Contractors sought to trial SmartVest safety system

3Squared, the software development specialist working on the “Google Glass” trial with Autodesk, is now looking for industry partners in the construction and rail sector to trial its Bluetooth-enabled “SmartVest”.

The vest, which incorporates light emitting diodes, would warn workers if they were approaching hazards, or if a train was approaching a trackwork team.

The vest would work in conjunction with live data feeds from iBeacon transmitter technology to provide automated visual alerts for workers.

iBeacon uses Bluetooth proximity sensing to transmit a signal that can be picked up by a smartphone or another device, and also establishes the position of the device in relation to the site. 

Different coloured lighting is used to create visual alerts for individual workers and groups of workers, helping them to identify a possible hazard quickly and effectively.

Tim Jones, managing director of 3Squared, said: “The SmartVest concept innovatively and creatively takes an established product with existing safety benefits into the 21st century. We are very excited about what this could mean for construction and infrastructure workers in terms of enhancing their safety on site.”

The vest would work in conjunction with live data feeds from iBeacon transmitter technology to provide automated visual alerts for workers.

Other construction businesses are also interested in exploring the health and safety applications of iBeacon transmitters on site. At Berkeley Group, it’s understood that at least one promising application to its Innovation Fund for safety interventions harnesses the system to reduce site risks for workers – many of whom are not native English speakers.

Crossrail is also trialling iBeacon to identify the movement of people and machines on site, with a view to improving safety.

At 3Squared, the SmartVest also utiltises the company’s “SmartSafe” virtual zone management platform. This web-based software allows engineers to upload site plans and draw out virtual safe, exclusion, or hazardous working zones, such as overhead power cables.

3Squared is currently engaged in several projects for the rail and construction sectors, and has extensive experience in developing software for these industries.

The SmartVest concept innovatively and creatively takes an established product with existing safety benefits into the 21st century. We are very excited about what this could mean for construction and infrastructure workers in terms of enhancing their safety on site.– Tim Jones, managing director, 3Squared