First personal security wearable developed not tied to cell phone

The first live-monitored personal safety wearable that doesn’t require a connection to a cell phone, has been developed by Whereable Technologies, using u-blox technology. RiskBand, which launches in fall, 2016, is a small, bracelet-like device that allows wearers to summon help and stream audio and photos with just one discreet push of a button.

It will use u-blox’s SARA-U201, the world’s tiniest penta-band HSPA/GSM cellular module, so wearers can reach the RiskBand Emergency Response team from anywhere on the planet that has cellular service. RiskBand will be one of the first devices to incorporate this globally functioning cellular module.

Jim Van Law, President and CEO, Whereable Technologies, commented: “When we designed RiskBand, we wanted to make sure every component was best-in-class to deliver flawlessly on our promise to provide security to our users. The u-blox SARA-U201 allows us to not only streamline the size of the device, but also offers RiskBand wearers the unparalleled ability to get help virtually anywhere in the world in the event of an emergency.”

Measuring just 16x26x3mm, the 96‑pin SARA‑U201 is the smallest cellular module ever made supporting both 2G and 3G connectivity and has global radio regulatory approvals. RiskBand will also incorporate u-blox’s top of the line GPS smart-antenna module with omni-directional reception in its device to ensure its location-based functions are best in class as well.