Device to help victims of theft wins investment
A FORMER construction project manager in Gloucester is readying the launch of his new tech venture, which seeks to reunite tradespeople with stolen power tools via GPS tracking, following a six-figure backing from two private investors.
The investment in Steve Roberts’ new business, Sentry SL, has helped accelerate the development of tracking technology he has been developing over the past four years.
The ‘Smart-Lead’ devices can be retrofitted into tools such as drills by a registered installer and if stolen or mislaid their location can then be traced via GPS on a mobile phone app.
The product is also designed to prevent stolen tools from being used. The two-parts of the ‘SmartLead’ have an intelligence link, one of which is installed within the tool itself and the other in its power plug.
The tool is rendered inoperable without the ‘Smart-Lead’ plug as it cannot function with a standard plug replacement.
After 40 years in the construction trade Mr Roberts was inspired to create and design the technology from his experiences of seeing “devastated” colleagues having their equipment stolen and being unable to recover it.
Mr Roberts said: “Even if they are insured, people can lose weeks of work before they can afford to buy replacements, and then they’re hit by increased premiums.
“I decided there had to be an effective way to track stolen equipment and, in the longer-term, deter these thefts. It’s really rewarding to see the Smart-Lead idea coming to life now that we have secured this investment.”
Mr Roberts is also developing another model of his invention which can be used to deter the theft of vehicles such as secondhand caravans and campervans.
His idea has been welcomed by private crime investigation body the International Association of Auto Theft Investigators.