Development of an Enhanced Internet of Things-Based Wearable Human Tracking Security System with Integrated Distress Alert Mechanism

International audience The rising incidence of kidnapping, robbery, and violent crimes necessitates reliable real-time personal safety solutions. This study presents the development of an IoT-based wearable human tracking security system with an integrated distress alert mechanism, designed to enhance safety in Nigeria. The system integrates an ESP32 microcontroller, GPS and GSM modules, and heart rate sensors, enabling real-time location tracking and immediate alert transmission. Circuit functionality was validated via Proteus simulation, while performance evaluation using accuracy, precision, and latency metrics demonstrated values of 91.0%, 93.0%, and 2.4 seconds, respectively, confirming high detection reliability and responsiveness. User experience assessment using the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) revealed strong positive correlations between behavioral intention and facilitating conditions (r = 0.664), social influence (r = 0.631), perceived security and privacy (r = 0.639), effort expectancy (r = 0.549), and performance expectancy (r = 0.543), all statistically significant at p < 0.01. Behavioral intention also showed a very high correlation with system adoption (r = 0.930, p < 0.01), indicating strong user trust and sustained utilization potential. The proposed system offers a robust, real-time solution for personal safety, emergency response, and healthcare monitoring, ensuring immediate location tracking and confirmation of distress alerts, thereby addressing critical gaps in existing wearable safety technologies.