Human Condition Safety

About Human Condition Safety

Human Condition Safety (HCS) was a technology firm established in 2014, focusing on enhancing worker safety in high-risk industries through wearable technology and artificial intelligence. The company was founded in New York City by Peter E. Raymond and Oliver Rothauser as a spin-out from the research and development lab, Human Condition Labs. HCS aimed to serve sectors such as construction, manufacturing, energy, and warehousing by developing systems to prevent workplace injuries.

The company's core business involved creating a product and service offering that integrated wearable devices, AI, cloud computing, and Building Information Modeling (BIM). This technology was designed to monitor workers' movements, track ergonomic risks like bending and loads, and establish geofenced zones to alert supervisors of unauthorized entry into restricted areas. One of their notable projects was the SafeScan program, which utilized virtual reality for hyperrealistic safety training, allowing workers to practice dangerous tasks in a simulated environment. The business model was centered on providing these tools to help clients make worksites safer and ultimately reduce their overall cost of risk, particularly workers' compensation costs.

Throughout its operation, Human Condition Safety secured significant funding, raising a total of $18.1 million over three rounds from investors including AIG, Microsoft, and Sterling Partners. AIG was a key strategic investor, backing the startup with the goal of leveraging its technology to cut workers' compensation expenses. In November 2016, the company underwent a management transition, with the founders leaving to pursue new ventures and a new team appointed to shift the focus from R&D to commercialization. Despite initial successes in pilot programs and strategic partnerships, HCS filed for bankruptcy in March 2017 and was subsequently acquired by an AIG subsidiary.