The helmet-mountable ICEdot Crash Sensor system consists of a slim sensor that can be mounted onto a cycle helmet and pairs to a smartphone via Bluetooth low energy (BLE). When the sensor detects forces consistent with an accident, the smartphone app gives the user 30 seconds to shut down a countdown clock. If this timer is not canceled, the app will then send out a notification to all the user’s nominated emergency contacts, complete with GPS coordinates. This enables a decision on whether the emergency services are required or not and prevents non-life-threatening impacts, such as dropping the helmet, from wasting the authorities’ time. Gizmag reports that it’s “not just for cyclists, the ICEdot Crash Sensor is aimed at snowboarders, skiers, mountain-bikers, or really anyone participating in risky activities” Such is the focus of the young <sigh>. Helmet-mountable ICEdot Crash Sensor calls for help if you can’t.
No issue with the focus on the young, these ‘sexier’ mass markets help drive the development of technologies that will in time become cheaper/more robust and suitable for deployment in the wider telehealth / telecare markets. One of my favourites at the moment is the ‘invisible’ bike helmet. Something I’d wear myself because I don’t like wearing a helmet, but do so because of the obvious risks. I look at the technology employed in this device and wonder if one day we might see a simple waist worn belt come fall detector/protector. After all protection from damage during the fall is far more desirable to merely alerting that the fall has occurred.
http://vimeo.com/43038579