This smart bracelet can detect if you're being assaulted

Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have built a smart bracelet they claim can keep the wearer safe in case of a potential physical or sexual assault, or elderly people experiencing a fall. Called the Smart Jewelry Bracelet, the smart wearable uses a mixture of machine learning technology and sensors to detect when such cases take place.

The bracelet will alert passerby using a loud beeping sound and a red strobe light. The wearer can also connect the device to their smartphones using Bluetooth and send their location or emergency message to pre-defined contacts. Unlike other SOS apps, users don't need to trigger the Smart Jewelry Bracelet.

"The difference with existing panic button type devices is that we use multi-modal sensing and machine learning to automatically detect the assault or the fall," Ragib Hasan, associate professor of computer science in the UAB College of Arts and Sciences, told Digital Trends. "This is a significant improvement as the assault or the fall can leave the user unconscious or otherwise unable to call for help."

The multi-modal sensing comprises of accelerometers that are capable of detecting unusual movements, as well as the blood pressure and temperature sensors to determine the change in blood pressure of the wearer. The bracelet can also distinguish between user's regular movements and an unusual incident. Additionally, the device can offer a battery backup for 12 hours on a single charge.

"Our goal is to make an inconspicuous wearable bracelet, which for all purposes looks and feels like a regular jewelry item, but which can essentially act as a guardian angel to watch over the user," Hasan said.

Hasan notes, that the current Smart Jewelry Bracelet is only a prototype, and isn't completely ready for the masses. The team is working on it and enhancing the device by cramming in more sensors to gain more data. The team is also working on similar sensing technologies for other objects such as earrings, shoes which can be worn by the user on a regular basis.

"We envision a future where our everyday objects will be smart without looking like nerdy gadgets," Hasan continued. "We are essentially working on making the computer invisible, yet an essential component of our everyday clothing, jewelry, and other objects."