The motion sensors and data processing chips of STMicroelectronics, the world‘s leading semiconductor supplier across multiple electronic applications, are used by the Finnish design and engineering startup HalTIan for its Snowfox tracking mobile phone. Snowfox is a portable two-way communication device with tracking and positioning function designed for the elderly and children, which helps to improve the personal safety of family members.

This tracking mobile phone is only the size of a matchbox and is easy to carry. It displays the user‘s location on the map in real time, allowing family members to contact the user by phone. There is a push-to-talk button on the phone. As long as you press this button, you can send notifications and phone calls to your family. The free smartphone app provides various map views, location history, and event schedules, making it convenient for family members to take care of children and the elderly .

STMicroelectronics‘ MEMS accelerometer allows this tracking phone to detect the user‘s activity status and determine location, while the STM32 ultra-low-power microcontroller ensures that everything is working properly and energy consumption is minimized. The outstanding real-time performance and energy efficiency of STMicroelectronics chips allow Snowfox to achieve a perfect balance between functionality and battery life.

Pasi Leipälä, co-founder and CEO of HalTIan, said: “When designing a personal safety product, there must be no compromise on safety. After extensive research on different manufacturing companies and their solutions, we choose The STM32 ultra-low-power microcontroller with excellent energy-saving effects, abundant peripherals and the best package size. STMicroelectronics accelerometers also won us high scores in terms of power consumption and performance."

Iain Currie, vice president of sales for the Nordic region of STMicroelectronics, said: “Snowfox tracks mobile phones to keep children and the elderly active and connected, so that relatives can be assured of their personal safety. HalTIan uses high-performance ultra-low-power chips from STMicroelectronics. The decision proved that we play a key role in developing innovative applications that help people enjoy their lives better."

HalTIan‘s hardware prototype platform Thingsee One has been successful due to the ability to develop new IoT (Internet of Things) products and services, and ST‘s advanced technology is indispensable.