Wearable Tech For Women's Safety Wins $1 Million XPrize

This smart necklace was designed to combat sexual assault.

Leaf Wearables won the $1 million Women’s Safety XPRIZE for creating a device called Safer Pro, which can record audio and send alerts.

“We have been working tirelessly to solve the problem of safety using technology,” stated Team Leader Manik Mehta. “It has been our mission to make one billion families safer.”

Anu and Naveen Jain launched the $1 million global competition in 2016 to develop tech to ensure women’s safety. Their challenge asked participants to create a device that sends an emergency alert in less than 90 seconds and costs less than $40. The Safer Pro won for its speed and price ($28.50).

“We’re very excited to have launched a $1 million prize for women’s safety. Safety is a fundamental human right and shouldn’t be considered a luxury for women,” Anu stated.

Leaf Wearables have already sold tens of thousands of its early version smart devices in India, including smart jewelry and watches. The device works everywhere, including rural area and places without wireless networks.  

One in three women around the world face sexual violence in their life and 92% of New Delhi women have reported sexual violence in public spaces in their lifetime.