Future Developments in Personal Safety Technology
As technology continues to evolve, there is set to be further advancements in personal safety technology that will reshape how organisations protect their workforce and enhance employee wellbeing.
These innovations will provide more efficient, integrated safety solutions, enabling businesses to address the complexities of modern work environments and meet the evolving needs of their employees.
Integration of AI and Machine Learning
The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning has the opportunity to significantly enhance personal safety management.
By harnessing large volumes of data from Internet of Things (IoT) devices and wearables, AI can identify real-time risks and quickly detect patterns or trends that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Through this analysis, AI can provide insights that help employers make proactive decisions about safety protocols. For example, AI could alert employers about specific locations or times where incidents are more likely to occur, allowing organisations to implement targeted safety measures and reduce the likelihood of accidents before they happen.
This would shift the focus from simply responding to incidents to preventing them.
API Advancements
The advancement of APIs will play a pivotal role in the future of personal safety technology.
As APIs evolve, they will enable organisations to integrate safety solutions more deeply with their existing systems.
These advancements will facilitate stronger connections between platforms, streamline operations, and improve efficiency, ultimately embedding safety measures seamlessly into everyday workflows.
"At Peoplesafe, we're continuously developing Nexus to reduce administrative burden, enhance automation and improve security.
By leveraging APIs, our goal is to make it easier for organisations to integrate Peoplesafe services into their everyday workflows, streamlining processes and enhancing employee safety management."
Will Solomon, Chief Technology Officer, Peoplesafe
Smartwatch Integration
One of the most promising areas for future development is the deeper integration of personal safety services with advanced smartwatch features.
For example, the Apple Watch already includes a crash detection feature which utilises built in sensors to detect sudden movements, impacts, and changes in speed or location. In the future, this feature could be connected to technologies such as Peoplesafe so that in the event of a crash, an alarm is immediately raised to the ARC.
This would allow the ARC to contact emergency services and dispatch help directly to the scene using the user’s GPS location. This would improve the accuracy of response as ARC controllers would have access to critical information stored in the user’s Nexus profile, including personal details and relevant medical history.
This data could be invaluable in emergencies, as it allows responders to tailor their assistance to the individual’s specific needs, allowing a quicker and more effective response.
Additionally, some smartwatches already have the ability to detect medical emergencies, such as identifying heart attacks by monitoring abnormal heart rate patterns, so it’s likely that this ability will continue to evolve. For example, if the watch detects signs of a heart attack, it could instantly alert the user and request confirmation of their safety. If they fail to respond, an alarm could automatically be raised to the ARC for escalation. Beyond immediate emergencies, future iterations could monitor a user’s post-incident vitals, such as decreased activity levels in the days following an incident. This data could serve as an early warning sign, prompting wellbeing checks to ensure the user’s recovery is on track.
As personal safety technology continues to develop, integrating smartwatch features into these services offers a practical approach to enhancing employee safety, embedding safety measures into everyday routines and ensuring that support is readily accessible whenever it’s needed most.
Will Solomon, Chief Technology Officer at Peoplesafe, commented:
Greater Emphasis on Worker Wellbeing
As the conversation around workplace safety evolves, there is an increasing recognition that safety goes beyond just protecting physical health; it includes the overall wellbeing of workers. This shift suggests that future developments will begin to monitor mental health and employee wellness, as well as physical safety.
Personal safety solutions are expected to begin to track factors like fatigue, stress levels, and employees’ feelings of safety. This emphasis on mental health reflects a broader understanding that employee wellbeing is crucial for a productive and engaged workforce.
For instance, a “wellbeing tile” within personal safety applications could offer users the ability to perform regular pulse checks on their welfare.
By providing a simple interface for employees to assess their feelings, organisations can identify trends and intervene when necessary, offering support for those in need.
Several solutions already on the market showcase this growing focus on holistic health. For example, Humanity allows users to monitor their movement, nutrition, and overall wellness, encouraging positive health behaviours. The app also utilises data from compatible devices, such as the Apple Watch and iPhone, to provide insights into users' biological age helping them to understand their health better and make informed choices.
Integrating these tools into workplace wellness programs can allow organisations to foster a culture that supports employees' physical safety and promotes their mental and emotional wellbeing.
By doing so, they can improve individual employee health, as well as enhance overall productivity, reduce turnover rates and create a more engaged workforce.
Enhanced Connectivity
Enhanced connectivity is set to be a pivotal factor in the future of personal safety technology. With the rollout of 5G and satellite networks, communication with workers in remote or challenging environments will become more reliable, reshaping how organisations safeguard their workforce.
Apps currently outpace devices in terms of connectivity and this trend is expected to continue. As a result, software solutions will likely drive advancements in user connectivity, making it easier for employees to report concerns, check-in, and access resources directly through their smartphones or wearables.
Improved connectivity will empower organisations to provide real-time support and updates to their workforce, regardless of location. This will be particularly beneficial for employees who may face safety risks while working in isolated areas, allowing them to access emergency assistance or report incidents instantly.
In the coming years, it's expected that the integration of smart clothing, wearables, and environmental sensors will further boost tech capabilities, providing comprehensive monitoring of personal safety and environmental conditions.
Investment will likely be made into technology that can continuously monitor vital signs and environmental conditions, providing valuable data. For instance, smart clothing could detect signs of fatigue or distress and alert the user or their employer, prompting necessary interventions before a situation escalates.
These advancements will enable organisations to take a more proactive approach to employee safety, ensuring that potential risks are identified and addressed in real-time, ultimately creating safer, more responsive working environments.
