Ongrade and Visijax create proximity warning jacket that lights up near approaching vehicles
Intelligent clothing that illuminates to prevent collisions
Ongrade launches the newest addition to its wearable anti-collision technology portfolio. Visijax high-visibility jackets light up to warn the wearer and oncoming vehicles of their proximity to each other.
Visijax smart jackets and vests are manufactured by Visijax, part of the Wearable Technologies group of companies developing solutions for the industrial connected worker of the future.
Visijax and Ongrade have collaborated to integrate Ongrade’s SiteZone Radio-frequency identification (RFID) proximity warning alarm system across the full range of Visijax PPE jackets and vests which embed washable electronics to enhance worker safety.
Like SiteZone, the Visijax garments contain a two-way RFID warning device; transmitters contained in both the vehicle and the worker’s high visibility jacket or vest communicate with each other, providing a full 360-degree detection zone and the ability to see around corners. The vehicle on-board receiver detects the location of RFID tag-wearing personnel and alerts the driver and worker to each other’s presence to prevent a collision between the two.
Visijax goes one step further and adds a visual dimension to the proximity warning system so the wearer is instantly warned and identifiable by vibration, sight, and by sound.
Gary Escott, Director of Ongrade says, “Once again we are pushing the boundary of anti-collision protection by collaborating with Visijax on the new proximity warning garments. Through practical need and creative technology, we’ve found yet another way to reduce the risk of pedestrian/vehicle collision across several sectors of operation.”
Perfect for busy sites, depots and low-visibility conditions
Wearing Visijax garments will ensure a reduction in collision risk on working sites and depots where there is a lot of vehicle and pedestrian activity.
There are RFID tags, washable LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) and electronics inserted into the jacket. When the jacket is detected by an RFID transponder in a site vehicle, the jacket’s LEDs illuminate to make the pedestrian visible and alert them to imminent collision risk with that vehicle. Not only is the person visible to active vehicle operators but to other pedestrians as well.
The potential applications for Visijax are strongest in low-lit environments or night-time conditions where pedestrian visibility is compromised. For traffic marshals or road workers who are more at risk of vehicle collision at night, Visijax would be an ideal safety solution and possible life-saver.
It is also perfect for use in warehouses and depots where there is no obligatory requirement to wear hard hats, which is where SiteZone’s RFID detection tags would normally be placed.
As part of its ‘smart’ function, the Visijax also has a built in ‘sleep mode’. This means even if it appears to be in “off” mode, it will still work when it detects a vehicle nearby.
The unit contains two batteries, one USB-rechargeable battery (USB cable supplied) with a 12+ hour life which powers the LEDs, and a separate two-year life battery for powering the RFID system to ensure continued safe operation.
Mark Bernstein, CEO of Wearable Technologies comments, “The flexibility of our wearable technology as ‘personal hubs’ makes this partnership between the Visijax and SiteZone a perfect match for anti-collision safety. This is just the first step in making proximity warning safety wear smarter and more efficient.”
Notes to editor:
About Ongrade and SiteZone: OnGrade is the leading UK-wide suppliers of SiteZone proximity warning system. The SiteZone Proximity Warning System is designed to reduce the risk of personnel and plant collisions. SiteZone is a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Proximity Warning System using vibration, audio and visual alerts. Detection zones can be varied depending on the site and vehicle requirements. SiteZone should only be used to complement existing safe systems of work and existing safety practices.
SiteZone and a complete range of specialist safety equipment can be hired from OnGrade’s rental partner ESS Safeforce: www.ess-safeforce.com
About Visijax: Visijax, makes and sells ranges of both consumer and industrial garments containing its proprietary embedded washable electronics technologies to aid safety. It is the garment brand subsidiary of Wearable Technologies Limited, based in the UK, an early leader in the “connected worker” area of the Internet of Things (“IoT”), where it is building some of the enabling technologies to assist in monitoring industrial worker safety.
For press enquiries please contact:
Nicola Martin – Ceris Burns International t: +44(0)1825 714329
e: nicola@cbipr.com www.cbipr.com
