Philips has finally launched its cellular-enabled, mobile personal emergency response system (mPERS) device GoSafe, which was first announced at CES 2013 with an expected launch of March 2013.
"The tools and technology Philips Lifeline has developed enable people to have greater independence while managing their own health care," Philips Lifeline General Manager Kimberly O'Loughlin said in a statement. "Our connected solutions offer customers mobile protection so that they may feel confident while staying active and being the places where they want and need to be — from walking the dog and exercising, to fishing, taking a trip to the mall or visiting family and friends."
The GoSafe pendant is waterproof, offers a button that patients can press if they need help, and two-way communication. Like most PERS offerings, when a GoSafe user presses the button on their pendant, a radio signal is sent to a hub device in their home that uses their landline phone to place a call to an emergency response center. However, GoSafe also has a cellular chip onboard that lets its users contact Philips' 24-7 emergency response center via AT&T's cellular network when they are out of range of their home's hub device.
If the user is unable to press the button, GoSafe also has fall detection built-ing so it can automatically place a call.
Pricing for the GoSafe system starts at $54.95 per month, but users must also make a one-time purchase of $149 for the device.
