Zurich – The startup SmartWatcher has developed a smart emergency watch that helps elderly people remain independent for longer. As part of a pilot project, Swiss Post will deliver the watch to your home and the postman will explain how it functions.

SmartWatcher launched its smart emergency watch on the market around a year ago, which allows seniors to request help at the push of a button in an emergency. The alarm is activated at the contact persons, whose availability is programmed into the watch in advance. Up to 12 contact persons may be specified. If more than one person responds to the alarm at the same time, a conference call is automatically started between them. Instead of using private contacts, users of the watch can also be connected to an emergency call centre. A built-in GPS system displays the precise location of the watch’s owner.

In cooperation with Swiss Post, SmartWatcher is now testing a new sales channel for its watches. As many elderly people are reluctant to go to a specialized dealer – and are even less likely to shop online – the watch can be brought to your home by a postman, who will then present the three different watch designs for a fee. If the watch is purchased, the fee will be deducted from the sales price. The postman can also explain how to operate the watch and even perform a test alarm.

If the pilot project develops according to plan, it will be implemented throughout Switzerland in 2019, which SmartWatcher hopes will lead to an increase in sales figures.

Both the emergency call system itself and the software behind it were developed in Switzerland. Founded in 2015, SmartWatcher is located in the Technopark Zurich.

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