Sentinel provides bolt‑on AI monitoring and UHF‑RFID devices that prevent student elopement in special‑education classrooms and care facilities without requiring wearables. The self‑contained units attach to existing doors, using real‑time person detection and RFID authentication to alert staff or engage a magnetic lock only when an unauthenticated individual enters a protected zone. Sentinel Reach adds layered egress locking and a wireless FOB for staff‑controlled override, complying with fire‑code requirements.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Special‑education classrooms and care facilities face frequent elopement incidents, creating safety hazards for vulnerable individuals and liability for staff. Existing solutions rely on staff monitoring or wearable tags, which are labor‑intensive, can be removed, and stigmatize the person being tracked.
Solution
Sentinel and Sentinel Reach are bolt‑on devices that attach to existing doors and combine real‑time AI person detection with UHF‑RFID authentication to identify unauthorized entry into a protected zone. When a student or patient without proper RFID presence approaches, the system sends an immediate staff alert and, for Sentinel Reach, engages a magnetic lock to prevent door opening until the individual leaves the zone or an authorized override is used. All events are logged for compliance and analytics, while the AI operates without facial recognition, preserving privacy. The devices require no rewiring, networking overhaul, or wearable equipment, allowing schools and facilities to secure doors with minimal infrastructure changes.
Target Audience
Primary customers are special‑education schools, residential care facilities, and private providers that need non‑intrusive, door‑based elopement prevention for students or patients with behavioral challenges.
Features
- Bolt‑on, self‑contained unit that mounts on any standard door without wiring or construction work
- Real‑time AI person detection (no facial recognition) to monitor the door’s active zone
- UHF‑RFID authentication for staff and authorized personnel, enabling selective access
- Automatic staff notifications when an unauthorized individual approaches the door
- Sentinel Reach adds a magnetic lock that engages only during an elopement risk, with a long‑range wireless FOB for teacher override
- Event logging and analytics dashboard for compliance reporting and trend analysis
- Compliance with fire‑code requirements through multiple independent lock‑disabling mechanisms