Amrita University readies device for women's safety

A security device put together at the Centrel for Cyber Security Systems and Networks at the Amrita University in Kerala promises to offer women the chance of alerting their families when attacked.

Krishnashree Achuthan, director of the Kollam-based Amrita University's Centre for Cyber Security Systems and Networks, led the team which developed the Amrita Personal Safety System (APSS).

"APSS is an inconspicuous, wearable and easy-to-operate electronic device that will help girls and women to trigger communication with family and police when in distress. The device will remain invisible to the offender and yet can easily be triggered by its user with multiple options to ensure stealthy and secure communication," Achuthan said.

The nationwide outrage sparked by macabre incidents like the Dec 16 rape and death of a girl in Delhi set the Amrita Centre cyber-security professionals to work.

The Amrita Centre for Cyber Security is making efforts to ensure that this device is securely lodged in an earring or a ring.

"We are designing it so that it can be affordable. The device will soon be equipped with technology that can videotape events," added the director.

A distinct feature of APSS is that it can function even in rural areas where the speed of communication is minimal.

Also, this device intelligently combines many location-aware technologies and it can function both indoors and outdoors.

"This customisable device provides flexibility in design so it can be easily worn, and integrates more than 15 features pertaining to women's safety and security. Significantly, it can also be used as a safety device for mentally challenged people with many functionalities to quickly identify their whereabouts," said Achuthan.

The centre's director recalled that her team of researchers were inspired by Amrita University's chancellor Mata Amritanandamayi Devi.

The APSS prototype will be formally unveiled during Amritavarsham 60 - the 60th birthday celebrations of Amritanandamayi, Sep 26-27 at her ashram at Kollam.