iMace: Protecting Females from Sexual and Violent Offenders in a Community via Smartphones

Abstract

Personal safety in a community is an important issue. In particular, females and children are more vulnerable to violent and/or sexual attacks. In this project, we utilize smart phones and wireless networking techniques to provide a rescue-seeking mechanism for people under attack. When a user encounters an assault, by simply shaking the smart phone, iMace will not only produce high-pitch alarms to fend off the attacker but also quickly notify friends and law enforcement the location and even the snapshot of the attack. Such a fast response to attacks can eventually lead to a safer and better community.