow older we become more and more aware of the dangers on the streets at night. 

Being a lonesome wanderer after sundown is not only unsafe but extremely nerve-wracking, regardless of the time of night (or early morning).

The usual method of walking home alone is to call a family member or friend in hope that will warn off any unwanted guests. 

But students at the University of Michigan recognised that there was a definite need for people to feel more secure when walking home at night, without having to keep a friend on the phone for an hour.

The students decided to make an app that can check a person's safety in real-time – and we must say, it is genius. 

Companion cleverly lets you to enter your location and destination, and then tracks your movements as you go. 

Not only that, you can choose a friend to be your virtual companion who can follow your journey from start to finish.

Your friend can see your location as you go and if you happen to wander off-route, suddenly start running or your headphones get pulled out, the app will send you a notification. If you don't respond to the check-in function, an alarm will sound on your phone and your companion will be alerted. 

You can also hit an 'I am nervous' button if you feel particularly unsafe, and if anything does happen, you can tap a button to call the police, without having to manually dial any numbers. 

Despite it first being created for college students, the app has been downloaded by thousands of people around the world.

If you want to see how it works check out the video below.