DENVER - Fitbit, Apple Watch, Jawbone: Wearable technology is everywhere.
But unlike wearables to track your steps or your sleep, a Colorado woman has invented a wearable, she says, will make you safe with the touch of a button — the “Fitbit of safety."
But before we put it to the test, it helps to understand why the inventor wanted a button to push in the first place.
"I was scared to go out. I was scared to do things,” said Jacqueline Ros. “I had lost my ability to not be fearful.”
She was just about to start college when, within two miles of her family home, her little sister was attacked twice before the age of 17.
After that, Ros was constantly worried about safety and rarely wanted to go out.
“I thought, ‘I wish she had been able to just push a button to call for help,’ and then I thought, ‘Why not?’” said Ros.
Her idea was simple: a discreet, wearable technology about the size of a quarter, using low energy blue-tooth (like in headsets or car radios) to sync with a smart phone, sending your GPS location to your emergency contacts in seconds.
“It goes through your smart phone and allows your loved one to know where you are and sends them directions on how to help you,” said Ros.
Over the last three years, she turned her idea into a Colorado-based start-up company called Revolar.
We put “the world’s smartest personal safety device” to the test to see how smart it really is.
7NEWS reporter Jaclyn Allen typed "Jaqueline" as the emergency contact, walked away and pushed the button.
Almost immediately, Jaqueline gets a text.
"And so now you can see, that the button was pressed and you get a link to Google Maps so you can start to track her location,” she told Jaclyn as her exact GPS location was shown on the map. “So many victims told us they had their phones near them, but not in their hands. Now, you don’t need it in your hands.”
Here is the catch: This is a prototype. The real deal won’t be available until next spring.
Already, though, Revolar is getting buzz and about more than just safety.
“People tell me ‘my son doesn't want to wear his diabetes bracelet, but he'd wear this. My daughter has a severe peanut allergy. My father in law is suffering from chest pain.’” said Ros. "I think that's been a beautiful part of the journey -- is realizing how many people we can help with this technology,"
What started with two brutal attacks, Ros hopes will now end with people everywhere living more — and fearing less.
"I want people to wear this device and think, 'Somebody has my back. I'm not alone.'"
When Revolar comes out next spring, they will cost about $99, and the company is taking pre-orders. To find out more, click here.
