App to keep workers safe

Hamilton's St Paul's Collegiate School students (from left) Aneil Khatkar, Carter Brydon and Connor Steer developed an app to make working in the forestry industry safer.

Young innovators Aneil Khatkar, Connor Steer and Carter Brydon from St Paul's Collegiate School created interest with their concept for Fell Safe - a new app and software that would be installed into either a watch or FitBit to minimise injury and death on forestry worksites.

The boys had observed that there were a lot of deaths and injuries in the forestry industry and believed it was a problem they could address.

Fell Safe is a concept that enables bosses and workers in forestry to have accurate, real-time information, such as where workers are, where machinery is operating and what vehicle movements are occurring.

Using software, smart watches or similar wearable devices and GPS technology, Fell Safe alerts people to any possible dangers.
Menus are used to select tasks, and all information from workers is relayed to a foreman or site boss.

For example, information about tree felling is relayed to a foreman, who can use the technology to make sure the area is clear and safe to proceed.

The foreman red flags the area and gives the go-ahead to proceed.

If any danger arises, such as another worker entering the area, warnings are automatically sent to the device - red flags and vibrations to alert the wearer.

The warnings can also be sent to phones as an extra layer of safety.

Aneil, Carter and Connor have designed the template for the application and researched the technologies that can be applied to make it functional.

They say developing the software is an expensive exercise that requires a refined skill - and that is where the Fieldays Innovations Tent came into play.

The boys said their concept attracted attention from people who may be able to help them take it to the next level.

"We don't want to sell the idea at this stage. We want to work with the idea and sell it when it is more developed," said Carter.

"A group of Massey University graduates expressed an interest in working with us.
"We are waiting to see if they will help us bring the product to the market."

The Fell Safe team are also aware money is needed to fund the work and hopeful someone will be inspired to invest.