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WASP: Wearable Advanced Sensor Platform
In the News: The Station Uniform Shirt : Does it play a role beyond appearance? Firehouse magazine, January 2013
Globe previewed WASP™, a Wearable Advanced Sensor Platform, at FDIC 2013. This body-worn system integrates physiological monitoring and location tracking into a single system that collects, transmits, and displays user data at a command station. Such a system has been a high priority for the fire service in order to help reduce firefighter deaths and disabilities due to stress and overexertion. "Beta" versions of WASP will initially be available for use at select training academies in 2013. |
The physiological status monitoring (PSM) system, using technology provided by Zephyr Technologies, tracks in real time firefighter heart rate, respiration, activity levels and other physiological factors. The PSM sensor is on a strap housed within a fire resistant T-shirt and provides live data transmission as well as data collection on the device itself for download as needed. The T-shirt is comfortable since firefighters will need to wear it continuously for up to 24 hours, as well as durable because the T-shirt must withstand normal firefighter activities and multiple washes. WASP T-shirts are manufactured by Globe and are compatible with all Zephyr BioHarness™ 3 configurations.
The location tracking system, using technology provided by TRX Systems, permits ready integration with Motorola APX or Android cell phones. The unit, about the size of a deck of cards, is worn on a belt under the firefighter's turnout gear. Both physiology and location data for each user wearing the WASP system are displayed on the same command station screen.
The command station for the WASP system is a Windows-based laptop and receives either data from live sessions or the logged data from memory and provides tools to rapidly analyze user physiological response over time, in addition to showing user location. Easy to transport hard cases house the computer and provide 1-plug battery charging for the location tracking units and radios, store the PSM units that are inserted into the T-shirts before firefighter deployment, and store additional units as necessary. The entire system is efficient for users to set up on scene and operate without technical support.
The WASP project team conducted field trials at the Illinois Fire Service Institute in Champaign, IL, Atlanta Fire Department in Atlanta, GA, Fairfax Fire Department Training Center in Fairfax, VA, Annapolis Fire Department in Annapolis, MD, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service in College Station, TX. The field trials provided invaluable direct firefighter feedback that was incorporated into all phases of development, design, and production.
WASP Project Team
- Globe Manufacturing Company —management, product development, manufacturing
- Zephyr Technology Corporation—physiological monitoring technology
- TRX Systems, Inc.—location/tracking technology
- Propel—textile development
- Skidmore College / Health and Exercise Sciences Department—physiology science
- US Army NSRDEC/National Protection Center—funding and project management
