Gear

Running vest packs big-eyed "wearable dashcams" to deter attackers

Running vest packs big-eyed "wearable dashcams" to deter attackers
The Urban Eyes running vest features dual 120-degree HD cameras
The Urban Eyes running vest features dual 120-degree HD cameras
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The Urban Eyes running vest features dual 120-degree HD cameras
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The Urban Eyes running vest features dual 120-degree HD cameras
The cameras can be removed for battery-charging and vest-washing
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The cameras can be removed for battery-charging and vest-washing
The vest fits chest sizes ranging from 28 to 52 inches (71 to 132 cm)
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The vest fits chest sizes ranging from 28 to 52 inches (71 to 132 cm)
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If you were a lowlife scumbag looking for someone to attack (bear with us here), you would likely avoid anyone who was wearing prominent front and rear video cameras. Well, that's exactly what the Urban Eyes vest brings to runners and other solo adventurers.

The 390-gram (0.9-lb) wearable device was invented five years ago by British entrepreneur Tony Rossiter, after his daughter told him about being followed by a man when she was out running. Fast-forward to 2025, and a new second-generation version of the product is now available for preorder.

The lightweight breathable base garment is fairly simple, featuring reflective piping, high-visibility colored panels, and an adjustable waistband. There's also a large zippered smartphone pocket over the stomach, along with two smaller zippered pockets on the shoulder straps.

The cameras can be removed for battery-charging and vest-washing
The cameras can be removed for battery-charging and vest-washing

What makes the Urban Eyes special is its two 2.5K/30fps front and rear wide-angle cameras. These are designed to visually stand out, as each one has a 60-mm (2.4-in)-wide bright white body which mounts inside a contrasting black eye-shaped receptacle. Additionally, a blue LED on each camera flashes as it's recording visuals and sound.

A compact wireless remote is used to start and stop recording on both cameras at the same time via a single button-press. That device can also be used to pause recording, and to take still photos as needed. Footage is recorded on SD cards in each camera, with one charge of the cameras' batteries reportedly being good for 90 minutes of runtime.

The vest fits chest sizes ranging from 28 to 52 inches (71 to 132 cm)
The vest fits chest sizes ranging from 28 to 52 inches (71 to 132 cm)

While there would definitely be some advantages to having the video automatically upload to the cloud via an app, as opposed to the existing self-contained recording system, Rossiter decided not to pursue that option.

"Many runners expressed a preference for a plug-and-play solution, as it provides greater flexibility," he tells us. "For instance, an app-based system might encounter network issues while they're out running, potentially disrupting their experience. In contrast, our current setup with the SD card and the newly introduced remote control allows users to maintain complete control over the vest."

It certainly is true that potential attackers won't necessarily know whether or not the cameras are live-streaming to the internet. Additionally though, just the general idea of being recorded while approaching the wearer is intended to be the main deterrent.

The Urban Eyes vest can be preordered now via the company website in a choice of five panel colors, at a price of £150 (about US$204). It should take about 35 days to arrive. The following video provides a demo of its features.

👉 Urban Eyes Vest Demo | See It in Action

Source: Urban Eyes

View gallery - 3 images
7 comments
7 comments
paul314
This seems like an incentive for attackers to take or destroy the vest.
SteveMc
@paul314 Not sure how you see this as an incentive to attack..? No different than anyone walking the street filming with their phone or ‘GoPro’. The only downside I see is that if this product takes off, China will have it in the market soon for under $50.
Cymon Curcumin
The homeless guy in the park who recently threatened to “beat my head against a rock” because he was convinced I was following him around taking his picture (including on the bus which I never take) will love seeing these around.
warmer
considering the number of people who vandalized The Telsa's on camera recently, I don't think this will stop anyone looking to attack someone. That kind of intent overrides logic.
Karmudjun
As a former runner who never worried for his safety (think lanky big somewhat fast male runner), I see how this would be great for women. I've run with women who wore headphones (now they use earbuds) and other than paying attention to traffic, they were oblivious to their surroundings. If they run oblivious, they should have something exactly like this! If it isn't cloud based, then you can rush it and assault the wearer - take the vest & destroy the evidence - so the only true benefit is deterrence. Most people who wish harm weigh the risk against opportunity and may enjoy their image taken on a shaky bouncing camera. May these work to keep wearers safe!
Jinpa
Opting to not include an option to upload to the cloud was a mistake. Even just including GPS coordinated with local time markers would let a home-based monitor record where the runner was, and when. At least the current model should send video and sound data to a recording device somewhere on the runner other than in the vest itself.
MQ
It may deter predatorial magpies... Lowlife will hit you up for the password after the wallet check, they love live streaming their exploits....