Wearable technology has come a long way in recent years, with innovations emerging across various industries that have the potential to transform both consumer and industrial applications. As the Founder and Managing Director of Feraru Dynamics, Andrei Feraru is at the forefront of this revolution, pioneering advancements in the field of wearable tech. Through his company, Feraru Dynamics, he has led the development of innovative solutions that are addressing significant health and safety challenges, specifically in the realm of Occupational Health.
In this interview, Andrei shares his journey of founding Feraru Dynamics, his passion for wearable technology, the unique challenges faced by his company, and his vision for the future of this rapidly evolving industry.
At HAV-Sentry, our vision is to redefine safety through innovation — bringing the latest sensor technology into Occupational Health to protect and empower every individual at work.
The Inspiration Behind Feraru Dynamics
Andrei Feraru’s interest in wearable technology was sparked early in his engineering career, particularly during his role as a Product Safety Engineer at Rolls-Royce Plc, where he started exploring the intersection of biomedical engineering and human body mechanics. His work focused primarily on understanding the effects of vibrations on the human body, which led to his interest in Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), a serious condition affecting workers who are exposed to hand-arm vibration over prolonged periods.
While touring a factory in Derby, Andrei was introduced to the concept of Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) for the first time. Intrigued by the potential risks posed to workers in industries such as manufacturing and construction, Andrei took it upon himself to research the topic. As he delved deeper into the existing solutions for preventing HAVS, it became clear to him that the current monitoring technology was inadequate. No wearable device existed that could comprehensively measure all the relevant parameters—such as vibration amplitude, frequency, exposure time, grip force, ergonomic posture, and anthropometric data—required to accurately assess vibration exposure and prevent the onset of HAVS.
Recognizing the gap in the market, Andrei set out to develop his own measurement device that complied with ISO standards and UK guidance. The result was the creation of the HAV-Sentry, a wearable technology designed to measure vibration exposure in real-time and prevent the risks associated with HAVS.
“My vision for HAV-Sentry’s role in the wearable technology space is to bring the latest sensor technology into Occupational Health and ensure people stay safe at work,” Andrei explains. “It’s about solving a real problem in the workplace while leveraging the power of wearable technology to keep workers safe.”
In 2018, when the proof of concept was established and it was time to set up a Start-Up, Andrei reached out to his brother Vlad, a recent graduate from Coventry University at the time, and together they formed a team and raised investment to commercialise the intellectual property.
Feraru Dynamics’ Differentiation in the Wearable Tech Industry
Feraru Dynamics has quickly established itself as a unique player in the rapidly growing wearable technology industry. HAV-Sentry, the flagship product of the company, is a wireless and ergonomic wearable designed in full compliance with HSE regulations and aligned with ISO standards 5349 and 8041. According to Andrei, what sets Feraru Dynamics apart is its relentless focus on compliance and user comfort, as well as the company’s ability to push the boundaries of existing wearable technology.
“We are the only comfortable wearable technology that meets the standards of the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and ISO, which is a significant achievement in itself,” Andrei explains. “In 2017, the HSE made the statement that wearable gloves could not measure vibration exposure in a way that would be considered compliant. I saw an opportunity to change that narrative and create the first compliant glove that could measure vibration and other relevant parameters directly at the palm of the hand.”
With nearly five years of research and development and an investment of nearly one million GBP, Andrei and his team succeeded in creating a wearable technology that complied with these stringent standards. This breakthrough was validated when Feraru Dynamics’ HAV-Sentry product was tested by vibration specialists at Buxton Labs in collaboration with the HSE. In December 2023, the HSE revised its official guidance to acknowledge that accurate measurements of vibration according to ISO standards can be made at the palm of the hand.
“What we have created is not only compliant, but also user-friendly,” Andrei emphasizes. “The HAV-Sentry is built for comfort, allowing it to be worn during work without interfering with tasks. There are no tool attachments, no hanging wires, and no interruptions to workers’ daily tasks. It’s designed to provide real-time feedback, notifying workers when they need to stop to prevent dangerous exposure.”
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Adaptation to Industry Shifts
The wearable technology market has seen significant growth in recent years, particularly in the consumer and industrial sectors. As the demand for more advanced and specialized wearables continues to grow, companies like Feraru Dynamics must remain agile in adapting to industry changes and technological advancements.
Andrei believes that Feraru Dynamics is ahead of the curve in the industrial application of wearable technology. “Our wearable technology, particularly in the space of HAVS, is at least seven years ahead of anything else on the market,” he explains. “2025 will be our second commercial year since incorporation, and we are growing faster than we initially forecasted.”
The company is focused on maintaining its competitive edge by reinvesting revenue and seeking additional investment to fuel its growth. Andrei’s vision for Feraru Dynamics extends beyond HAV-Sentry; he sees the company as a leader in Occupational Health and Safety, with plans to introduce additional wearable technologies to address other workplace hazards.
Feraru Dynamics’ commitment to innovation is further demonstrated by its efforts to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into its wearable devices. Andrei explains that the company is working on AI models that can predict how long an individual operator can continue working with vibrating tools before developing symptoms of HAVS. This predictive capability will further enhance the ability to prevent occupational diseases before they develop.
Shaping the Future of Wearables
HAV-Sentry is already reshaping the role of wearable technology within the field of Occupational Health. Prior to the introduction of HAV-Sentry, businesses relied on outdated methods of vibration exposure monitoring that were often inaccurate and general in nature. Andrei describes how previous approaches involved using accelerometers attached to tools or surfaces for brief periods, providing limited data that had to be manually analysed to assess exposure risks.
This method often overlooked critical factors such as the individual worker’s grip force, posture, and how they interacted with the tool. “With HAV-Sentry, we take all of these factors into account,” Andrei explains. “By monitoring an entire work shift of vibration exposure, grip force, posture, and anthropometric data, we can provide a comprehensive map of each worker’s individual exposure, identifying the root causes of vibration-related risks.”
The innovative technology behind HAV-Sentry allows businesses to make data-driven decisions and implement effective control measures to reduce exposure risks. Furthermore, the technology provides a real-time alert system to warn workers when they are nearing dangerous levels of vibration exposure. This shift from reactive to proactive monitoring marks a significant leap forward in the field of occupational health.
The Role of AI and Machine Learning
Andrei believes that artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a vital role in shaping the future of wearable technology, “AI and ML will play a central role in driving the next wave of innovations in wearables. Incorporating these technologies into our products will enable us to offer even more advanced features, such as predictive analytics, job rotation suggestions, and anomaly detection.”
Feraru Dynamics is already integrating AI and ML into its solutions, creating a more intelligent, personalized approach to health and safety monitoring. The company is working on developing a Digital Occupational Health Assistant that can detect anomalies, predict exposure risks, and provide real-time feedback to workers and managers.
Overcoming Challenges as a Founder
As a founder and managing director, Andrei has faced many challenges along the way. One of the early challenges was balancing his passion for engineering with the need to manage various aspects of the business. “As a technical founder, I was deeply involved in the engineering side of the business, I quickly found myself needing to master sales, marketing, and various other aspects to help drive the company’s success,” he shares.
Another challenge has been navigating the complex regulatory landscape, ensuring that Feraru Dynamics’ products comply with evolving safety standards. “We’ve worked closely with regulatory bodies and industry committees to stay on top of changing standards, which has been crucial to our success,” Andrei notes.
Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations
As wearable technology becomes more integrated into various aspects of life and work, data privacy and ethics have become significant concerns. Andrei is acutely aware of these issues and emphasizes the importance of responsible data handling. “We take data privacy and ethical considerations very seriously,” he says. “Our products do not collect any personal information about the users; instead, we focus solely on capturing vibration exposure data and how workers perform their tasks.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Feraru Dynamics
Looking toward 2025 and beyond, Feraru Dynamics’ strategic priorities include expanding its global footprint, developing new products, and continuing to innovate in the wearable technology space. Andrei envisions his company as a leader in global wearable tech innovation, setting new standards for occupational health and safety.
“Ultimately, our goal is to create a safer working environment for people worldwide, and to continue leading the charge in preventive health and safety,” Andrei concludes. “We want to ensure that workers go home in the same condition they came in the morning, and we’re committed to achieving that through wearable technology.”
Advice for Entrepreneurs and Innovators
For aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators looking to make their mark in the wearable technology space, Andrei offers valuable advice: “Stay focused on solving real-world problems, prioritize user-centric design, and embrace collaboration. Seek feedback from clients and remain adaptable to change. If you align your technology with genuine needs, you can create impactful solutions that resonate in the market.”
With a clear vision for the future and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Andrei Feraru and Feraru Dynamics are poised to continue shaping the future of wearable technology for years to come.