Empowering employees to take their safety into their own hands makes a better work environment, and what better way to do that than with technology? We’re digging into applications which do just that, and we’re also looking at solutions to improve accessibility in cities, getting rid of the skills gap in manufacturing, and staying warm in overly airconditioned offices.

IoT puts safety in employees’ hands

Modern safety is data-driven, but there’s so much data that it’s difficult to make sense of it or take action. Adrienne Selko reports that Ted Smith wants to make it easy for employees to make the right safety decisions so they remain engaged. He implemented an IoT-based platform that is shared, ensuring accountability and proactive rather than reactive safety. As data is shared in real-time, employees quickly voice concerns and take action. Technology like this decreases risk in a significant way. Read more about it on IndustryWeek!

Connect the sidewalk, make cities more accessible

Mobility in cities is a challenge for people struggling with disabilities. Cities are difficult places to navigate when you’re in a wheelchair or using a walker. Google has already started updating their maps with accessibility information, making it easier to get around. But that’s not enough. Jason Plautz describes which technological efforts are being made, such as different apps and databases, and one of them stands out: Project Sidewalk, which uses Google Street View and machine learning to map out accessible routes. If this data gets consolidated into an easy-to-use app, life for people struggling with mobility would become a lot easier. Find out more on Smart Cities Dive.

AI to close the skills gap

Blue-collar jobs require specific skills, and people possessing them are harder and harder to find. The company contextere believes that this problem can be solved by technology. They claim that all people are skilled, they just haven’t received the right training. This company wants to use technology to teach those skills. Through a combination of IIoT, machine learning, and AR, the training options that don’t take valuable time away from experienced employees are plentiful, and finding new employees becomes easier. They just need to be willing to learn, and use technology to do so, which millennials and Gen Z certainly doesn’t shy away from! Sounds like a huge project, and IndustryWeek is the place to find out more.

Summer is coming, beware the AC

Anyone temperature is not going to cut it for everyone. Some people are bound to be cold, everyone has that person in the office who walks around with a sweater when it’s sweltering outside. And for them, there is a solution: a wearable that maintains a constant temperature, of your choosing, even when the surrounding’s temperature changes. Currently, it’s an armband, but they’re working on a vest which would be more effective. Also, it could be more energy efficient to supply everyone with those devices, rather than cooling/heating the whole building. Win-Win! Check it out on ThomasNet.

We’ll be back next week with more news, thoughts, and musings. Subscribe to make sure you don’t miss it!