Question 1: What was the main motivation and inspiration behind developing this new emergency call watch?

The main motivation for developing this new emergency call watch came from my many years of experience in the field of emergency call solutions — both as the head of Switzerland’s largest emergency call centre and as Managing Director and Product Developer at SmartLife Care. I have tested almost every emergency call device and smartwatch with an emergency call function available worldwide and have advised numerous developers along the way.

Through my work, I realised that traditional emergency call devices with a large speaker and emergency call button are ideal for very elderly seniors with limited motor and cognitive abilities. However, we also received numerous enquiries from fit and active seniors who wanted additional security but did not want to use a conventional emergency call device.

Having experienced the challenges of existing emergency call smartwatches first-hand, I decided to develop our own — with the goal of ensuring that everyone at SmartLife Care can find an emergency call device that meets their individual needs. As Switzerland’s largest provider, we owe this to our customers and partners.

Question 2: What specific needs of seniors did you take into account when developing the watch?

When developing the new emergency call watch, we paid particular attention to the specific needs of seniors in different situations and stages of life:

Ease of use: For seniors, it is important that the watch can be operated easily and without technical barriers. We have therefore developed a user-friendly and clearly structured interface that is intuitive and easy to access.

Discretion and aesthetics: Many fit and active seniors do not want a traditional emergency call device that looks like a medical aid. We therefore designed the watch to be modern and discreet, similar to a stylish smartwatch that integrates seamlessly into everyday life.

Safety and reliability: In an emergency, the watch must work reliably. We therefore focused on precise GPS positioning, a stable emergency call function and reliable communication channels to ensure that help can be provided quickly.

Comfort: Since the watch is designed to be worn every day, we placed great emphasis on making it lightweight and comfortable, so that it does not interfere with everyday activities.

Meaningful features: Instead of focusing on technical gimmicks, we concentrate on functions that provide genuine value. The emergency call function with GPS positioning, step counter and heart-rate monitor offer practical health-related benefits.

Independence from a smartphone: Many smartwatches with emergency call functions have remained unused because they require a smartphone app for configuration and/or handling emergency calls. From our conversations with seniors and their families, we know that many do not own a smartphone or feel overwhelmed by the technology. In addition, many providers have struggled to keep the necessary apps up to date.

To eliminate these barriers, we designed our emergency call watch to operate independently of a smartphone. It is integrated directly into our emergency call platform, which makes it significantly easier to use. Seniors do not have to worry about technical details, and the watch remains reliable and ready for use — without the need for external apps or regular updates.

Question 3: The watch looks similar to other smartwatches. What makes the Ora emergency call smartwatch special?

At first glance, the Ora may look like a typical smartwatch. What truly sets it apart, however, are the invisible but crucial differences. Like all SmartLife Care emergency call solutions, Ora is built on our extremely secure emergency call platform. Originally founded by Swisscom, this technological heritage continues to shape our products today. Our platform is among the world’s safest and most reliable emergency call systems — something that is crucial when it comes to providing fast and dependable assistance in an emergency.

Unlike other smartwatches that often require a smartphone to operate, Ora is completely independent and fully integrated into our highly secure platform. This means the watch is ready to use immediately, without complicated apps or configurations.

It combines modern, attractive aesthetics with the key features of an emergency call device: GPS positioning, heart-rate monitoring, a step counter and a robust emergency call function. This combination of safety, ease of use and modern design makes Ora a unique solution. Its security is not immediately visible, but behind the scenes it operates at the highest level.

Question 4: How do you see the future of emergency call solutions, and what role does SmartLife Care play in it?

Technological innovations are undoubtedly fascinating and seem almost limitless, as we see every year at CES in Las Vegas. The greatest challenge, however, lies in putting these innovations into practice. In our industry, the user — in this case, the senior — is often either unable or unwilling to operate complex technologies. Of course, homes could be equipped with a large number of sensors, but we have found in Switzerland that our customers do not appreciate being monitored. Several pilot projects have shown that this type of monitoring is simply rejected.

The idea of collecting data and analysing it using artificial intelligence to detect, for example, a fall also sounds promising. However, the technology is currently not mature enough. Variables such as pets or periods of absence due to holidays can make data analysis inaccurate, while false alarms remain a major problem.

False alarms not only cause stress for the people around the individual concerned, but can also place an additional burden on emergency services such as ambulances and Spitex.

A good example is the 911 emergency call centres in the United States, where some emergency calls from Apple Watches that receive no response are reportedly no longer being handled in the same way. False alarms have become so frequent that they can undermine the reliability and effectiveness of these systems.

That is why, at SmartLife Care, we have developed a smartwatch that — like our other emergency call devices — operates in combination with a subscription. This ensures that the watch is seamlessly integrated into our highly secure emergency call platform and remains connected to our emergency call centre around the clock. As a result, emergency calls are always handled and supported by real people rather than relying solely on potentially error-prone, technology-based solutions. This allows us to offer the benefits of smartwatch technology without exposing users to the risks of excessive false alarms or overly complex systems. Our subscription models also guarantee continuous support and maintenance of the devices, ensuring that they remain reliable and ready for use at all times.

Final Question: What personally motivates you to continue advancing the development of emergency call solutions, and which values are most important to you?

For me, people always come first. What motivates me is knowing that our emergency call solutions can help save lives and give older people greater security and independence. Many seniors want to live independently for as long as possible, and I see it as our responsibility to help them achieve this. It is not just about technology. It is about trust, reliability and simplicity.

Another important aspect of our work is contributing to the reduction of healthcare costs. The key is ensuring that help is provided quickly after a fall, because a rapid response can prevent serious complications and lengthy hospital stays.

Another positive effect is that seniors who wear an emergency call device often feel safer and, as a result, are more active. This can have numerous health benefits, including improved mobility and cardiovascular health. Knowing that our work makes a real difference in the lives of our customers while also helping to reduce the burden on the healthcare system motivates me every day. Safety, humanity and sustainability are the values that come first for me.