Actility is pleased to announce the acquisition of API-K, a Grenoble-based technology startup specializing in outdoor geosecurity.
Prior to this acquisition, API-K and Abeeway, a wholly owned subsidiary of Actility, had already collaborated for years to develop low-power IoT LoRaWAN® devices and networks for ski resorts.
Revolutionizing rescue operations
API-K has developed a revolutionary search and rescue technology that increases the effective search radius by two times compared to existing technologies. Air rescue teams can detect API-K's Personal Location Beacon (PLB) signal up to 10 km away.
Unlike existing systems that rely on expensive and difficult to integrate equipment, the API-K geolocation detector is lightweight, portable and weighs less than 100g and can be carried on any type of aircraft or drone without complex integration.
This technology significantly reduces recovery time: if the person being sought is within the search radius of their last known position, a helicopter can fly over them within a few minutes, even if they are buried under snow. API-K detectors are already in use by French air rescue teams (PGHM), allowing API-K PLB users to perform a recovery anywhere in France.
“The Personal Locator Beacon enables very effective tracking and locating, even outside the range of telecommunications networks. Anyone equipped with an API-K/Abeeway PLB in France can now be found by the PGHM if a relative calls 112,” says Olivier FAVRE, Head of the Mountain Safety Innovation Unit of the High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM).
Successful cooperation and future integration
API-K will be integrated into Abeeway in the future and will expand the group's portfolio of patents and location technologies. Actility, Abeeway and the API-K team aim to integrate API-K's PLB technology into leading outdoor brands' products through licensing and equip more rescue organizations and emergency response teams with the API-K detection system. This prospect is welcomed by API-K's customers and partners.
“Courchevel is pleased to be able to continue to ensure the safety of its ski area and the traffic of motorized vehicles using the technology developed by API-K, while maintaining the ability to adapt the collaboration to the specific needs of the resort.”
Beyond the mountain world, Actility and Abeeway also want to apply the technology to Securing natural parks, sea rescue and recovering stolen assets.
Mr Hersent, founder of the Actility Groupcommented: “People's safety is of course a primary concern and every minute is precious when it comes to locating and rescuing a missing person. In this context, API-K's very long range Personal Locator Beacon technology already enables air rescue units to locate transmitter carriers even if the last known position is only within a 10 km radius. We will work to make API-K technology the new standard for outdoor geosecurity, but also more generally for aerial and terrestrial Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.”
Nicolas Sornin and François Sforza, founders of API-Klooks back on the journey: “Since we invented LoRa®, we have worked tirelessly to extend IoT networks across entire countries and even into space. Nevertheless, emergencies can occur when the network is unavailable. With API-K's peer-to-peer location technology, rescue teams no longer have to spend hours searching the sky for a tiny dot on the ground. The long-range LoRa® signal has become a life-saving technology and one of our most significant achievements. We are delighted that our long-term partner Actility wants to further develop this technology.”
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