A team of researchers at the TechCrunch Disrupt hackathon in New York unveiled the Confident alert system, a smart phone based application with a goal to find, and identify missing people with more efficiency.
Heavily influenced from the tragedy of two Taiwanese explorers who got lost trying to navigate a remote area in Nepal, Ahmed Makhdoom, Luqman Haqim and Jeneesh KV were compelled to develop a better system to track, and rescue a missing person.
With the web app Confident, adventurers and travelers have the option to provide emergency contact numbers, and select a time which they expect to return should they be undertaking an activity with an added element of risk, like hiking a mountain. If they don't mark themselves as safe before their expected return time, their emergency contacts will be notified through the app.
The Confident alert system has the potential to make a significant impact with its ability to jump start a search and rescue mission as early as possible.
Proactive Tracking Systems
The Confident Alert System Can Jumpstart a Search and Rescue Mission
Trend Themes
1. Smartphone-based Search and Rescue Systems - There is an opportunity to develop more innovative and advanced smartphone-based applications that can provide efficient search and rescue operations similar to the Confident alert system.
2. Real-time Tracking Technology - Developments in real-time tracking technology can improve the effectiveness of the Confident alert system as well for more precision and faster response during search and rescue operations
3. Personalized Emergency Services - There is an opportunity to offer personalized emergency services using GPS-based data and artificial intelligence to streamline rescue operations and provide timely assistance to those in need.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Sports and Activities - Companies that provide outdoor sports and activities can benefit from integrating the Confident alert system into their offerings to provide customers with a safer and more secure experience.
2. Emergency Services and Response - Emergency services and response organizations can benefit from adopting real-time tracking technology and personalized emergency services to improve efficiency and response times during search and rescue operations.
3. Consumer Electronics - Consumer electronics manufacturers have an opportunity to partner with search and rescue organizations to create more advanced and robust tracking devices that can be integrated with the Confident alert system.