Electronic device to bell the cat for women in distress

Give a break to chilli powder and pepper sprays. There is some good news for lakhs of girls and women across the country searching for state-of-the-art safety gadgets, especially in the aftermath of the horrific gang rape case in Delhi.

A university’s research team claimed to have developed a wearable and easy-to-operate electronic device that will help women to trigger communication with family and police when in distress.

“The Amrita Personal Safety System (APSS) is an inconspicuous device that will remain invisible to the offender and yet can easily be triggered by its user with multiple options to ensure stealthy and secure communication,” said Dr Krishnashree Achuthan, Director of Kollam-based Amrita University’s Centre for Cyber Security Systems and Networks.

“With the ability to record conversations and communicate immediately by the press of a button or using SMS and voice calls to multiple destinations, this device also offers automated information on the nearest police station, hospitals and fire stations to the victim so that she can get immediate help,” added Dr Achuthan, who was in Delhi.

Innovative design

The Amrita Centre for Cyber Security is making efforts to ensure that this device is lodged in an earring or a ring.

“We are designing it so that it can be affordable. The device will soon be equipped with technology that can videotape events,” said the author of 29 US patents.

A distinct feature of APSS is that it can function even in rural areas where the speed of communication is minimal and can function indoors and outdoors with minimal power consumption.

“This customisable device integrates more than 15 features pertaining to women’s security. Significantly, it can also be used as a safety device for mentally challenged people with many functionalities to quickly identify their whereabouts,” she added.

“APSS is an example of the cutting-edge technology for the benefit of girls and women, aged citizens and children.”

The APSS prototype will be formally unveiled during 60th birthday celebrations of Mata Amritanandamayi Devi. The celebrations are taking place on September 26-27 in Kerala.