SKT 'Smart Jikimi' Helps Disabled Workers Commute Safely to Work

[Asia Economy Reporter Seolgina Jo] SK Telecom announced on the 25th that it will start the distribution project of ‘Smart Keeper’ to help ensure the safe commuting of workers with disabilities in collaboration with the Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled.

Smart Keeper is an easy-to-use wristband-type wearable tracker that has been distributed to local governments nationwide, significantly contributing to the early detection of missing vulnerable groups such as elderly dementia patients and people with developmental disabilities, thereby reducing the personal and social burdens associated with searching for missing persons.

The Korea Employment Agency for the Disabled decided to introduce Smart Keeper to strengthen the commuting safety of workers with disabilities. Starting with the delivery of about 100 units to Seongnam City this month, the agency plans to distribute the devices sequentially by receiving applications from workplaces or workers in need through its branches nationwide.

By using Smart Keeper, families and workplaces can check the real-time commuting routes of workers with disabilities, enabling quick responses to any potential dangerous situations.

Additionally, it is expected to contribute to strengthening the social safety net by allowing people with developmental disabilities who have difficulties commuting by public transportation to quickly receive help from the police or family members in case of emergencies.

Smart Keeper consists of a wearable tracker using LoRa (a dedicated IoT network) and GPS, a dedicated application, and an integrated safety platform. If the wearer leaves the pre-set protection zone set by the guardian, the app sends a notification to confirm the departure, and if necessary, the wearer’s location information can be shared with multiple family members. The wearer’s location information is updated every 5 to 10 minutes via the LoRa network depending on the settings and is transmitted to the control center and the guardian’s smartphone through SK Telecom’s ‘Smart Safety Platform.’

Shin Yong-sik, Head of SK Telecom’s Massive IoT Business Division, said, “SKT has been leading the prevention of missing persons among socially vulnerable groups through close cooperation with local governments and government agencies via the Smart Keeper project,” adding, “We plan to continuously enhance the service so that Smart Keeper can be a companion that helps workers with disabilities live safely in society.”