Sharing Worker selects Insight SIP’s ISP3080-UX UWB/BLE module for an innovative accident avoidance system, making construction sites safer

There are always blind spots around vehicles, and often a lot of noise, meaning a worker on foot might not hear an approaching or reversing vehicle. Accidents are expensive for the construction firm, and of course could lead to long term disability or worse for the worker.

In order to significantly reduce the risk of accidents, Sharing Worker have implemented an innovative solution using Ultra Wide Band (UWB) wireless technology to create a “Security Bubble” around dangerous vehicles. The UWB radio is able to measure distance precisely between a worker and a vehicle, and thus alert the driver if a person is too close to the vehicle.

This system, called “Flash Protec’” has units (Gyros) mounted in the vehicles, whilst the workers around them (or site visitors) wear a bracelet. The Bracelet uses UWB technology, which provides the most accurate distance measurement, to provide an alert to the worker if a vehicle is approaching in the form of a vibration. The driver of the vehicle is also alerted.

The Bracelet can work for over a week without needing to be recharged by using intelligent power management techniques.

Florent Bonneau at Sharing Worker said “We chose the ISP3080-UX as it contained nearly all the elements we needed for our standalone devices (UWB radio, BLE radio and accelerometer, and onboard microprocessor) in a miniature package, enabling an easily wearable solution. Our innovative solutions set us apart in a connected PPE market in which various approaches exist”.

Nick Wood, Sales and Marketing Director at Insight SIP said “This is a great application of UWB technology. We are please to see our module used in a way that can prevent accidents and potentially even save lives”.

The ISP3080-UX contains the QM33110W Qorvo UWB transceiver, and an nRF52833 BLE radio with integrated microprocessor from Nordic Semiconductor, with integrated antennas for both radios. It is certified for global markets and is provided in a miniature 12 x 12 mm package, thus offering the smallest solution on the market.