The Intelligent PPE Solution for Remote Offshore Locations
Christopher Lane
IntelliGear is an AI-powered PPE dispensing system, housed in a shipping container, that uses smart technology and real-time analytics to issue tailored safety equipment and guidance to offshore workers, streamlining compliance and reducing injury risks.
Design Problem
Offshore workers operate in high-risk environments where PPE is critical, yet an unacceptable level of injuries persist. Interviews, incident report analysis, and field observations revealed system-wide failures: missing or incorrect PPE was often cited as a leading cause of injury, workers were increasingly disengaged from paperwork-heavy QHSE processes, and storage space on offshore vessels is limited.
IntelliGear is an AI-powered PPE dispensing service designed for remote offshore environments. Housed in an ISO shipping container, it integrates touchscreen task selection, RFID-scanned smart PPE, and real-time compliance analytics. Workers select their task, receive tailored safety guidance, and are automatically issued with additional PPE. The system connects to client QHSE ecosystems, reducing paperwork and improving oversight. This invention benefits both workers and management by embedding the latest guidelines into daily workflows, improving accountability and ultimately access to appropriate PPE.
Description of the Project
Initial research involved incident report analysis, field observations, and informal interviews with offshore personnel and QHSE staff. These revealed significant behavioural and logistical challenges in current PPE systems. The design process was guided by stakeholder insights, mapped using the Innovation Frame, and shaped by two decades of personal industry experience. The concept evolved through contextual research, understanding the requirements and wants of varied stakeholder groups. Finally, a balance of technical feasibility, user-centred design, and a need for operational efficiency produced the final IntelliGear concept.
Process
About me
I am an Offshore Robotics Manager leading a team of 30 engineers. I used this module to develop sustainable innovation skills to guide my future projects.