Kocaeli Municipality launches IoT‑Based Safety System for Lone Workers

Kocaeli Büyükşehir Belediyesi has deployed the “e‑yaren” project, an IoT‑enabled safety system for personnel who work alone in the field. The initiative equips workers with smart health bracelets that continuously track heart rate, blood‑oxygen level, movement and location. When a fall, prolonged inactivity or sudden health change is detected, the system automatically generates alerts for the municipal IT and Zabıta (municipal police) centers, allowing rapid response. An SOS button on each bracelet lets users request immediate assistance with a single press, transmitting their exact coordinates to responders.

All biometric and location data are encrypted in compliance with Turkey’s KVKK privacy regulations. The telemetry feeds into Kocaeli’s integrated city‑management platform and its emerging Digital Twin, supporting future AI‑driven decision‑making. Officials say the system enhances worker safety, reduces the need for additional staff on site and generates long‑term operational cost savings while advancing the city’s broader smart‑city transformation.