The aim of this innovative project was to bring down the number of accidental deaths in Ireland. The C.B.S. Thurles team developed and launched exciting new products, including a technology-enhanced lifebuoy to combat all-too-often overlooked issues around accidental death.
As a Step Up project, the 2015 group continued the stellar work carried out by the previous year’s team, who won the Vodafone Mobile Technology Award for their 2014 project.
The STEM Response
With a focus on the innovative use of technology, the team developed an advanced prototype lifebuoy. The buoy sounds an alarm if triggered and sends a text message alerting support services. The trigger mechanism also sends alerts when a device has been damaged.
Extensively tested and researched, these new products bring component costs down, making their solutions viable options for local authorities.
The group also created a free mobile application to compliment the lifebuoy. The app provides users with a quick and effective mechanism to report lifebuoys that are not in working order or have been vandalised.
The Impact
These innovations are effective examples of how technology can be used in new and exciting ways to tackle social issues. The team worked towards the vision of having their innovations accepted by Irish Water Safety to be installed on beaches and piers around the country.
This group met with various organisations and individuals, including Vodafone, Irish Water Safety, the Irish Coastguard, local politicians and councillors to gain invaluable input and advice, as well as to seek government support.
Thanks to their efforts the project won Young Social Innovators “Using Technology to Change the World for Good Challenge” 2014.
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