Motivation: University campuses can be dangerous, especially at night. Many students may feel unsafe accessing their phones or find themselves with a dead battery when they need it most. Existing solutions like Blue Light Stations are fixed in place, and most wearable alerts require smartphones, limiting their reliability and real-world functionality. Furthermore, with New York State’s new Retail Worker Safety law requiring safety protocols for retail workers, there is a growing need for discreet emergency alert systems.
Project Summary: SAFEINITY is a discreet wearable emergency alert device that works without the use of a smartphone, setting it apart from competing apps and panic buttons. It uses Wi-Fi to connect directly to a university or retailer’s network and emergency system. When the user double-taps or presses-andholds the device, it sends an alert containing their location, user ID, the time, and an emergency message. The device includes a discreet vibration motor and LED to confirm the signal was sent. For redundant transmission—to ensure its reliability in any situation—SAFEINITY is equipped with eSIM and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE, with a smartphone), which will only activate if Wi-Fi is unavailable. Its custom gesture- based activation capability works to prevent accidental triggering of the alert system.
Team Members: Owen Wilson, Santiago Sanabria, Diego Maldonado, Ari Spinoza
