Sewa introduces a smart glove that can prevent electric shock

Sewa official explains how the smart glove works (left) and a kid and a Sewa staff member tinker with a plasma ball on display at the authority's stand at the innovation event in Sharjah (right).-Photos by M. Sajjad

The Sharjah Electricity and Water Authority (Sewa) has introduced a smart glove that can protect its users from electric shocks. The authority has obtained a global patent for it.
The Sewa Smart Glove is being showcased at the Sharjah chapter of the UAE Innovation Month, which will continue till February 14.
A number of local and government entities, as well as private sector firms and universities in Sharjah, are participating in the event.
The Smart Glove was invented by Sewa to provide security and safety to those whose work involves handling electricity connections, electric equipment and cables, protecting them from electrocution.
Dr Rashid Al Leem, chairman of Sewa, said the authority is making great efforts to promote the culture of innovation and upgrade the work system with new ideas. He explained that the adoption of fresh initiatives in Sewa aims at achieving excellence in innovation.
The authority has long been encouraging its staff to implement their ideas and come up with innovative proposals, he said.  "In the last two years, the authority has launched more than 50 innovative initiatives to develop the skills of employees and hone their creative potential."
Hamda Ahmed Boklah, director of the Innovation Bureau at Sewa, said the Smart Glove has been professionally manufactured by its own innovation team.
"The team created two models; the first one deals with low-voltage electricity (LV). It can be used to know the electricity current by direct contact to the energy source. The glove recognises if live electricity is present even if the power source is placed in the dark. It produces light and sound to alert the technician of the presence of electricity and take necessary precautions. The electric current is also measured by a smart screen in the glove," Boklah said.
"The second kind of glove can handle medium-pressure electricity (MV). It can measure the electricity through the remote sensing of the source of electrical energy. It can also display the measurement on the screen attached to it," he said.
Amanay Al Naqbi, head of the organising committee of UAE Innovation Month, said the brainstorming sessions on Sharjah's innovation process are focused on the themes of renewable energy, sustainability, healthcare and technology, with the participation of 34 educational institutions, 15 private sector firms and 17 federal and local departments. She added  that the event features sessions of discussions and debates, apart from 48 workshops.
For three consecutive days, the spotlight has been placed on a range of innovative activities, including 12 initiatives by the health sector, 11 by education sector, and 14 by the sustainability sector. Fresh, creative and novel ideas are being promoted to encourage more people across the emirate to get involved in the UAE's innovation drive.
afkarali@khaleejtimes.com