Answering Your L2 Questions

What is the L2 Bracelet?

(Solution)​

The L2 Bracelet is a linked, two-set bracelet. It connects a special needs child to his/her caregiver. Through radio-waves the child with special needs is able to frolic around and have personal space, while, at the same time, he/she is safe and accounted for. If the child wanders about 15 feet away from the caregiver, the caregiver's bracelet will beep and light up. This will save the caregiver from a search effort!

How Did the L2 Bracelet Get Its Name?

L2 is a shortened version of linked together. The goal of the L2 Bracelet is to link two people together- the caregiver and child with special needs. We chose the slogan link.love.life. to express our goal in a short, clear, and sharp way. Link to a loved one and save their life!

Who Can this Help? Is it Only for Children with Autism? 

(The Need-Who)

The L2 Bracelet was engineered with the special-needs community in mind. Knowing the danger, pain, and fear we couldn't keep silent. The bracelet is not limited to children with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder). The statics and information comes mostly from ASD because it is very well-known. Any active and ambulatory child with special needs can and, G-d willing, will benefit from the L2 Bracelet. Additionally, elderly individuals who are stricken with Alzheimers or other types of dementia can benefit from the L2 Bracelet. They are another sect of our population who are plagued with wandering.  

When Can the L2 Bracelet be Used? 

(The Need- When) 

The L2 Bracelet can be used at home, in school, during respite care, and in camp. It is very portable and easily transferred. The bracelet can always remain on the child's arm (except while showering or doing other water activities), and can be handed from caregiver to caregiver. This allows the child to stay safe and accounted for in every circumstance.

How Did the Idea Come to Life?

(Process/Procedure) 

One of our L2 team-mates (Hindy Feigenbaum) worked in a camp for individuals with special needs, so she knew right away what we wanted to accomplish. Although none of us were aware of exactly what components we needed to get it working, we did a lot of research and figured out that the best technology to use in order to communicate with the other side is a transmitter and receiver (nRF24). In the early stages, we contemplated using a Bluetooth and GPS tracker combination.We decided against it because we wanted a product that was easy to use and did not need any other devices, as we know many people that do not have constant access to an app or phone. Once we figured out the crucial component, the rest of the project came along pretty easily with the regular trial and error.

Why is the L2 Bracelet Needed in the World? How is it Different from Other Tracking Products? 

(Market Research- Competitors/Existing Products)

The L2 Bracelet is needed to save lives! It does not rely on any digital technology. You do not need a charged and working smart phone or device with an app. All you need is the L2 itself. My BuddyTag, a product currently being produced, is a bracelet that is linked to an app. What if your phone is dead? What if the app doesn't open? Additionally, it requires the caregiver to constantly check the app to find out where the child is located. Another tracking device, such as the GPS tracker, is useful for after the fact. Once a search effort is required, a GPS can help locate the child. It is not helpful before a child is out of your watch, and it will not warn you if they are beginning to wander. Another plus that it has as opposed to the GPS is that the L2 Bracelet works inside  as well as outside. The L2 Bracelet will not add any additional stress onto the already overwhelmed caregiver. All he/she has to do is put it on in the morning. After that, the L2 does all the work. The caregiver does not need to check anything; it will automatically alert the him/her. 

Looking Back, What Would You Change or Do Differently?

(Future Work/Improvements)

If we had the opportunity to enhance the L2 Bracelet, the first thing we would do is add a GPS tracker. It would serve as an extra precaution, so if a situation would arise that the bracelet would, G-d forbid, malfunction, there would still be an easy and efficient way to track the missing child. Another improvement we would make is a sleep setting. This setting would be turned on when the child goes to sleep and it will notify the parents if the room is empty, or if a door or window in the child's bedroom is opened. Third, we would make the bracelet waterproof with a specific water setting. This way, if the child, G-d forbid, gets into water the caregiver will be notified immediately that the child is in danger of drowning. Finally, we would add a lock onto the child's bracelet so it cannot be easily removed. 

What Are Your General Thoughts and Feeling Towards The L2 Bracelet?

(Reflections)

We, at Team L2 Bracelet, truly believe that our product can change the world. We received much positive feedback about how the L2 Bracelet is very necessary for the special needs world. Our journey to create the L2 Bracelet was very enjoyable and filled with many learning experiences! At times, we thought that our prototype had too many issues and would not work, but it defied all odds. We really came together into a cohesive group to work towards the common goal: enhancing the safety of the special needs world, and relieving the fear and anxiety of special needs caregivers. We had a wonderful experience and feel passionate about our product. Who knows? Maybe one day it will actually be able to create real change in the world. 

Did You Incorporate Feedback into Your Project? 

(Peer Review)

Yes! Feedback is very important to us, because it lets us know how we can improve! For example, after getting feedback on the navigation page, we made each picture into a hyperlink, because it was suggested as a way to make the site easier to navigate. We also added more catch lines and explanations for people who are short on time. In addition we shortened the informative video.