In a statement, the Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) said it is considering launching an innovation competition around using wearable technology to prevent injuries in the British Army.
A study last year showed that almost one in five (19.8%) of British Army staff had been “medically downgraded”.
Of the physical injuries represented in this figure the most common were musculoskeletal injury (MSKI), environmental injury (from heat and cold) and noise induced hearing loss (NIHL).
DASA said it wants to engage with businesses to explore their interest and to help design the parameters of a potential future competition.
“This will provide us with an understanding of what already exists for injury prevention that can be adapted for military use as well as truly novel solutions,” added the statement.
It added DASA is interested in potential solutions that “utilise science and technology as a means to prevent, not treat, injury in service personnel”.
“We are looking for novel methods to provide early warning or prevention methods for physical injury, specifically using practical wearable technology,” the statement adds.
“We are also interested in ideas involving novel approaches to the data management and subsequent identification of issues using existing technology.
“We are interested in potential solutions that aim to address any or all of the areas at any level of maturity, particularly those that are at a higher technology level which could be trialled within six months.
“Potential solutions should be presented by teams with the experience and knowledge necessary to establish sound scientific evidence for any potential technology.”
The deadline for submissions is noon on Friday, 19 October.
Interested companies should complete the online short form Capability Submission Form for Wearable Technology .
