Customizable jewelry range features a smart rape alarm

Cuff is a collection of stylish jewelry products that come with a discreet and detachable Bluetooth module that, when pressed, lets friends and family know if wearers are in trouble.

While wearable tech can often offer great practical uses, consumers won’t go for it if they think it looks silly — take the backlash against Google Glass, for example. Taking this into consideration, Cuff is a new collection of stylish jewelry products that come with a discreet and detachable Bluetooth module that, when pressed, lets friends and family know if wearers are in trouble.

The range features necklaces, bracelets and pendants that have all been designed to be fashionable, but to also hold a small Bluetooth-enabled accelerometer — called a CuffLinc — that acts as an emergency button. Wearers can sync the device to their smartphones, and use the companion iPhone app to set up the contacts they’d like to include in their Cuff network, such as their next of kin, parents or close friends. When users get into trouble, they can simply press the CuffLinc to instantly send a notification to their protective circle, who can see their location through GPS. Those alerted are given the contact details of everyone else in the network so that they can co-ordinate an effective response. The video below explains more about the product:

Much like First Sign — the hair clip that acts as a black box for street attacks — Cuff could be used as a rape alarm, but also for anyone who may find themselves in an emergency situation, such as the elderly. The designers have even created a key chain for men. While wearers may find Cuff jewelry to be a useful security measure, the attention placed on making the products customizable could help set the brand apart from other wearables on the market. The basic Cuff package is available to pre-order from the company’s site from USD 35. Are there other ways to make wearable tech more fashionable?