The Mission Navigation Belt makes GPS-based navigation safer and more intuitive by using haptic feedback to convey navigation cues.
Utrecht, The Netherlands, 6 July, 2020 — Elitac Wearables B.V. announced today that it has delivered the first order of Mission Navigation Belts to the Royal Netherlands Army. The Mission Navigation Belt (MNB) allows soldiers to feel waypoint navigation directions through small, quiet vibration motors, located in a lightweight belt worn around the waist. The order is part of a wider initiative by the Netherlands Ministry of Defense to improve situational awareness and survivability through the application of new technologies.
Elitac Wearables’ Wouter Vos (l) hands over first Mission Navigation Belt order to Major Van Veen, Defence Centre of Expertise for Soldier and Equipment, Royal Netherlands Army (r), under COVID-19 distance rules
Trade-off between traditional navigation and situational awareness
Traditional navigation compromises situational awareness because it requires soldiers to take their focus away from their surroundings to check screens or maps, or listen to audio instructions. The Mission Navigation Belt solves this problem by conveying navigation cues through haptic feedback and the underutilised sense of touch. This way, it frees up soldiers’ hands, eyes and ears to concentrate on their surroundings.
Staff Officer Major Van Veen (Royal Netherlands Army, Defence Centre of Expertise for Soldier and Equipment) wearing the Mission Naviation Belt
The MNB was developed by haptic feedback specialists Elitac Wearables in close collaboration with the Netherlands Ministry of Defense. Major Van Veen, of the Royal Netherlands Army Defence Centre of Expertise for Soldier and Equipment, explained: “Modern soldiers have access to incredible, hi-tech navigation systems, but these all require soldiers to keep checking their screens constantly. This makes an already dangerous job even more dangerous because it reduces situational awareness.”
Solving the trade-off
The Mission Navigation Belt was developed to address this problem: “It has proved its value convincingly during field tests: Soldiers reported that they were more aware of their surroundings and found the navigational cues very intuitive. And because it plugs into our own soldier system, there is no learning curve or need for an additional battery. We look forward to implementing this order of belts and investigating other possible applications of the MNB.”, Major Van Veen said. The MNB can be used to navigate on foot and in vehicles both on land and water: Soldiers can change seamlessly from one mode of transportation to another without stopping to navigate.
Successful collaboration
Merijn Klarenbeek, CEO and co-founder of Elitac Wearables said “After multiple years of joint testing and development with the Netherlands Ministry of Defense, we delivered the first order of the finished product today. The Mission Navigation Belt is fully compatible and interoperable with the VOSS system (the improved operational soldier system developed for the Netherlands Ministry of Defense). Its design really pushes the boundaries when it comes to integrating electronics and textiles, as the belt had to be robust, comfortable, and, most importantly, reliable. The field tests conducted by the Royal Netherlands Army demonstrate that we have indeed achieved that. It is rewarding to think that our wearables will help keep soldiers safer”.
For more information about the Mission Navigation Belt, please visit:
https://www.teijinsmartsafety.com/mission-navigation-belt
For additional information or images, please contact:
Martijn van der Leeden
New Business Development Manager, Teijin Smart Safety
Phone: +31 (0)6 30 32 39 42
E-mail: martijn.vanderleeden@teijinaramid.com
About Elitac Wearables:
As experts on haptic feedback and the integration of textiles and electronics, Elitac Wearables collaborates with partners to develop wearables from idea to successful products. The company focuses on wearables that add real value and has developed several solutions for the defense, safety, medical and sports markets. By continuously investing in research, Elitac Wearables ensures that it stays on the forefront of new technological developments.
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About Teijin Smart Safety:
Teijin Smart Safety is an expert team within the Teijin Group [Teijin Ltd. (Tokyo Stock Index Code 3401)] that is focusing on safety, security and disaster mitigation solutions towards end-users. The team leads the development and commercialization of active & intelligent safety solutions in order to improve the personal safety & protection of professionals working under high stress or in hazardous environments. Working together towards a safer society.
https://www.teijin.com
