AI powered distress response system for women

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Afuwape Omolara
Project Owner

AI powered distress response system for women

Expert Rating

n/a
  • Proposal for BGI Nexus 1
  • Funding Request $45,000 USD
  • Funding Pools Beneficial AI Solutions
  • Total 6 Milestones

Overview

Violence against women is a global crisis, with one in three women experiencing physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, according to WHO. In 2023 alone, over 245 million women faced gender-based violence (GBV). In Nigeria, GBV remains critical, with 30% of women aged 15-49 affected. In 2024, over 133 women and girls were victims of femicide, per *Punch News*. To combat this, we propose an AI-powered safety app to enhance women's security in Nigeria. This initiative aligns with Beneficial General Intelligence's (BGI) mission to develop ethical AI solutions that promote safety and human well-being.

Proposal Description

How Our Project Will Contribute To The Growth Of The Decentralized AI Platform

This project embodies BGI's commitment to developing AI technologies that are ethical, safe, and beneficial:

Ethical AI: Prioritizing user privacy and data security, ensuring that personal information is protected

Safety: Directly addressing the safety needs of women, empowering them with tools to prevent and respond to violence

Beneficial Impact: Aiming to reduce GBV incidents, enhance reporting mechanisms, and foster a safer environment for women.

Our Team

  1. Omolara Afuwape - Founder and project lead 
  2. Olanrewaju Odukoya - Business Development & Partnerships Lead
  3. Remostart Start-Up - AI developer 
  4. Esan Bolatito - Marketing & Community Engagement

AI services (New or Existing)

AI-Powered SOS Detection

Type

New AI service

Purpose

This service utilizes AI-powered biometric detection, motion analysis, voice recognition, and gesture-based activation to identify distress signals and automatically initiate an emergency response. By integrating multiple activation methods, the AI-Powered SOS Detection Service enhances accessibility and reliability, ensuring women always have a lifeline to safety in critical situations.

AI inputs

It enables tap activation through discreet gestures on wearable devices or hidden buttons and allow users to trigger alerts using predefined phrases or distress words. Biometric triggers detect abnormal heart rate spikes, sudden movements, or panic-induced physical responses to auto-activate SOS.

AI outputs

Instant emergency alert is triggered via tap activation on wearables, voice commands with distress phrases, or biometric triggers like heart rate spikes or sudden movements. The system ensures rapid response by notifying emergency contacts and tracking the user's real-time location.

Real-Time GPS Tracking AI

Type

New AI service

Purpose

The AI continuously tracks and updates the user’s real-time location during emergencies, ensuring responders can locate them quickly, even if they are moved. It provides accurate GPS data, adapts to movement patterns, and sends live updates to emergency contacts and authorities.

AI inputs

The system takes GPS coordinates, movement patterns, biometric data, and environmental context to track the user’s real-time location. It also integrates Wi-Fi, cellular, and Bluetooth signals for accurate positioning, even in areas with weak GPS signals.

AI outputs

The system provides real-time location updates, tracks movement patterns, and sends live GPS coordinates to emergency contacts and responders. If the user is moved, the AI continuously updates their position, ensuring rapid rescue and accurate incident reporting.

Voice Recognition & Recording AI

Type

New AI service

Purpose

The AI detects distress in voice patterns, activates emergency alerts via predefined phrases, and records 60-second audio clips for evidence. It analyzes tone, urgency, and background noise to confirm threats and ensures authorities receive critical incident details in real time.

AI inputs

The system processes live voice input, predefined distress phrases, background noise, and tone variations to detect emergencies. It analyzes speech patterns, intensity, and urgency while capturing 60-second audio recordings for verification and evidence collection.

AI outputs

The AI triggers an SOS alert, sends 60-second recorded audio to emergency contacts, and provides real-time speech-to-text analysis for verification. It ensures authorities receive critical voice evidence, helping them assess the situation and respond swiftly.

The core problem we are aiming to solve

The prevalence of GBV (Gender-based violence) in Nigeria is alarming:

High Incidence of Violence: 30% of Nigerian women aged 15-49 have faced physical or sexual violence

Femicide Rates: In 2024, 133 women and girls were killed due to gender-related violence

Kidnappings: Since January 2024, at least 580 civilians, primarily women and girls, have been kidnapped across several states.

These statistics underscore the urgent need for innovative solutions to protect women and reduce GBV incidents.

Our specific solution to this problem

Current safety measures, like emergency hotlines and mobile apps, have limitations—especially when a woman’s phone is taken, her bag is stolen, or she is forcibly separated from her belongings. To bridge these gaps, we introduce SafeHer, an AI-powered wearable safety solution that integrates:

  • Smart Safety Chip – A discreet AI-driven tracker embedded in jewelry, clothing, or a skin-friendly patch, reporting live location to authorities.
  • Real-Time Emergency Alerts – Instantly notifies four tiers of contacts: personal, local authorities, national security networks, and global safety organizations.
  • 60-Second Audio Recording – Captures crucial evidence upon activation.
  • AI-Powered Risk Prediction – Uses machine learning to identify high-risk locations via crime reports, social media alerts, and crowd-sourced data.

By combining AI, IoT, and GPS, SafeHer is a global safety system ensuring women can be protected even when separated from their devices. This aligns with Beneficial General Intelligence's (BGI) mission to create ethical, secure AI solutions for humanity.

Project details

SafeHer is an AI-powered safety solution designed to provide real-time emergency response, tracking, and distress detection for women worldwide. With the increasing rates of harassment, assault, and abduction, traditional emergency applications often fail due to manual activation requirements that are difficult to access in high-risk situations. SafeHer eliminates these barriers by using AI-driven automation, biometric triggers, voice recognition, and real-time location tracking to ensure rapid assistance and immediate rescue in emergency situations.

Unlike conventional safety apps that rely solely on smartphone access, SafeHer incorporates wearable technology, embedded chips in everyday objects, and biometric monitoring to activate emergency responses, even when a victim’s phone or bag is taken away. The multi-layered AI security system ensures that women can access help in any scenario, significantly improving personal safety and emergency response effectiveness.

Was there any event, initiative or publication that motivated you to register/submit this proposal?

A personal referral

Describe the particulars.

One of my course mate at the University was a victim of rape by her uncle, she could not graduate with us because of the shame and stigma. We did not hear from her till date. 

Proposal Video

Placeholder for Spotlight Day Pitch-presentations. Video's will be added by the DF team when available.

  • Total Milestones

    6

  • Total Budget

    $45,000 USD

  • Last Updated

    24 Feb 2025

Milestone 1 - Research & Development

Description

The Research & Development (R&D) phase is the foundation of the SafeHer safety ecosystem, ensuring that the technology is both innovative and effective. This phase involves in-depth research on emergency response systems, AI-driven safety solutions, biometric distress detection, and real-time tracking technologies. Key activities include: - User Needs Analysis: Conducting global surveys and interviews to understand women’s safety concerns and real-world emergency scenarios. - AI Model Development: Building machine learning algorithms for biometric distress detection, voice recognition, and motion-based emergency activation. - Hardware & Wearable Design: Prototyping smart rings, bracelets, embedded chips, and IoT-connected devices for discreet SOS activation. - Testing & Simulation: Running controlled simulations to refine AI accuracy, response speed, and real-time tracking. - Data Security & Encryption: Implementing end-to-end encryption to ensure privacy and protection of users' emergency data. This milestone ensures SafeHer is robust, reliable, and scalable for global deployment.

Deliverables

The Research & Development (R&D) phase will establish the foundation for SafeHer’s AI-driven safety solutions. Key deliverables include: - User Behavior & Safety Analysis: Data-driven insights from global surveys, interviews, and case studies on women’s safety concerns and real-world emergency situations. - AI Algorithm Prototypes: Development of biometric distress detection, voice recognition, motion-based SOS activation, and real-time tracking AI models. - Hardware & Wearable Prototyping: Design and testing of smart rings, bracelets, and embedded safety chips for discreet emergency activation. - System Architecture & Integration Plan: Blueprint for integrating AI models, GPS tracking, IoT devices, and mobile applications into a unified system. - Security & Encryption Protocols: Implementation of privacy-focused data encryption to protect user identity and distress signals. - Pilot Testing & Simulation: Conducting real-world simulations to refine AI accuracy, activation reliability, and emergency response time. This phase ensures SafeHer is technologically advanced, secure, and globally scalable.

Budget

$4,000 USD

Success Criterion

The Research & Development (R&D) phase will be deemed successful when the following criteria are met: - AI Accuracy & Reliability: The distress detection AI achieves at least 95% accuracy in recognizing biometric, motion, and voice-based emergency triggers. - Seamless Hardware Integration: Wearable safety devices (smart rings, bracelets, and embedded chips) successfully activate SOS signals with minimal false positives. - Efficient GPS & Tracking: Live location updates function with less than a 5-second delay, ensuring real-time emergency response. - Data Security & Encryption: User data and distress signals are fully encrypted, meeting global cybersecurity standards for privacy protection. - Real-World Testing Validation: Pilot testing in high-risk environments confirms that SOS activation, emergency response, and system integration work flawlessly. - User Acceptance & Feedback: Over 85% of test users report confidence in the system’s usability, reliability, and effectiveness. Meeting these criteria ensures SafeHer’s AI technology is ready for large-scale implementation.

Milestone 2 - Hardware Prototyping

Description

The Hardware Prototyping phase focuses on designing, developing, and testing wearable safety devices that integrate seamlessly with SafeHer’s AI-powered safety ecosystem. This includes smart rings, bracelets, and embedded safety chips equipped with biometric distress detection, motion sensors, and real-time GPS tracking. Key activities involve: Design & Material Selection: Choosing lightweight, durable, and discreet materials for comfortable daily wear. Integration of Sensors & AI Components: Embedding biometric sensors, tap activation triggers, and GPS modules for real-time distress detection. Testing & Iteration: Evaluating the efficiency, responsiveness, and durability of the prototypes in real-world scenarios. Battery & Connectivity Optimization: Ensuring long-lasting battery life and seamless Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and mobile network integration. User Experience Refinement: Gathering feedback from test users to enhance wearability, usability, and functionality. This milestone ensures SafeHer’s hardware is discreet, reliable, and ready for mass production.

Deliverables

The Hardware Prototyping phase will produce tangible, testable safety devices that integrate with SafeHer’s AI-driven SOS system. Deliverables include: Fully Functional Smart Wearables: Working prototypes of smart rings, bracelets, and embedded safety chips with SOS activation and tracking capabilities. Integrated AI & Sensor Technology: Devices equipped with biometric sensors, motion detectors, and real-time GPS modules. Emergency Activation Mechanisms: Prototypes supporting tap gestures, voice commands, and biometric distress triggers for instant SOS activation. Connectivity Features: Seamless integration with mobile apps, cloud systems, and IoT devices via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and GSM networks. Battery Efficiency Testing: Optimized low-power consumption with a minimum of 48 hours standby time. Field Testing Reports: Data from real-world trials ensuring durability, accuracy, and effectiveness in high-risk scenarios. These deliverables ensure the SafeHer hardware is ready for large-scale production and deployment.

Budget

$8,000 USD

Success Criterion

The Hardware Prototyping phase will be considered successful when the following key criteria are met: Seamless AI Integration: Wearable devices accurately communicate with SafeHer’s AI-powered SOS system with at least 95% activation accuracy. Reliable Emergency Activation: Smart rings, bracelets, and embedded chips consistently trigger SOS alerts within 2 seconds via tap, voice, or biometric triggers. Accurate GPS Tracking: Devices maintain real-time location updates with a tracking delay of less than 5 seconds. Long Battery Life: Each device operates for a minimum of 48 hours on standby and ensures at least 10 emergency activations per charge. Durability & Comfort: Prototypes pass stress tests for durability and receive 85% positive user feedback on comfort and wearability. Secure & Encrypted Communication: Data transmission meets global security standards, preventing unauthorized access to distress signals. Successful Field Testing: Devices perform effectively in urban, rural, and high-risk environments, proving their reliability. Meeting these criteria ensures SafeHer’s hardware is market-ready for mass production and deployment.

Milestone 3 - AI & Software Development

Description

The AI & Software Development phase focuses on building and integrating SafeHer’s intelligent safety ecosystem, ensuring seamless emergency detection and response. This includes AI-driven distress recognition, real-time tracking, voice analysis, and secure data transmission. Key activities involve: AI Model Training: Developing and refining machine learning algorithms for biometric distress detection, voice recognition, and motion-based SOS activation. Mobile & Web Application Development: Designing an intuitive, secure, and accessible app with real-time tracking, emergency contact management, and automated alerts. Cloud & Data Security Implementation: Ensuring encrypted data transmission for privacy protection and secure cloud storage. System Integration: Connecting AI models with hardware devices, GPS tracking, IoT networks, and emergency response systems. Testing & Optimization: Running simulations and real-world tests to enhance speed, accuracy, and efficiency. This phase ensures SafeHer’s AI-powered technology is reliable, secure, and ready for deployment.

Deliverables

The AI & Software Development phase will produce a fully functional AI-powered safety system, ensuring rapid emergency response. Key deliverables include: Distress Detection AI: A trained AI model capable of detecting biometric distress signals, voice triggers, and motion-based emergencies. SafeHer Mobile & Web App: A user-friendly application with SOS activation, real-time GPS tracking, and emergency alerts. Voice Recognition & Recording: AI-driven 60-second voice recording for evidence collection and situational assessment. Automated Emergency Response System: AI-powered alerts that immediately notify pre-selected emergency contacts. Cloud-Based Data Encryption: Secure cloud storage and end-to-end encryption to protect user privacy and emergency data. AI & Hardware Integration: Seamless communication between wearable devices, mobile applications, and emergency networks. Testing & Optimization Reports: Comprehensive reports from simulations and real-world testing, ensuring high accuracy and reliability. These deliverables ensure SafeHer’s AI-powered system is robust, secure, and effective in real-world scenarios.

Budget

$20,000 USD

Success Criterion

The AI & Software Development phase will be successful when the following key criteria are met: High Accuracy in Distress Detection: AI models achieve at least 95% accuracy in recognizing distress signals through voice, motion, and biometrics. Seamless AI & Hardware Communication: Smart wearables and mobile apps sync in real-time, triggering SOS alerts within 2 seconds. Reliable GPS & Tracking System: Real-time location tracking updates with less than a 5-second delay, ensuring accurate emergency response. User-Friendly & Secure Mobile App: The SafeHer app scores 85%+ positive feedback for ease of use, accessibility, and security. Robust Emergency Response Automation: AI successfully alerts four levels of emergency contacts, including trusted individuals, authorities, and first responders. Successful Field Testing: The system proves effective in urban, rural, and high-risk environments, ensuring reliability and adaptability. Data Security & Privacy Compliance: Encryption and cloud storage meet global cybersecurity standards, preventing data breaches or unauthorized access. Meeting these criteria ensures SafeHer’s AI-powered safety system is market-ready for large-scale deployment.

Milestone 4 - Testing & Pilot Deployment

Description

The Testing & Pilot Deployment phase focuses on evaluating SafeHer’s AI-driven safety system in real-world environments, ensuring its reliability, accuracy, and effectiveness before mass deployment. This stage involves controlled testing, user trials, and live pilot programs to validate system performance under various conditions. Key activities include: Controlled Testing: Simulating distress situations to assess AI accuracy in detecting emergencies via biometric, voice, and motion triggers. User Trials & Feedback Collection: Deploying SafeHer to a test group of women across diverse environments and risk levels. Live Pilot Programs: Implementing SafeHer in high-risk zones, such as urban centers, public transit, and isolated areas. Performance Optimization: Identifying and resolving bugs, false positives, or delays in SOS activation, location tracking, and emergency alerts. Security & Compliance Checks: Ensuring the system meets global safety, privacy, and data security standards. This phase guarantees SafeHer is fully functional, secure, and ready for large-scale adoption.

Deliverables

The Testing & Pilot Deployment phase will produce comprehensive data and insights that ensure SafeHer’s AI-powered safety system is ready for launch. Key deliverables include: Field-Tested AI Models: Optimized AI with at least 95% accuracy in detecting distress signals, ensuring minimal false positives. Functional Wearable Prototypes: Smart rings, bracelets, and embedded chips validated for durability, wearability, and real-time connectivity. User Testing Reports: Data from pilot users assessing SOS responsiveness, GPS tracking accuracy, and ease of activation. Emergency Response Validation: Confirmation that alerts reach emergency contacts within 5 seconds and track user location in real-time. Security & Privacy Assessment: Compliance reports ensuring encrypted data transmission and protection from cyber threats. System Optimization Report: Final improvements addressing user feedback, system limitations, and usability enhancements before full deployment. These deliverables ensure SafeHer is rigorously tested, optimized, and deployment-ready.

Budget

$3,000 USD

Success Criterion

The Testing & Pilot Deployment phase will be considered successful when the following criteria are met: High AI Accuracy: AI distress detection achieves 95%+ accuracy, minimizing false positives and negatives. Fast & Reliable SOS Activation: SOS alerts trigger within 2 seconds of activation and reach emergency contacts within 5 seconds. Real-Time GPS Tracking: Location updates function with less than a 5-second delay, ensuring accurate tracking in emergencies. Positive User Feedback: 85%+ of test users report confidence in SafeHer’s usability, reliability, and security. Hardware Performance Validation: Wearable devices remain fully functional and durable across various environmental conditions. Seamless Emergency Response Integration: Alerts successfully reach and engage trusted contacts, authorities, and first responders as planned. Security & Compliance Approval: System passes cybersecurity, privacy, and regulatory compliance checks for global deployment. Meeting these criteria ensures SafeHer is fully optimized, secure, and ready for large-scale launch.

Milestone 5 - Branding, Awareness & Outreach

Description

The Branding, Awareness & Outreach phase focuses on establishing SafeHer as a globally recognized safety solution for women. This phase ensures strong brand identity, market positioning, and community engagement to drive adoption. Through strategic campaigns, partnerships, and public engagement, SafeHer will gain visibility and trust among its target audience. Key activities include: Brand Identity Development: Designing a compelling logo, website, and marketing materials that reflect SafeHer’s mission. Social Media & Influencer Campaigns: Leveraging digital platforms and influencers to drive awareness. Partnerships & Collaborations: Engaging with governments, NGOs, corporate sponsors, and security agencies to expand SafeHer’s reach. Community Engagement & Advocacy: Hosting workshops, safety training, and events to educate and empower women. Press & Media Outreach: Securing news coverage, podcasts, and interviews to highlight SafeHer’s impact. This phase ensures SafeHer is widely recognized, trusted, and adopted worldwide.

Deliverables

The Branding, Awareness & Outreach phase will generate strong brand positioning, strategic partnerships, and widespread community engagement. Key deliverables include: Branding & Visual Identity Package: A professionally designed logo, website, brochures, and promotional videos. Social Media & Digital Presence: Active engagement across Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and TikTok, with targeted ad campaigns. Influencer & Advocacy Partnerships: Collaborations with women’s rights activists, influencers, and safety advocates to promote SafeHer. Public Relations & Press Coverage: Securing articles, interviews, and features in major news outlets. Strategic Partnerships: MOUs with government agencies, NGOs, and corporations supporting women’s safety. Workshops & Safety Training Programs: Organizing at least five educational sessions in high-risk communities. Community Engagement Reports: Data on public awareness, adoption rates, and feedback from outreach programs. These deliverables ensure SafeHer becomes a trusted, globally recognized safety solution.

Budget

$5,000 USD

Success Criterion

The Branding, Awareness & Outreach phase will be successful when the following key criteria are met: Strong Brand Recognition: SafeHer’s logo, messaging, and purpose become widely recognized within the women’s safety and tech communities. Significant Digital Engagement: Social media accounts achieve 50,000+ followers and 1M+ impressions within six months. Successful Media Coverage: SafeHer is featured in top global and regional media outlets, raising awareness. Influencer & Advocacy Impact: Collaborations with at least 20 influencers and women’s rights advocates actively promoting SafeHer. Strategic Partnership Growth: Secure five major partnerships with government agencies, NGOs, and corporate sponsors. Community Adoption & Engagement: Conduct five or more safety training workshops in high-risk communities. Conversion & Adoption Metrics: Achieve 10,000 app downloads and 5,000 active wearable users in the pilot phase. Meeting these criteria ensures SafeHer is widely trusted, adopted, and ready for large-scale global expansion.

Milestone 6 - Project Management & Miscellaneous

Description

The Project Management & Miscellaneous phase ensures the smooth execution of SafeHer through strategic oversight, resource allocation, risk management, and administrative support. This phase includes budget tracking, team coordination, compliance checks, and unforeseen project needs, ensuring efficiency in every aspect of development. Key activities include: Strategic Oversight: Monitoring milestones, progress, and timelines to keep the project on track. Budget & Resource Management: Efficient allocation of the $25,000 budget to ensure cost-effective execution. Risk Assessment & Mitigation: Identifying and addressing technical, financial, and operational risks. Legal & Compliance Coordination: Ensuring SafeHer meets all legal, ethical, and security standards. Administrative & Logistics Support: Handling documentation, reporting, and procurement for seamless operations. Adaptability & Contingency Planning: Allocating funds for unforeseen challenges or last-minute adjustments. This phase guarantees SafeHer is delivered on time, within budget, and at the highest quality.

Deliverables

The Project Management & Miscellaneous phase provides critical operational frameworks and support structures to ensure SafeHer’s success. Key deliverables include: Comprehensive Project Plan: A roadmap outlining timelines, goals, and key responsibilities for each milestone. Budget Allocation & Financial Reports: Regular tracking of expenditures, funding distribution, and cost optimization. Risk Management & Mitigation Plan: Strategies to identify, assess, and resolve project risks effectively. Legal & Compliance Documentation: Ensuring adherence to data privacy laws, cybersecurity standards, and safety regulations. Team Coordination Reports: Regular updates on progress, challenges, and key decisions from team meetings. Operational Contingency Fund: A reserved budget for unexpected expenses or necessary project modifications. Final Project Report & Documentation: A complete summary of milestones, achievements, and lessons learned. These deliverables ensure SafeHer’s development remains structured, accountable, and adaptable.

Budget

$5,000 USD

Success Criterion

The Project Management & Miscellaneous phase will be considered successful when the following criteria are met: On-Time & On-Budget Execution: All milestones are completed within the allocated $25,000 budget and set timelines. Effective Risk Management: Unforeseen challenges are identified early and mitigated without major disruptions. Regulatory & Legal Compliance: SafeHer adheres to all relevant cybersecurity, data privacy, and ethical standards. Seamless Team Coordination: Regular team meetings and reports ensure clear communication and efficient workflow. Accurate Financial Tracking: Transparent budget management with documented spending and cost-efficiency. Well-Documented Final Reports: A complete project summary with achievements, challenges, and strategic insights. Readiness for Scale-Up: SafeHer’s foundation is strong, well-managed, and positioned for global expansion. Meeting these criteria guarantees SafeHer’s smooth execution and long-term sustainability.

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