Wearable devices for worker safety tracking
Lone worker safety tracking. IIoT Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) is the subset of IoT wearable devices, targeted specifically at manufacturing industrial applications for employee tracking, patient tracking, visitor tracking, etc. The Industrial Internet of Things is about the interconnectivity of machine-to-machine, the sensor-transmitted data exchange, and its benefits to the smart factory/manufacturing industry. But, for this high-value equipment to be considered a part of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) they need the capability to “communicate” with each other. Fortunately, industrial and technology companies such as Ripples IoT wearable devices & solutions have been able to achieve this by creating Digital twin solutions that connect devices and allow them to “talk” using machine wearables for construction lone worker tracking, patient tracking, employee tracking for enhancing security, safety and productivity.
Wearable devices for worker tracking
The CEO of Intel, Brian Krzanich, was the first to use the term machine wearables for tracking when he referred to the practice of retrofitting industrial equipment with wireless sensors to track location and capture data about machine performance in real time. The sensor data is then used to identify equipment maintenance needs before they become breakdown issues, increase factory productivity, enhance the life of legacy manufacturing equipment, and lower costs. Although B2C IoT applications still addressing for 60% percent of the consumer wearables market, B2B industrial applications around condition monitoring are increasing annually giving rise to another IOT category – the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT).
RipplesIPS – Worker safety tracking with Mesh Network Explained
Ease of deployment
The solution is extremely easy to install thanks to the various means of fixation (high-performance double-sided sticker or support that can be screwed or nailed on), these tags can be fixed on any type of surface and do not require any wiring.
Geolocation without GPS
This worker safety tracking solution is based on the Wireless Mesh positioning technology, which does not require any wiring and does not require GPS. It is therefore very easy to deploy on all types of sites, even underground.
Real time location system for lone worker safety tracking
The indoor location technology (RTLS) offers an accuracy of up to 5 meters depending on the requirements. The location tags used include a 3-axis accelerometer, allowing them to refresh the positioning data more quickly when the worker is in motion.
Use case for worker tracking
Ensure the safety of workers descending into the underground
To respond in a simple way to regulatory constraints
Take into account the technical constraints: low temperatures (-10°C), shock resistance, and high humidity
Benefits of RipplesIPS worker tracking solution
Reliability of worker counting
Safety in case of incidents
Better control of access to the shaft
Verification by the team that no isolated worker is present in the tunnel
This system tracks workers on a construction site such as tunnels and nonexplosive environment mines using a network of devices and special software. Here’s a breakdown of the technology:
Network Setup:
- Lightweight Infrastructure: Instead of complex setups, this system uses a network of small devices called tags.
- Two Types of Tags:
- Fixed Tags (Anchors): These are permanently installed on the walls at regular intervals (like mini radio towers).
- Mobile Tags (Badges): RTLS devices are worn by workers anonymously (clipped to helmets or badges).
- Mesh Network: Mobile tags send signals to nearby anchors, which then relay them to others, creating a web-like network.
Location Tracking:
- Signal Strength (RSSI): The strength of the signal received by anchors from mobile tags helps determine the worker’s location.
- Industrial Gateways: Placed strategically, these gateways collect the raw data from anchors.
- Data Transmission: Gateways send the raw data to a central server managed by the client.
Data Processing and Visualization:
Ripples IPS: This software converts the raw data into understandable location information (like GPS coordinates – latitude and longitude).
Business Application: RipplesIPS software platform where users can see the worker locations on a layout map (similar to Google Maps).
Benefits for Users:
- Real-time Tracking: See where your workers are located on the construction site.
- Zone Distribution: Understand how workers are spread across different site zones.
- Alert System: Can Send audible (buzzer) and visual (LED) alerts to workers during emergencies like an evacuation.
- Decision-making Tools: RipplesIPS dashboard provide valuable data about worker movement and site organization
Overall, this lone worker tracking solution offers a simple and effective way to track workers indoors using a network of tags and translates the data into a user-friendly map for improved site management and safety.
Wearables devices for industrial applications
The IoT is more common than you, shop floor managers, and maintenance teams may realize. For example, every time you access the camera from your smartphone you are using IoT. Essentially, the IoT retrofit kit works in a similar fashion but is developed specifically for factory assets and manufacturing plants. The sensors attached to your equipment communicate via wireless mesh that measures temperature, humidity, air quality, pressure, vibration, etc. The shop floor premise behind this setup is that smart factory machines which perform better than the smartest shop floor managers, at capturing, analyzing, and communicating large amounts of real-time data using machine wearable devices.