Smart glove puts safety in hand

A Coventry-based wearable technology business is targeting rapid growth and international expansion after strong demand for a new approach to workplace safety.

Feraru Dynamics, founded by brothers Andrei and Vlad Feraru, is aiming to reach £8 million in global revenue by 2030 following the rollout of its HAV-Sentry system, a smart glove designed to reduce the risk of Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome. 

The brothers moved to the UK to study and have since built a business serving construction, manufacturing, landscaping and utilities firms worldwide.

Developed in partnership with Coventry University, the wearable technology uses sensing units embedded within an antibacterial, breathable textile glove worn by tool operators. 

Real-time vibration data is captured from the palm and analysed using artificial intelligence and dashboard analytics, helping organisations manage exposure levels and implement compliant control measures aligned with recognised industry standards.

The system also alerts wearers as exposure thresholds are approached, allowing preventative action to be taken and reducing the risk of injury, lost productivity and regulatory penalties. 

More than 30 companies across five continents have already adopted the technology, creating 12 technical and commercial roles and generating millions in forecast revenue for 2026.

Andrei, who first identified the need for a new hand arm vibration solution whilst working at Rolls-Royce, said: “HAV-Sentry has been a real labour of love, taking eight years and over £1 million of research and development investment to get us to a stage where we are going international and really scaling up.

“Our smart glove technology is the only HAVS risk solution in the market that captures accurate, ISO-compliant, personalised exposure data across full shifts, combining human factors, tool health and working practices.”

He added: “Over 200,000 workers in the UK were diagnosed and currently suffer from hand arm vibration syndrome and we believe HAV-Sentry can prevent many more people being added to this huge number.

“Importantly, it also gives companies compliance and credibility, cost savings by eliminating expensive consultancy reports and can deliver root cause identification, providing firms with the opportunity to change processes, improve training or switch tools.

“Every client that has adopted our technology and cloud reporting capability can’t believe they ever thought the widely used paper-based or wrist mounted system and process was ever sufficient for their needs.”

Coventry University has supported Feraru Dynamics from its early stages, working with the founders to patent the technology and form a spin-out company in 2018. 

The university later provided incubation space and academic expertise before the first commercial sale in 2022 and has since divested its equity to support further growth.

Recent months have seen a number of high-profile industry figures join as commercial partners, strengthening the company’s leadership network, including former Balfour Beatty executives Chris Johnson and Tom Edgcumbe, former HS2 chair Sir Terry Morgan and philanthropist Stephen Goldstein CBE, alongside senior leaders from the energy, construction and manufacturing sectors.

Looking ahead, Feraru Dynamics plans to expand beyond vibration monitoring into wearable technologies addressing musculoskeletal disorders, whole-body vibration and exposure to noise, dust and chemicals.

Vlad added: “The investment is important, but what really sets us apart is the fact many of these investors are playing a daily role in helping shape our journey, bringing sector-specific knowledge, deep networks and understanding of industries who will benefit from HAV-Sentry.

“It’s a really exciting time for us, with thousands of workers now using our HAV-Sentry glove every day, working for the likes of Prime Metals, M&M Garages, Amtico, Kier and TSL Contractors like Bridge & Highways and Gallagher Group, SCS Railways and Bylor in the UK.

“Our product has also been adopted by Toyota in the US, Maaden Aluminium mining in Saudi Arabia and Acciona Construction in Australia.”

He added: “The recent change in HSE guidance – validating our palm-based measurement method – is a gamechanger and gives us the momentum to achieve our £8 million sales target by 2030, doubling our workforce in the process.”

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