Local mobile solution company Group Connect will sell a range of GPS watches aimed at people travelling with young children or senior citizens.
The wearable device shares the wearer's location with fellow travellers or family members on a private map. It has a SIM card in the watch, which allows it to work as a simple mobile phone and does not need to be tethered to a smartphone.
Users are able to have two-way communication with other members within the private group. They are able to call and send messages to each other.
There is a built-in SOS button which, once pushed, will automatically notify the entire family or group and call the pre-set emergency contact number.
The device will also notify all group members if someone wearing the watch ventures out of a pre-determined 'safe zone'.
In July, the company released a smartphone app, Group Connect, which incorporates the watch features.
"Group Connect was designed and developed to help keep families and friends safe and connected in the real world. Now with our GPS watches, young kids and ageing grandparents can also take advantage of the platform. The intention here is to be a location-sharing app for the entire family," says Group Connect director Travis Bester.
The company aims to make travelling in groups simpler and allow each person to "do their own thing" in a foreign space, while still knowing where everyone is.
The company will develop another app for wearables like the Apple Watch and Samsung Gear 2 in the near future.
The GPS watches are available on pre-order and will be shipped early next year. Prices for the devices start at R1 499.
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