A groundbreaking collaboration emerges between two tech firms, Revector and 4D Products, at Sci-Tech Daresbury.
- The teams have designed a bespoke backpack for search and rescue operations in Vietnam’s dense vegetation.
- Revector’s phone tracking device narrows the location of a missing person to a 20-metre radius.
- 4D Products developed a cradle for the tracking unit, enabling streamlined search operations.
- This technology is set to significantly enhance the efficiency of rescue missions in challenging terrains.
In a promising development, two technology firms based at Sci-Tech Daresbury, Revector and 4D Products, have joined forces to create a groundbreaking search and rescue backpack. The collaboration was sparked during a business networking event, where the potential for combining their expertise became apparent.
The initiative focuses on enhancing search and rescue operations in Vietnam, where dense vegetation poses substantial challenges. Revector, leveraging its two decades of experience in telecommunications and security, developed a phone tracking device capable of detecting and narrowing down a missing person’s mobile signal to a precise 20-metre radius. This technical innovation is pivotal for locating individuals quickly in remote and densely forested areas, where traditional search methods may falter.
Recognising the need for a practical solution to deploy this device in the field, Revector partnered with product design specialists 4D Products. Together, they devised a custom cradle to house the 10kg signal tracking unit, which is incorporated into backpacks used by search and rescue teams. This pragmatic design allows operators to carry the equipment seamlessly, ensuring the technology fits the rigorous demands of rescue missions.
The proximity of these companies within the Sci-Tech Daresbury campus has considerably expedited the design and prototyping process. As Shane Wilson, CEO of Revector, highlighted, the campus environment facilitated immediate collaboration opportunities, enabling swift progression from concept to prototype. “This technology is groundbreaking for search and rescue teams in Vietnam,” he asserted, emphasising the significant impact on rescue operations in terrain-challenged regions.
Adam Farrall, a designer at 4D Products, credited the collaborative effort for speeding up production. The teams could engage directly, discuss intricate design details, and implement changes without the delays that typically accompany remote communication. This efficiency culminated in a working prototype being developed within a single day, underscoring the advantages of their shared working environment.
John Leake, Sci-Tech Daresbury’s business growth director, noted the critical role of close business proximity and cross-company cooperation in driving rapid innovation and commercialisation. The successful partnership between Revector and 4D Products serves as a testament to the power of collaborative ecosystems in realising novel technological solutions.
The collaboration between Revector and 4D Products exemplifies the potential of co-located innovation hubs in advancing search and rescue technology.
