Israeli Woman Develops Personal Safety Device to Deter Attackers
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
Sarit Sterlitz, 20, and Liron Revivo, 21, developed "Safely," a personal safety device that alerts authorities and emits a loud siren and light when activated. The device was created due to a lack of suitable self-defense products for women and is sold for 249 shekels, with thousands already sold. The developers are now aiming to expand into the U.S. market and enhance the device's features.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Sarit Sterlitz and Liron Revivo developed the "Safely" personal safety device.
- The device emits a 130-decibel siren, a blinding flashlight, and sends location alerts.
- It was created because existing self-defense tools were deemed unsuitable for women.
- The device costs 249 shekels, and thousands have been sold.
- The developers are planning to expand into the U.S. market.
Sarit Sterlitz, a 20-year-old from Ashdod, developed a compact personal safety device called "Safely" after feeling unsafe walking alone at night. The device, which can be attached to a keychain, emits a 130-decibel siren and a blinding flashlight when activated by pulling a pin. It also sends distress messages and location data to pre-selected emergency contacts or the police via a connected smartphone.
Sterlitz and her partner, Liron Revivo, 21, created the device because they found existing self-defense options like pepper spray and tasers to be impractical or potentially harmful to the user. "I didn't see myself walking around with these things, and suddenly I realized there isn't any self-defense product that really suits women," Sterlitz stated. They funded the development through savings from waitressing jobs.
The "Safely" device also includes a silent mode, activated by five clicks of the flashlight button, which sends alerts without an audible alarm or light, intended for situations where drawing attention could be dangerous. The device is sold for 249 shekels and has already sold several thousand units, primarily through the SafeGirl website.
Sterlitz and Revivo, who presented their invention at the Israeli High-Tech Week, are now looking to expand into the American market and are in discussions with various parties. Revivo is also working on software updates to add features like photo and voice recording capabilities to the device. Sterlitz's ultimate goal is for all women to feel safe and secure in public spaces, free from fear and anxiety.
The development and manufacturing process was handled entirely by Sterlitz and Revivo, except for the actual production, which is outsourced to a factory abroad as no such facility exists in Israel. Revivo, who had paused his electrical engineering and computer science studies due to Operation "Lion's Roar," is overseeing the manufacturing and software development.