A Spanish startup develops a device capable of preventing drownings in pools by sending bluetooth signals.
Spain is overflowing with talent. More and more startups are focused on looking for technological solutions that meet social needs. Artificial Intelligence to improve customer service, personal genomics, advances in robotics focused on medicine or biotech services.
One of the main causes of death in our country during the summer is drowning. In fact, a total of 375 people have lost their lives this year. Therefore, the Valencian startup “Nothingbutnet”, linked to the Science Park of the University of Valencia, has developed a bluetooth signal device capable of preventing drownings in swimming pools. His name is “Nagi” and went on sale in August 2017 after a complex investigation of a year in the municipal swimming pool of Paterna (Valencia).
How does this device work? First,”Nagi” requires installation of a set of locators surrounding the poolas well as the placement of transmitters with bluetooth signal in the swimmer’s hat or glasses. The technology of “Nagi” is able to measure the time that the person passes without moving and, once detected the maximum time that a swimmer can remain so, the device sends an alert signal to the lifeguard using a smartwatch or tablet.
“The threshold of the alert will depend on the risk of the population group. The immersion of the body can be detected from the first second and a visual and auditory alert will be activated, both on the lifeguard’s watch and on the tablet, ” explains the CEO of Nothingbutnet, Javier Bosch.
Economical, simple and fast
This is a device cheaper than others launched on the market focused on the same cause and, easy to install. “It only requires five nights of work and there is no need to empty the pool. The detection time is faster, the previous systems require the person to sink and go to the bottom, which happens in about 30 seconds, ” says Javier Bosch.
In addition, the device is capable of detecting, not only subsidence, but any kind of strange interruption in movement. “It saves life and, in addition, it has a motivating and fun use, since it will provide information of what you have swam, data that the other drowning detection systems do not provide,” he said.
This new technology has a approximate price of 25,000 euros per year for a pool 25 meters long. Several municipalities have already expressed their interest, because drowning is one of the causes that most concern during the summer period.
Companies like Telefónica are committed to the creation of startups that seek technological solutions to social needs. Therefore, it has several platforms such as Wayra of Open Future_, or Talentum Startups, a scholarship program created to help students who want to improve society through technology.
Technology saves lives and more and more devices help improve society.
