PROTECHT rugby mouthguards could monitor military injuries

Swansea-based SWA designed its PROTECHT mouthguards to allow professional rugby teams to monitor and manage head impacts on players from big collisions. The technology reports in real time, providing opportunity for immediate intervention.

Assessing how the organisations could work together to transfer the technology to the battlefield, Thales is drawing on its special forces technical expertise to incorporate PROTECHT into the communication systems and body armour worn by soldiers. The proof of concept, funded by Thales’ R&D programme, will take place at the National Digital Exploitation Centre (NDEC) in Ebbw Vale.

“If successful, this R&D work could enable commanders to know immediately when individual soldiers have been injured or if there are causes for concern if somebody is not responding during an exercise or on operations,” said Gareth Williams, Thales UK VP Secure Communications and Information Systems.

“It could save lives by getting immediate support or medical assistance if someone is in trouble, for example on a night exercise in bad weather or in hostile territory.”