Technology Overview

Worksite evolution, project profitability and cross-cultural communication barriers impose real and significant safety challenges to Singapore construction worksites. Personal protective equipment (PPE) are often wearables deployed as last-mile defense against evolving safety hazards and thus carry valuable safety information in solving these challenges.

This technology offer is an embedded AI wearable helmet that can be worn by any person who needs PPE in their line of work. It is based on the aviation sector’s idea of a flight data recorder in recording key operational information. The solution can record and authenticate valuable and PPE data without compromising the wearer’s personal identity and employer’s worksite sensitivities.

The aim is to facilitate the creation of authenticated PPE data for workers to objectively express safety concerns during work redesign requests, while keeping it low-cost and infrastructure-light for the buyer’s wise investment. The end goal is in line with Singapore’s strategy of a tech-enabled workforce that is healthy and sustainable in the long run.

The technology owner is looking for co-development, validation and commercialization partners on this technology development journey. Right now, the team is prioritizing end-user groups (e.g.: construction firms, sub-contractors and independent contractors), hardware productization specialist, personal injury lawyers, worker injury compensation lawyers and worker injury compensation insurers.

Technology Features, Specifications and Advantages

Authenticated PPE data is valuable for amicable safety culture and conflict resolution.

This technology offer overcomes the apprehension of having to rely on unqualified data for decision making. It allows users to defuse tensions as early possible.

Privacy is preserved for all.

This technology uses non-identifiable and low-inferential parameters to authenticate that a human is wearing PPE. Especially useful for classified worksites, this technology does not require location and picture data to be created.

Works with face protection garments – No skin-contact required

Singapore is hot and humid; this technology can work in-tandem with balaclavas, masks or cloth-improvised head protection that wearers use to block direct sunlight and absorb perspiration. There will be no requirement for wearer to sacrifice face protection to meet PPE compliance.

Little to no infrastructure investment required.

This technology is designed primarily as a consumer-priced standalone device.

70% modelling accuracy and 70% prediction efficacy to date.

This technology is based on physics-driven phenomena and the development team is constantly working to improve the algorithm’s quantitative performance and setting of benchmarks.

Potential Applications

This technology primarily targets businesses, workers and independent contractors in the construction sector where authenticated PPE data can offer baseline protection during accident and dispute resolutions. Advanced features include real-time monitoring and advisories for at-work protection.

It is also suitable for photo-restricted worksites :

• Oil & Gas plants

Potential product co-development opportunities :

• Workplace safety and health (WSH) consultancy
• Work/operator performance analytics
• Consumer electronics – A range of PPE wearables with data authentication capabilities.

Market size :

• Estimated. SGD80 million and more every year in Singapore.

Basis: Work Injury Compensation Act (WICA) payouts as published in Ministry of Manpower’s 2020 statistics: SGD 89.84 million in 2018; SGD93.88 million in 2019; SGD74.65 million in 2020. The team believe that the technology can convert monies currently transacted as undesirable accident insurance payouts into a positive pecuniary reward targeted for good safety practices.

Customer Benefit

This technology offer enables advanced WSH practices in a profitable manner. An authenticated PPE data repository seeks to assure workers, employers, business and insurers that a higher safety standard is being adhered to and therefore lowers business risks.

Extended benefits can include increased applicant status during project tenders, lowered insurance premiums and lowered legal costs during accident investigation.