The pioneering connected tactical vest initiative leverages AI for its system capable of detecting abnormal situations and communicates these alerts to a command centre through IoT.
This breakthrough, tailored to the operational requirements of various law enforcement roles, marks the initial achievement of a collaboration between the General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie (DGGN) in France and Wearin’, a startup within the Swiss technology group Conextivity.
The novel tactical IoT solution, designed to complement existing body armour, offers enhanced safety and connectivity. It features a cutting-edge AI-powered alert mechanism, the Wearin’ Brain, functioning independently from conventional radio systems. This durable device activates through a manual SOS button or automatically upon detecting anomalies such as loss of verticality, penetration of the armour by a stab wound, or a bullet impact, and concurrently sends the user’s location.
The connectivity kit includes smart power management through a central high-performance battery, ensuring eight hours of autonomy and significantly extending the operational life of the gendarmes’ electronic devices. Its streamlined cabling design allows for all equipment to be charged via a single cable, facilitating easy connection post-mission or to a vehicle during longer operations.
Co-developed by Wearin’ and the DGGN, the prototype connected tactical vest optimises both ergonomics and the physical-digital integration of the alert and communication devices used by gendarmes. The Wearin’ Brain, the Wearin’ Battery, and its quick-release mechanism are seamlessly incorporated into the vest using MOLLE fasteners and robust multifunctional pouches, avoiding any snagging. Additionally, the vest features luminous fibres for improved visibility during night operations.
Lieutenant-Colonel Fabrice Blanc, director of the “connected vest” programme at the DGGN, shared: “The vest we are co-developing with Wearin’ incorporates the latest in connectivity, detection, communication, and visibility technologies.” The Wearin’ X DGGN Smart Tactical Vest is designed with an open, modular architecture, prioritising the interoperability of existing and future systems. This flexible approach ensures the vest can evolve to meet the varied operational demands of law enforcement agencies.
Jonathan Brossard, Director of Wearin’ and CEO of Conextivity Group, stated: “Versatility, modularity, and interoperability are central to our research and development. We aim to trial the smart vest’s functionalities and performance across gendarmerie units throughout 2024, addressing their diverse safety, resilience, and operational efficiency needs.” This collaboration with the DGGN involves combining expertise, skills, and technologies to create a state-of-the-art, adaptable system that will grow to fulfil the evolving requirements of various law enforcement roles and missions.
The IoT platform by Wearin’ offers a command centre dashboard integration, providing commanders real-time operational insights from sensors, warning devices, and communication systems. This information enables faster tactical decisions and enhances coordination and response times of intervention units.
The partnership between Wearin’ and the DGGN, endorsed by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces’ Defense Innovation Agency and the National Gendarmerie’s Transformation Department, was formalised in November 2023. The connected tactical vest was first presented at the Milipol show in Paris in November 2023 and will be featured at the World Police Summit in Dubai, from 5-7 March 2024, at Wearin’ stand no. SS2 A32. It has also been shortlisted for the World Police Summit Awards in the Innovative Police Force category.
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