Pat Martin was driving the Desert Road when his car slipped on black ice -- that's when he had his big idea.
He wanted to design a different kind of road marker - one that warned approaching drivers about the dangers ahead.
Mr Martin then invented the Pateye, a solar-powered road marker that flashes in icy conditions.
And now, with the Vodafone Xone accelerator programme, he's planning to develop it even further.
He joined Paul Henry this morning.