There are several ways to defend yourself on a daily (or nightly) basis. There are karate lessons, remembering to SING (solar plexus, instep, nose, and groin), and pepper spray – and then there’s the Defender Smart Protection Device. Defender, a device roughly the size and shape of a skinny lipstick, syncs to both Android and iOS phones while serving as a self-defense method while you’re out and about on the streets.
Think of it as pepper spray on steroids. Pop the Defender into your pocket, or attach it to your keys while you’re out running, doing errands, or just walking from place to place. If you find yourself in a situation where someone compromises your safety, whip the Defender out, aim it at the assailant’s face, and push a button to unleash its fury.
Yes, we do mean fury. Not only does the Defender sound a shrill alarm, it takes a picture of your assailant using its built-in camera while flashing a bright light in their face. It also alerts authorities using your phone’s GPS system and sends them the picture that was just taken. Did we mention it also dispenses pepper spray? Law enforcement grade pepper spray. Talk about an absolute smorgasbord of deterrents.
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Once the alert has been sent out, Defender’s 24/7 monitoring team will be able to alert proper authorities on your location and provide them with a photo of the suspect to help them nab the baddie. The Defender also includes a medical alert button for health emergencies, which should give families with elderly members greater peace of mind.
While Singapore is certainly safer than its neighbours, there could still be potential for the Defender here. Walking at home alone after hours in neighbourhood areas could be much safer, and given Singapore’s aging population, the medical alert button would allow the elderly to signal for help with the push of a button. There’s also a need for such a device in places like urban Malaysia, where snatch thefts, robberies, and assault seem to be increasingly commonplace.
The product is in its final stages of crowdfunding on Indiegogo, and USD$159 will get you the product, the app, and one year of the 24/7 monitoring service. The campaign closes in September, with the first devices set to be shipped at the end of 2014.
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