It’s been a big year for us here at Aware360 – we’ve launched our Secure360 platform and integrated a new wearable device! Question is…. What’s in store for 2017? To answer this burning question, I sat down with our CTO, Robert Forget, and asked him what’s in store for device integration next year…
PEOPLE - THE FOCUS OF 2017
In 2017, Aware360 wants to shift our focus from integrating devices which generate SOS alerts to solving complex situations for our customers through the generation of various alarms and notifications as well as real-time monitoring. Now those two ideas may sound similar, but this change in focus will make the lives of our customers safer, healthier and smarter.
For example, we were approached by a large college in the US to help them track and analyze the health of their high-level athletes. Every year US Collegial programs invest millions of dollars in building training programs to compete for national and international honors such as the Olympics and college sports. Understanding they are looking for more than just personal safety monitoring, we will integrate a wearable biometric device which has the ability to track various changes in your body – such as heart rate and sleep patterns.
“We want to understand real world use cases and turn them into real-world opportunities”, Robert disclosed.
With biometric readings, Aware360 is able to create varying degrees of alerts and emergency responses depending on risk. So, if an athlete suddenly started having heart palpitations (an early sign of heart attack) their coach would be notified of the incident immediately and then where the nearest AED (automatic electronic defibrillator) and/or health professional are located. Alternatively, if an athlete has low hydration levels, a notification from their wearable device will indicate a 5-minute water break is required before they can continue.
A key to success for any athlete is being able to build strength and endurance by safely pushing their limits. Through the ability to accurately measure your limits, athletes will be able to safely push themselves without risk of injury- creating a huge advantage for competitive training facilities.
CONTEXT IS KEY
In any emergency, the more context given to responders, the more prepared they are when arriving on the scene.
In 2017, we will be integrating more sensors and using more features of the hardware, such as cameras and microphones. This information is intended to provide data and context to a real time monitor resulting in a quick and efficient response to the event – Is the person moving? Is there anyone close by to help? How badly are they bleeding? Another benefit of increasing context in the event of an emergency is the security of first responders themselves. Every day, emergency responders enter into environments where they have no real time information; for instance, they could be headed to treat a heart attack when the gunfire starts at the scene and they have no idea of the imminent threat. More context for responders could help save not only the victim but also the responder themselves.
PEOPLE IN THE INTERNET OF THINGS
The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer just concerned with simple notifications now IoT is looking to create algorithms and to predict events before they occur. Expanding on this idea, Aware360 has begun a process for generating notifications for various types of employees based on predictive analytics.
“People are your most important asset”, as Robert Forget put it, “this year Aware360 will be two feet in on people”.
In 2017, the company will be launching its PeopleIoT™ solution offering – expanding from lone worker safety solution to encompass the health and well-being of all people. New biometric devices are planned for deployment early next year.