The Internet of Things is an umbrella term for the technologies that allow different connected objects to communicate with each other. Within the Smart&Safe project, IoT has been used to test prototype solutions aimed at increasing the perceived safety of children and young people in public places. The project has been part of the IoT Sweden innovation programme funded by Vinnova, the Swedish Energy Agency and Formas.
Behind Smart&Safe are the Compare Foundation, Karlstad Energy, Karlstad Municipality, Karlstad University and the Värmland Police Authority. During the course of the project, however, the number of parties involved has gradually increased, which is proof that this type of collaboration is needed. Now that the project has come together, some 40 actors from both the business and public sectors have become involved in one way or another.
– The Smart&Safe project shows what can be achieved when we combine different perspectives and resources in genuine co-operation. By bringing together public actors, businesses and young people, we have created a platform where IoT solutions are not only tested but also developed for real needs. This collaboration is key to building safer societies where all actors contribute and strengthen each other,” said Carolin Maule, Smart&Safe project manager at Compare, who acted as moderator during the final seminar.
The project has been highlighted in several contexts as a positive example of how cross-border collaboration should work to create real change. Part of the approach has even been labelled the Smart&Safe model. Evidence of the project’s cross-border collaboration was shown not least in the final seminar’s panel, which consisted of a few different actors who have been important vertebrae in the project’s backbone:
- John Weslien, Police Authority in Värmland
- Ulrika K Jansson, Director of Karlstad Municipality
- Marie Edwinsson, City lawyer in Karlstad municipality
- Sofia Max, Technical and Property Administration in Karlstad Municipality
- Håkan Lindh, Vestre
- Johan Lundin, Redpill Linpro
- Sipho Khumalo, Karlstad Youth Council
- Rebecca Karlsson, SafeStyle UF
- Linnea Hörbäck Ränk, SafeStyle UF
- Ella Hastor Gunic, SafeStyle UF
During the final seminar, the IoT solutions developed within Smart&Safe were presented to increase the perceived safety. One of the solutions has been built around the (L)bracelet, a personal alarm in the form of a scrunchie hair cord by the JA company SafeStyle, and Plegium, which is behind the alarm button inside. To complement the (L)bracelet’s existing solution, which sends GPS location to selected contacts, it was tested to link the alarm to street lighting via smart luminaires controlled by Capelon, and speakers to create a deterrent effect when activated.
Another solution is an interactive park bench with voice function and wifi, developed within the project in collaboration between Karlstads Energi, Vestre, Redpill Linpro and Norrsidans Innovation. During the seminar, the initiative was presented by Henrik Holm at Karlstads Energi.
Thomas Wernerheim, Development and Innovation Strategist at the Municipality of Karlstad, also presented the linked initiative Guidance in the City, which has resulted in a digital companion in the form of the Open City app. The app, developed by We Know IT, will make it easier for people with cognitive needs to manoeuvre independently through Karlstad.
Fortunately, all the solutions developed during the project will be further developed within the framework of Karlstad Municipality’s innovation initiative Smart and Sustainable Karlstad. The Technology and Property Administration is in dialogue with SafeStyle and Plegium about testing the (L)armband in more districts. In dialogue with Karlstads Energi, Redpill Linpro and Karlstad University, the administration has also decided that the interactive park bench at Stora Torget will have a new home at Karlstad University, where it will continue to be used as a test bed for IoT solutions.
