2 - A beacon snap-band

Inspiration

The project was inspired by the classical smartwatch and the snap bank principle combining familiar wearable technology and simple self activating mechanism. This approach ensures that the device is easy to use and automatically activates once it is wrapped around the wrist, making it ideal for emergency use.

Problem we are solving

When disasters such as bombings happen, locating trapped people becomes a difficult challenge for the rescue teams, which influences mission planning and is manual and consuming . Our project helps to solve this problem by introducing a durable rescue wristband which can help to locate persons under the rubble effectively and receive the person's vital status by checking pulse and body temperature, to coordinate missions. This information allows the rescue teams to prioritize those victims in the greatest need for help.

Our idea

The wristband uses LoRa mesh communication to send location and vital data such as pulse and body temperature even when mobile networks or GPS are unavailable. This information helps rescuers identify how many people are trapped and assess their health condition. When rescuers are nearby, UWB technology enables precise positioning in the short range, helping them quickly locate and prioritize survivors under rubble. UWB anchors can be attached to anything, including drones to improve positioning accuracy. The wristband activates automatically when the strap closes around the wrist, similar to a snap band mechanism. Once the band forms a closed loop, internal sensors detect contact and power up the device. At all other times, the wristband remains in an idle state to preserve battery life. As an attack happens, information coordinated with radar data and observations about attacks, the signal formed through LoRa mesh network is treated as automatically threaded as distress (SOS) signal, and rescuers are alerted and information about the state of victims is available to them. Added to that, the wristband is equipped with a manual SOS button that can be pressed in an emergency situation (attack), which sets all the network to distress state and alerts the emergency services/rescuers in the same manner.

How we built it

The Becon Smart Band is built using a combination of advanced communication, sensing, and manufacturing technologies to ensure reliability in extreme conditions. The device consists of two main physical elements —strap and a sealed electronic case that houses all critical components. The strap is made from lightweight, durable, and flexible polymer material, allowing for ergonomic comfort and easy customization of fit and design. Inside the main case, compact and energy-efficient electronic modules are integrated, including low-power communication technology for long-range emergency signaling, short-range precision localization using ultra-wideband pulses, and biometric sensors for heart rate and temperature monitoring. A replaceable button battery powers the system, managed by a smart power circuit to optimize energy use. Together, these technologies make the Becon Smart Band a cost-effective, scalable, and life-saving wearable device built for real-world rescue operations. The band case includes a UWB transmitter, LoRa transceiver, heart-rate and temperature sensor, and runs on a replaceable button (1000 mAh) battery.

Challenges we ran into

Signal jamming
Device distribution to civilians
Signal interception by the opponent
Acquiring safe, low cost and high quality components

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Mockup prototype that proves our concept
Measurements using similar principles

Additional info

The Smart Rescue Band is built for reliability and endurance in rescue and survival scenarios. It guarantees a minimum working time of 3 days in continuous active use but is capable of lasting for months or longer when the SOS function is not activated. The battery system only starts operating when the sensors detect a heartbeat and temperature, allowing the device to stay in standby mode with minimal power draw. When needed, pressing the SOS button instantly triggers an emergency signal, transmitting the wearer’s location to rescuers — ensuring both long-term readiness and immediate response capability.

Next steps

The next steps for this solution are:

Adjusting and applying the product for different rescue scenarios such as: - Marine forces for situations when people get lost in the sea - Earthquake or tsunami prone regions - Ski resorts in areas prone to avalanche.
Integrating additional safety features such: -Passive radar reflector which would enable rescuers to find people even in scenarios when the wristband has discharged or the device has been damaged. - Sound alarm to help to locate people easier.