Firm behind wireless alert buzzer for seniors wins DBS award

Help at the push of a button

- Osmond Chia

A local firm has clinched a contract potentially worth more than $50 million to extend its emergency buzzer system for seniors to 170 additional rental blocks over the next five years, after a successful pilot since 2019.

The wall-mounted, wireless red button lets seniors — particularly those living alone or without family support — reach emergency services with a single push.

The expanded roll-out is part of a second contract awarded to Singapore-based tech firm iWow Technology in early 2025 by the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) to procure wireless alert devices for more seniors in Housing Board rental flats over the next five years.

The devices are developed by Buddy of Parents (BOP) — a subsidiary company of iWow — which on May 29 received a $1 million grant under DBS Foundation's Impact Beyond Award for its efforts to support seniors and caregivers through smart technology.

The award will support the development of new products and the firm's outreach to vulnerable seniors and international growth, said BOP executive director Chen Jer Yaw.