A revolutionary Artificial Intelligence [AI] based wearable technology that helps employees avoid physical injury at work, is being rolled out across the UK by Stanley, one of the leading providers of innovative technology in the workplace. The wearable technology, which has been developed by Soter Analytics, and is being implemented in the UK by Stanley, comes as two integrated products – Soter Coach and Soter Task.

Soter Coach delivers personalised coaching to workers using a wearable device and provides recommendations via a mobile app. It directly challenges the traditional classroom style of manual handling training, by identifying, addressing, and monitoring unsafe movement and posture whilst carrying out everyday activities as part of an employee’s role. Using Soter Coach, a typical worker improves their ergonomic safety by reducing the hazardous back and shoulder movements they make by up to 55%.

Soter Task is an AI-driven vision processing technology to assess ergonomic risk within tasks in minutes and on-the-go. This cloud-based solution combines video captured through a mobile application with AI-driven data analysis to accurately measure risk movements in the workplace, and help with ​implementing tools that keep workers safe. In this way it allows employees to manage their own physical wellbeing and helps businesses reduce the risk of injury.

Graham Sharp, MD of Stanley said: “Workplace injuries are on the rise meaning the use of AI tech and wearable devices will be increasingly important over the coming years to help reduce this risk. Combined with litigation claims and worker shortages, using the small wearable device to improve business productivity, reduce company absenteeism and create a safer and healthier workplace makes for a compelling proposition. The intuitive system also allows for real-time learning and improvement providing personalised coaching to encourage behaviour change. So for example if the wearer moves awkwardly or dangerously, the device provides feedback via audio or vibration.”

The new devices are already being trialled successfully with a global energy company who are now looking at rolling them out comprehensively across their business.

Dail Wiens, Head of Partnerships at Soter Analytics said: “It’s exciting to be working with Stanley. With our aligned consumer-centric goals, this collaboration brings together a powerful combination of leading products, broad technical expertise, and strong customer relationships, all dedicated to the same cause, to protect the well-being of employees”.