A New Era of Senior Safety: The Always-On Airbag for Your Hips

DALLAS and CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. – February 02, 2026 – A groundbreaking collaboration is poised to redefine safety for older adults, pairing a hip-protecting airbag belt with a dedicated, always-on cellular connection that operates independently of Wi-Fi. Tech giant AT&T, medical device innovator ActiveProtective, and IoT hardware specialist JACS Solutions have joined forces to enhance the Tango Belt, a device designed to prevent one of the most devastating injuries for seniors: a hip fracture.

The partnership introduces a new Connectivity Device, ensuring that when a fall occurs, the life-saving technology not only deploys its protective airbag but also instantly and reliably alerts caregivers, regardless of the user's location or access to a local internet network.

A Clinically Proven Shield Against Fracture

Falls are a leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries among older adults, with hip fractures being particularly catastrophic, often leading to a loss of independence, significant healthcare costs, and increased mortality. The Tango Belt by ActiveProtective was engineered to directly combat this crisis. Worn discreetly around the waist, it uses sophisticated motion sensors to detect the specific signature of a dangerous, hip-impacting fall. In milliseconds, it deploys a small airbag over the hip, cushioning the impact and dramatically reducing the risk of fracture.

The device's effectiveness is not merely theoretical. ActiveProtective secured FDA marketing authorization in April 2025 after the Tango Belt received a Breakthrough Device Designation. A multi-center clinical study demonstrated staggering results: a 91% reduction in fall-induced hip fractures among users. The benefits extended further, with the study also reporting a 66% reduction in fall-related emergency department visits and a 56% decrease in fall-related hospitalizations.

"This mission is personal for us because we have seen the impact of hip fractures firsthand," said Wamis Singhatat, CEO of ActiveProtective. The company's goal has been to create a solution that allows older adults to move with confidence. However, the best protective hardware is only part of the solution; ensuring a rapid response is equally critical.

The Connectivity Game-Changer: Beyond Wi-Fi

While many personal emergency response systems rely on Bluetooth connections to a smartphone or a home's Wi-Fi network, these methods have inherent vulnerabilities. A power outage, an unstable internet connection, or simply being out of range can render a device useless in a moment of crisis. The new collaboration directly addresses this critical gap.

JACS Solutions, a U.S.-based firm specializing in secure, customized IoT hardware, developed the Connectivity Device for the Tango Belt. The compact module, known as the JACS TD0301TAA, is a powerful LTE network connector that integrates seamlessly with the belt. It ensures that fall detection data and caregiver alerts are transmitted securely and instantly over a dedicated broadband connection, bypassing the need for Wi-Fi entirely.

"JACS Solutions is honored to work with AT&T and ActiveProtective to provide a reliable, potentially life-saving broadband connectivity solution for healthcare providers," stated Dr. Chang Gang Zhang, Vice President of Technology for JACS Solutions. "Together, we are redefining how connected health technologies support independence for vulnerable populations. The strength of this collaboration enables us to elevate and deliver a higher standard of care for better patient outcomes." This creates a closed-loop system where protection and communication are inextricably and reliably linked.

An Ecosystem for Modern Healthcare

The partnership represents a powerful new blueprint for the Internet of Things (IoT) in healthcare, converging the strengths of a telecom giant, a medical device specialist, and an IoT hardware expert. AT&T provides the vast, secure network infrastructure that powers the new device. The company's Connected Healthcare division has been a long-term player in the digital health space, focusing on enabling remote patient monitoring and secure data transmission for years.

This initiative is a prime example of AT&T's strategy to embed its secure, reliable network into critical, life-saving applications. By providing the digital backbone for the Tango Belt, AT&T ensures that critical information reaches caregivers without delay.

"Knowing your loved one is safe at home gives one peace of mind. AT&T's Connected Healthcare is committed to delivering tailored solutions that help our customers exceed expectations," said Lee Wagner, AVP of Connected Solutions at AT&T. "By fostering strong relationships with experts in this field and maintaining a commitment to reliability and security, AT&T connectivity enhances patient care through innovative connected solutions." This level of integration, with built-in security protocols compliant with healthcare regulations like HIPAA, is essential for handling sensitive patient data.

Empowering Independence and Value-Based Care

The ultimate impact of this technological convergence is deeply human. For older adults, the fear of falling can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, social isolation, and a premature loss of independence. The Tango Belt, now with guaranteed connectivity, offers the freedom to move confidently, whether at home or within a larger senior living community. For families and caregivers, it provides invaluable peace of mind, knowing that they will be alerted immediately if a fall occurs.

This enhanced safety proposition is also transforming the business of senior care. ActiveProtective is specifically targeting senior living communities and healthcare systems that operate under Value-Based Care (VBC) models. These models reward providers for positive patient outcomes and cost reduction, rather than the volume of services provided.

By proactively preventing costly hip fractures and reducing hospitalizations, the Tango Belt offers a clear return on investment. A facility that can demonstrate lower fall-related injury rates is not only providing a higher standard of care but also aligning with the financial incentives of modern healthcare. This is already being seen in practice, with facilities like Plymouth Place Senior Living partnering with ActiveProtective to deploy the technology across their communities. The new, Wi-Fi-independent connectivity makes this deployment even more straightforward and reliable for large-scale operators, ensuring every resident is protected.

The Tango Belt is now available to senior living communities and healthcare providers, with orders including personalized onboarding and support to ensure wearers and caregivers can fully leverage its protective capabilities.