In a world where smartwatches and step counters are commonplace, a new generation of wearable technology is entering the market to safeguard your fitness rather than track it.

The Urban Eyes vest is a stylish piece of new equipment that recognizes your presence and doesn't merely glow in the dark.
The 390-gram (0.9-lb) wearable device was invented five years ago by British entrepreneur Tony Rossiter, after his daughter told him about being followed by a man when she was out running. Fast-forward to 2025, and a new second-generation version of the product is now available for preorder, reports New Atlas.

Simple in design, the lightweight, breathable base garment has an adjustable waistband, high-visibility colored panels, and reflective piping. In addition, there are two smaller zipped pockets on the shoulder straps and a sizable smartphone pocket over the tummy.

The Urban Eyes' dual 2.5K/30fps wide-angle front and rear cameras are what set it apart. These are made to be visually striking since each one has a bright white body that is 60 mm (2.4 in) broad and mounts inside a black eye-shaped container that contrasts with it. Each camera also has a blue LED that flashes while it records sound and images.

Read more Splashtop Unveils AR Support System

With a single button click on a small wireless remote, both cameras' simultaneous recording can be started and stopped. Additionally, the wearable can be utilized to snap still images as necessary and to pause recording. Each camera stores footage on SD cards, and it has been stated that a single charge of the cameras' batteries lasts for 90 minutes.

Rossiter made the decision not to go with the current self-contained recording technology, even though there would undoubtedly be some benefits to having the video automatically upload to the cloud via an app.

"Many runners expressed a preference for a plug-and-play solution, as it provides greater flexibility," he tells us. "For instance, an app-based system might encounter network issues while they're out running, potentially disrupting their experience. In contrast, our current setup with the SD card and the newly introduced remote control allows users to maintain complete control over the vest."

The Urban Eyes vest can be preordered now via the company website in a choice of five panel colors, at a price of £150 (about US$204). It should take about 35 days to arrive. The following video provides a demo of its features.