444, an early-stage startup company, which is the brainchild of Logan Nash and Matt Rogan, is planning to create a hi-tech pepper spray, as reported by TechCrunch.
(Photo : Alex Kent/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: A right-wing protestor readies pepper spray after attempting to use it on a counter-protestor who spat at her on November 14, 2022 in New York City.
A Different Kind of Pepper Spray
The self-defense company plans to combine pepper spray with electronics that can call the victim's friends when they deploy the spray.
Currently, 444 is at the earliest stages of development. The prototype that they showed at the CES 2023 was a 3d printed prototype and an early prototype PCB.
Their ultimate plan is to include a pepper spray aeroso and a Bluetooth transmitter that can connect to a phone. Once the pepper spray is used, the device will signal to the victim's phone, which will then send a message along with the current location to several pre-defined phone numbers.
The inspiration behind this is women who carry bulky pepper sprays. Therefore, they are developing a more compact pepper spray injected with technology to make it even more efficient.
They also designed a clip that will make it easier for women to carry them around. It can attach directly onto the user, so they don't need to fumble around in times of danger. Once the device is activated, it will only take a few seconds for their current location to be sent up to ten contacts that they chose via an app installed on their phone.
The target price for the pepper spray is approximately $35 per unit.
Also Read: 4 Self-Defense Items You Must Have With You
How the Concept Came To Be
It may be strange to have two men targeting women, but in their defense, the two men went through iCor at the University of Michigan, a three to four months course. They each interviewed 15 or so of their target demographic every week, and asked them questions like, what they like, what they don't like, why they use self-defense, and why they don't use self-defense.
Better Self-Defense Devices for Women
Pepper spray is a good way to get away from attackers, but not all people can use it to their advantage. It takes self-defense training to know how to use pepper spray. Also, it is useful to be aware of some of the potential risks that are linked to using it.
For instance, it is not the best choice to use in a group attack, as it is difficult to hit the attacker who is trying to attack you accurately.
The best self-defense weapon that is freely available to everyone is the simple shout. Nobody can hear you shout, though, in the absence of any back-up. This is why we have to learn the art of self-defense, and realize the importance of a good weapon like pepper spray.
Related Article: SALT Alternative Gun That Shoots Pepper Pellets Instead Of Bullets Pulled From Indiegogo
