TM R&D has come out with a helmet that’s digitally connected to improve the safety of its workers, writes Balqis Lim
PROTECTING one’s head is vital when working at a field or construction site.
As one of the most frequently used Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), a safety helmet will protect one’s head against impact from falling objects such as stones, roof tiles, concrete pillars and bricks.
One telecommunications company has taken it further to develop a smart safety helmet that’s digitally connected to provide live, wireless monitoring and features an array of sensors.
TM Research & Development (TM R&D), the research arm and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia (TM), is committed to improve the quality of life and productivity of its workers.
Its chief executive officer, Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah, says the smart safety helmet started off as a challenge from the management team.
“Within a few weeks, the first working prototype was ready. The final version was completed from four iterations in five months,” she adds.
THE JOURNEY
In the first iteration of the smart safety helmet, Sharlene says the team incorporated personal tracking and voice communication features, which include geolocation, geo-fencing and geo-policing technology.
“When we started this, we also asked users and industry players what they want in a helmet and how they would use it.
“We showcased it at exhibitions and got feedback from participants. We kept upgrading and adding more features to the helmet so that it could be used across all sectors,” she says.
For the first iteration, the team embedded incident detection and emergency response feature. A mobile app was added during its third iteration and finally, live feeds and remote coaching.
SMART OPERATIONS
The safety smart helmet is enabled via remote communication as it supports WiFi, LTE and Bluetooth connectivity.
Sharlene says that the company learnt from oil and gas companies that they do not have LTE connection at their refinery, hence the variation of connection options.
“It will be dependent on the connection in the area. Just like our mobile phones, the helmet can deliver the information faster and even display videos in HD quality with better connection,” she adds.
On the front of the helmet is a small camera that can be used for on-site/off-site collaboration, such as remote coaching.
“For telco companies, we need workers to climb towers to fix antenna, check cables as well as enter manholes to do underground repair works.
“The troubleshooting can be assisted remotely between the worker and his supervisor, who can be at a different location, as the camera feed transmits in real-time,” adds Sharlene.
The geolocation capability is used for on-site attendance or on-the-ground personnel tracking.
As workers tend to not wear safety helmets when they are on the field, Sharlene says that the sensor on the smart helmet will detect whether it is being worn.
“At TM, we want to enforce our workers to use it. The sensor will detect if the wearer is just holding it. The information will be available on the dashboard for the supervisor to monitor,” she says.
DURABILITY
In terms of impact detection, the helmet is able to notify supervisors of any incident.
Any incident that happens on-site will alert the supervisor at the central office. There’s also a mobile app for monitoring on-the-go.
Another useful feature is the panic button that sits on the right side of the helmet.
“Sometimes, because of an untoward accident, the worker may not be able to move. In such an instance, the panic button can be activated by voice command.
“The supervisor-in-charge then will be notified who will then communicate with the worker via a live feed camera to find out his condition,” she says.
Sharlene adds that the features and functions of the smart safety helmet are customisable to meet the needs of different working environments.
DATA-DRIVEN TECH
Sharlene summarises the safety helmet as a data-driven smart industrial device. It’s an Internet of Things (IoT) solution to create a safer worksite.
“All data collected can be analysed. One of the things we did with the data was to identify the area where workers tend to slip and fall. Based on the data from the helmet, we are able to address this problem immediately,” she says.
“The helmet also has an impact prediction capability. For example, if there is an incident, we have sensors that will be able to calculate the impact and determine if it is potentially a concussion or something less severe,” she adds.
AWARD-WINNING INNOVATION
TM R&D has won the Cross Category: Research & Development for its innovative Smart Safety Helmet during the 19th MSC Malaysia Asia Pacific ICT Awards (MSC Malaysia APICTA) 2018, organised by the National ICT Association of Malaysia (Pikom).
Winning this prestigious award places TM R&D as the champion of research and development last year.
MSC Malaysia APICTA gives recognition to outstanding achievements of individuals, students, entrepreneurs, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and organisations with operations in Malaysia, who have contributed to the development of the MSC Malaysia initiatives, or in building applications and services for the benefit of the country.
TM R&D chief executive officer Dr Sharlene Thiagarajah says the smart helmet will be ready to enter the market in the third quarter this year.
The first of its kind in Malaysia, TM will be deploying this helmet for industry players across various sectors such as oil and gas, construction, manufacturing, mining and the utility industry.
The smart safety helmet is also part of one of the five pillars of smart solutions under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between TM and Petronas last year to increase operational excellence and enhance customer experience.