Catalan start-up Lizcore, which specialises in indoor climbing technology, and the Eurecat technology centre have devised a new smart device which monitors climbers’ safety on climbing walls by tapping advanced artificial intelligence to spot potential dangers and generate alerts.
The innovation, which has built-in cameras, sensors and actuators, automatically checks the connection of the carabiner to the harness in real time and monitors safety on the climbing route by scanning for other climbers to avoid collisions and keep the likelihood of indoor climbing accidents as low as possible.
“As a climber since I was 12 years old, climbing safety is a priority for me and the company,” says Lizcore CEO Edgar Casanovas. “The partnership with Eurecat has spurred our development process and enabled us to deliver innovative solutions to the market faster and more flexibly to efficiently help avert potential safety issues for climbers.”
Eurecat has devised a new automatic locking system in this project for the various types of descenders used in climbing gyms.
“The design of this device is based on the company’s logo to give it a visual identity,” adds Santi Pérez, head of Electronic Product Development in Eurecat’s Product Innovation & Multiphysics Simulation Unit. “It also has lighting features to let the climber know whether the carabiner is properly anchored to the harness using cameras and AI algorithms which additionally check the safety space while the climber is in the area.”
“Teams of electronic engineers, data scientists and industrial designers from Eurecat have worked closely in partnership with Lizcore to develop this innovative device.”
The new smart device also includes alerts complete with light indicators and a buzzer and customisable notifications for climbers and climbing wall managers plus the option to network with other devices in the gym.
