RALEIGH — Losing a child in an amusement park is every parent’s nightmare. But now there’s a solution.
Raleigh-based startup TraKid has released a high-tech tracking wristband for kids that is designed to be specifically used in amusement parks and zoos.
Child wearing the Trakid Explorer Band while sitting on Father’s shoulders
Billed as lightweight, waterproof and comfortable, the TraKid Explorer Wristband connects to an app and allows parents to monitor their child’s location in real time, anywhere in the park.
In the case of an emergency, park security is immediately alerted via the TraKid app and they will aid the parent in the search for their missing child.
“When children are lost in a park or zoo, it’s not only stressful for families, it also puts a strain on the park’s security resources,” said Zac Penix, Chief Operating Officer of TraKid, in a statement. “With TraKid, we are able to provide parents and children with a more comfortable park experience, while also increasing productivity for park staff.”
According to Parents Magazine, “In a 2005 report, the U.S. Department of Justice estimated that some 340,500 children a year become temporarily separated from a parent or a caregiver for at least an hour.” That statistic only includes reported incidents.
“Our team is composed of parents and siblings who have all experienced that gut-wrenching moment when your little one is not where you thought they would be,” said Brandon Kashani, Chief Executive Officer of TraKid, who founded the company last year and manages a team of around seven. “We believe in the value of having peace of mind and we have created TraKid with our own families in mind.”
TraKid is not the only Triangle startup in the market of tracking devices for kids.
In 2018, Republic Wireless launched Relay, a cell-based, nationwide device that operates essentially like a walkie-talkie. On the small device, kids can simply press a button, say something and be heard on their family members’ smartphones through an app. Parents also can communicate with their kids through the app. And it includes GPS tracking, so parents know where their child is at all times.
