Conextivity Group - Experts & Thought Leaders

Fischer Connectors, the pioneer in high-performance connectivity solutions, has brought its world-renowned Swiss engineering expertise to the universal USB-C standard. The Fischer UltiMate™ Series, the company’s flagship range for harsh environments, now includes a pre-cabled USB-C connector equipped with Fischer Connectors’ new Ratchet Locking System (RLS). This connector provides unmatched resistance to vibration and shock, ensuring safe connections for high-speed data transfer under extreme operating conditions in sectors such as defense, mining, construction, motorsports and railways. Fischer UltiMate USB-C connector Fischer Connectors designed the connector to provide optimal reliability in mission-critical environments The newly released Fischer UltiMate USB-C connector with the Ratchet Locking System (RLS) combines high-speed data transmission with the robust mechanical performance Fischer Connectors is known for. Leveraging its core competencies in ruggedization, sealing, miniaturization, and data transmission, Fischer Connectors designed the connector to provide optimal reliability in mission-critical environments, ensuring safe and stable connections in demanding applications and markets, such as defense armored vehicles, UAVs, and UGVs, mining, heavy machinery at construction sites, motorsports, and railways. These environments are characterized by high levels of vibration and shock. RLS designed to resist high vibration and shock At the heart of this innovation is the new Ratchet Locking System (RLS). Its fastening mechanism uses an asymmetrical tooth profile to securely lock under load and resist loosening under high vibration. Key benefits include exceptional vibration resistance (by maintaining lock under high-frequency vibration), tool-free operation (easy mating and unmating in the field, even with gloves), and durability with high rates of mating cycles. Fischer Connectors' product portfolio Fischer Connectors has introduced the RLS to its most robust product line, UltiMate Logically, Fischer Connectors has introduced the RLS to its most robust product line, UltiMate. In the Fischer UltiMate’s classical size 15 contact block (with up to 27 pins and 25.8-mm receptacle diameter), the RLS system achieves the best vibration and shock resistance in the entire Fischer Connectors product portfolio, withstanding 37.8 Grms of random vibration and 300 g of shock amplitude. Ruggedized USB-C connector for harsh environments The new UltiMate USB-C connector with RLS has been independently validated to withstand 5.35 Grms of random vibration (50–2000 Hz, 3x1.5 hrs, no discontinuity >1 μs), 10 g of sinus vibration (10–500 Hz, 3x3 hrs, no discontinuity >1 μs), and shock up to 100 g (half sine pulse, 6 ms, no discontinuity >1 μs). Additional features include an IP68 sealing for the plug; hermeticity for the receptacle (<10⁻⁸ mbar l/s); an operating temperature range of −30 °C to +80 °C; corrosion resistance of 350 hours of salt mist; 3,000 mating cycles; and 360° EMC shielding. USB-C RLS connector “Our new USB-C RLS connector offers environmental and mechanical performance in compliance with IEC and MIL-STD norms,” says Alexandra Monchâtre, Head of Product Management at Fischer Connectors. “This new product truly offers the best of both worlds: the ultra-standard and the ultra-rugged.” Rugged, compact and high-speed connectors New Fischer UltiMate USB-C RLS connector complements Fischer Connectors’ existing range of rugged With its new USB-C interface supporting high-speed data, video, and power transmission over a compact connector footprint, the new Fischer UltiMate USB-C RLS connector complements Fischer Connectors’ existing range of rugged, high-speed data transmission solutions designed for signal integrity, mechanical endurance, and space-constrained environments. The UltiMate USB-C RLS is available as a pre-cabled plug and receptacle (28 mm diameter) with a flex PCB. This all-in-one solution provides robust connectivity and flexibility in various design configurations for modern electronic devices, especially in applications where space, speed, and reliability are critical. It offers a compact design and supports USB 3.2 Gen 1x2 transmission with data rates up to 10 Gbit/s. New USB-C RLS connector The new USB-C RLS connector expands Fischer Connectors’ offerings across its high-speed Core The new USB-C RLS connector expands Fischer Connectors’ offerings across its high-speed Core, MiniMax, and UltiMate series, which support data protocols such as USB 3.2, Ethernet up to 10 Gbit/s, Audio/UHD Video up to 18 Gbit/s (HDMI 2.0 type), and Single Pair Ethernet (SPE). “As part of our technology and innovation strategy, our Group R&D team offers engineers designing applications in extreme environments a versatile technology platform with various standards and connector types,” explains Alvaro Goncalves, Technology Director at the Conextivity Group, of which Fischer Connectors is a part. Innovation, agility, and precision skills “This new USB-C connector with RLS is a good example of how we combine our technology ‘bricks’ – high-density miniaturization, high-speed data, and ruggedness – to increase integration capability, compatibility, and interoperability across customer markets." "Conextivity has the innovation, agility, and precision skills needed to meet the most stringent requirements in demanding environments.”

The innovative connected tactical vest project uses artificial intelligence (AI) for its abnormal-situation detection system and can transmit this warning to a command center via the Internet of Things (IoT). This innovation, applied to the operational needs of various law-enforcement professions, is the first result of a partnership between France's General Directorate of the National Gendarmerie (DGGN) and Wearin', the Swiss technology group Conextivity’s startup. The new tactical IoT solution, which attaches to pre-installed body armor, ensures redundant safety and connectivity through a state-of-the-art AI-enhanced warning device that is independent of current radio systems. Called the Wearin' Brain, this ruggedized device is triggered either manually by an SOS button, or automatically when it detects an abnormal situation such as loss of verticality, piercing of the body armor cover after a stab wound, or a bullet impact. In the event of a warning, the device also transmits the geolocation of personnel. Gendarmes’ electronic equipment The kit also features luminous fibers integrated into the front and back of the vest offering personnel The connectivity kit features smart power management via a central high-performance battery guaranteeing eight hours of autonomy, which considerably increases the running time of gendarmes’ electronic equipment. The kit's optimized cabling allows the equipment to be recharged via a single cable, which the agent can easily connect at the end of a mission, or to his/her vehicle if required during an extended mission. The Wearin' Brain, the Wearin’ Battery and its quick-release system are integrated ergonomically into the vest via MOLLE fasteners and/or heavy-duty multifunctional pouches with no snagging areas. The kit also features luminous fibers integrated into the front and back of the vest offering personnel on night operations the option of enhanced visibility. Types of intervention by gendarmes It will be able to evolve and adapt to meet the operational needs of law enforcement agencies "The vest that we are co-developing with Wearin' embeds the latest technologies in connectivity, detection, communication, and visibility," explains Lieutenant-Colonel Fabrice Blanc, director of the "connected vest" program at the DGGN. The IoT solution called Wearin' X DGGN Smart Tactical Vest has been designed with an open, modular architecture that keeps the interoperability of current and future systems in focus. Over the course of the partnership, it will be able to evolve and adapt to meet the operational needs of law-enforcement agencies, which vary according to the different types of intervention by gendarmes, national or municipal police officers, or customs agents. Vest's functionalities and performances "It's the field that commands in this type of applied innovation," confirms Jonathan Brossard, Director of Wearin' and CEO of Conextivity Group. "Versatility, modularity, and interoperability are at the heart of our R&D approach. The smart vest's functionalities and performances will be tested by various units of the gendarmerie throughout 2024, with the aim of meeting their diverse needs in terms of safety, resilience, and efficiency in the field." "Our collaboration with the DGGN involves pooling our experience, skills, and technologies to deliver a cutting-edge, open system that will evolve in line with the current and future requirements of agents’ multiple professions and missions." Coordination of intervention units Heads can speed up tactical decision-making and improve the coordination of intervention units The IoT platform developed by Wearin' can be delivered with a dashboard integrated into the command-center system to provide real-time information about the situation on the ground, via data from sensors, warning devices, and communication systems worn by personnel on operations.  Based on this precise intelligence of operations underway, transmitted in bidirectional streams, commanders can speed up tactical decision-making and improve the coordination of intervention units, as well as their response times. Innovation partnership Signed in November 2023, the innovation partnership between Wearin' and the DGGN is supported by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces' Defense Innovation Agency and the National Gendarmerie’s Transformation Department. Officially unveiled at the Milipol show in Paris in November 2023, the connected tactical vest from Wearin' and the DGGN will be showcased on the international stage at the World Police Summit in Dubai, March 5-7, 2024, on Wearin' stand no. SS2 A32. The vest has also been shortlisted by the show's jury to compete for the prestigious World Police Summit Awards in the Innovative Police Force category.

Since the beginning of October, all the agents at the security company SOS Cash & Value have been equipped with the intelligent vest from Wearin’, the startup whose Internet of Things (IoT) technology is specifically designed to reinforce the safety and efficiency of its mission-critical teams on the ground. Sensors integrated into the monitoring center The high-tech vest that SOS Cash & Value's security guards wear during their mission throughout Switzerland is equipped with environmental and biometric sensors connected to the monitoring center based at the security company's headquarters in Vernayaz (Valais). The Wearin' dashboard integrated into the center’s warning system provides real-time information on the situation on the ground. It continuously displays the data from the sensors whose algorithms correlate biometry, movement, acceleration, and positioning in the vicinity and in the armored vehicle, which is also equipped with a specific sensor. Real-time alert and communication system An alarm is automatically triggered when the system detects an abnormal situation or the stress caused by an incident An alarm is automatically triggered when the system detects an abnormal situation such as a security guard falling over (Man Down detection), or the stress caused by an incident such as an attack on a vehicle. The alert and communication system between the agents and the monitoring center enables the SOS Cash & Value mission leaders to decide on the actions and measures to secure and intervene with the emergency services and police forces at the incident scene. Reliability and safety “This personal equipment is revolutionizing the world of private security,” explains Pierre-Yves Glassey, CEO of SOS Cash & Value. “It’s cutting-edge and provides an ingenious and reliable solution, tailored by Wearin' to our company’s specific needs, and based on our experience and standards in security. This high-tech bulletproof vest provides a security guard with exceptional safety.” Technology testing The technology developed by Wearin's R&D engineers in Morges (Vaud) was successfully tested on a European scale in May 2022, during first-aid drills in the event of a major disaster. It is intended for organizations whose staff is called upon to coordinate risky activities and interventions on the ground, such as police forces, firefighters and first responders, or lone workers in the logistics or construction sectors. Turnkey end-to-end solution The digital platform that is easily integrated into the customer's monitoring system" “Our IoT technology is unique on account of its ingenuity as well as its integrability and modularity,” specifies Alvaro Goncalves, Wearin’s Technical Director. “We implement it as a turnkey end-to-end solution, on two platforms that communicate permanently with each other: on the one hand, the physical platform of the smart vest worn in the field by the customer's staff and, on the other hand, the digital platform that is easily integrated into the customer's monitoring system.” Scalable digital solution “The digital platform collects and centralizes the data transmitted by the vests’ sensors. These data are processed by artificial intelligence and then displayed via an application on a security dashboard used by the operators in the engagement and monitoring centers.” “Both platforms are modular and scalable. Our solution is designed to adapt easily and quickly to the customer's needs and technological capabilities.” Encryption Our group wants to take the lead in reinforcing our agents’ security, which is the priority" The SOS Cash & Value Security Manager notes the data security guaranteed by the solution, "This is a crucial point for the SOS Surveillance Group, to which SOS Cash & Value belongs. Our group wants to take the lead in reinforcing our agents’ security, which is the priority.” “Since the encryption used by Wearin' to encode our data is of the highest industrial standard, we are protected against any criminal intent to decrypt them.” IoT and AI Jonathan Brossard, CEO of Conextivity Group to which Wearin’ belongs, is pleased to implement the solution as a world first with a Swiss customer, "Three years almost to the day after the creation of our startup, and following strategic partnerships concluded early this year with leading suppliers such as Airbus  with its Secure Land Communications (SLC) division, the race was on to implement the solution on the ground.” “We’re pleased that it’s in Switzerland, the country where our solution was designed, that Wearin' is applying its unique IoT and artificial intelligence technology at the service of the connected human.”