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Landerico Benson
Proxxi: A wearable device that protects workers from electric shocks
Electricity is essential for many industries, but it can also be deadly. Every year, thousands of workers are injured or killed by electric shocks, arc flashes, and electrocution. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electrical hazards caused 166 fatalities and 1,900 injuries in 2019.
One of the challenges of working with electricity is that it is often invisible and silent. Workers may not be aware of the presence or proximity of high voltage sources until it is too late. That's why a Canadian startup called Proxxi has developed a wearable device that alerts workers when they are near dangerous electricity.
Proxxi is an always-on sensor that buzzes when it gets too close to high voltage electricity. It is worn on the wrist or upper arm and connects to a smartphone app that tracks the user's location, activity, and exposure to electricity. The device can also send notifications to supervisors or safety managers in case of an incident.
The device uses a patented technology that measures the electric field around the user and calculates the distance and direction of the source. It can detect voltages from 120V to 500kV and warn the user with different vibration patterns depending on the level of risk.
Proxxi was founded in 2016 by Campbell Macdonald, a former engineer at British Columbia Hydro, who saw the need for a better way to protect workers from electricity. He teamed up with James Gallagher, a hardware expert who previously worked at Recon Instruments and Intel, to create the first prototype.
"This represents a whole new class of hardware protection for industrial workers who are used to protection being process driven or protective gear like gloves and masks," Macdonald said in an interview with TechCrunch[^1^].
Proxxi has been tested and validated by several utility companies, such as BC Hydro, Hydro One, and FortisBC. It has also been adopted by other industries that deal with electricity, such as manufacturing, oil and gas, and construction. The company claims that Proxxi has prevented over 10,000 electric shocks since its launch.
Proxxi is not only a safety device, but also a data platform that can help companies improve their efficiency and productivity. By collecting and analyzing data from Proxxi devices, companies can identify areas of high risk, optimize work schedules, reduce downtime, and prevent accidents.
"We are creating smart industrial workers who have a sixth sense for electricity," Macdonald said. "We are giving them superpowers so they can do their jobs better."
Proxxi is designed to catch and correct human error before it leads to an injury. It acts as a second pair of eyes that constantly scans the environment for electricity and warns the user if they are getting too close to a live source. The device can be customized to suit different voltage levels, work zones, and user preferences.
"We're not trying to replace anything that exists," Macdonald says. "We're trying to augment it and make it better."
Proxxi has received positive feedback from users who have tried it. According to Macdonald, many workers have reported feeling more confident and comfortable on the job site, knowing that they have an extra layer of protection. Some users have also shared stories of how Proxxi has saved them from potential shocks or burns.
"One of our customers told us that he was working on a panel that he thought was de-energized, but his Proxxi started buzzing and he realized that there was still power coming from somewhere. He checked again and found out that there was a generator that was still running and feeding power to the panel. He said that if it wasn't for Proxxi, he would have touched it and gotten hurt," Macdonald recalls.
Another user said that he was working on a transformer that had a faulty ground wire. He didn't notice it until his Proxxi alerted him to the danger. He fixed the wire and avoided a potential shock.
"These are the stories that make us really happy," Macdonald says. "We're not just making a product, we're making a difference."
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