It works simply by activating the panic button
There is something unsettling about this route, it is dark and there are no streetlights; you wish you hadn’t taken this shortcut. Then, you feel a cold chill down your spine; the ominous thud of boots can be heard in a distance, then it gets quicker and closer to you. Sheer terror strikes your heart and you are paralysed with fear.
You have no weapon for defence, except for this palm-sized smart keychain. Quickly, you activate it, setting off a loud 90 db alarm, which causes the stalker to flee in the opposite direction.
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The keychain also sends a series of text alerts, who inform you that they are going to rush down to your location right now. Sighing a heave of relief, you sit down and await your escorts.
That, in a nutshell, is what Taiwan-based startup Circle hopes to achieve with its US$65 device. The innocuous looking keychain (which looks like one of those small circular soaps you find in hotels) activates its alarm only when the user presses and holds the panic button.
The app then sends out alerts, which includes current location, to three emergency contacts every eight seconds (you better hope those are people you can trust).
There is also a feature that tracks the distance between the keychain and the smartphone in case both devices are separated from each other. The user could attach the keychain to their valuables, and then track them using the smartphone if they go missing. The tracker also works both ways meaning that users can use the keychain to find their smartphone.
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With a minimalistic design that blends in with most bags/purses, and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 30 days on a single charge, this smart keychain should be an indispensable tool for users, especially those living in the ghettos or less well-to-do neighbourhoods.
Circle is currently raising funds on Kickstarter with a goal of CA$35,000 (US$25,900). It has currently raised CA$2,261 (US$1,672), so if you need a simple safety solution, back these guys now.
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Image Credit: Circle
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