A smart van for when the grid goes down
The vehicle combines satellite connectivity, off-grid power and mobile charging, to help responders coordinate resources during disasters, public events and emergencies
Humanitarian organisation SmartAID has partnered with St John Ambulance NSW to launch a mobile communications and power vehicle designed to keep emergency responders connected when infrastructure fails.
The SmartVan was launched in Sydney last week by SmartAID, an Israeli-Australian technology-focused humanitarian group founded in Israel in 2016 by Shachar Zahavi, who also co-founded the Israeli disaster relief organisation IsraAID.
The vehicle combines satellite connectivity, off-grid power and mobile charging in a rapidly deployable platform, intended to help responders coordinate resources during disasters, major public events and community emergencies.
It carries Starlink satellite communications, solar power and charging infrastructure, alongside St John NSW medical equipment including an automated external defibrillator, oxygen, medical kits and a carry chair, and is equipped to support a command team.
The SmartVan had already been used at Sydney events including the Sydney Marathon and City2Surf before last Wednesday’s formal launch at St John NSW headquarters in Macquarie Park.
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