Home > Features and Commentary > Success stories > Kiwi company plays its part in Chilean rescue
by Graeme Kennedy
Zephyr Technology (www.zephyr-technology.com), a hi-tech company formed in New Zealand seven years ago, provided vital equipment in the dramatic rescue of the 33 miners trapped in the San Jose copper and gold mine 624 metres below Chile’s Atacama Desert.
The last Chilean miner to be rescued Luis Urzua waves after reaching the surface at the San Jose mine. (Image: Corbis)
Rescuers used Zephyr’s Physiological Status Monitoring tools to record the miners’ vital signs including heart rate, respiration, activity levels, skin temperature, posture, blood pressure and blood oxygen levels to maintain a 24-hour watch on their physical condition and stress.
The small bio-metric monitors mounted on chest belts were sent down to the miners in capsules also containing food, water, medicines and other supplies through a narrow bore-hole drilled to the underground cavern.
NZTE has helped the company to develop and expand its commercialisation efforts in the lucrative US market.
The company have since headquartered in Washington but have a research and development team in New Zealand.
“Zephyr is working closely with NZTE Washington office, assisting the company with US market development, and is also an active participant in the forth coming AdvaMed conference to be held from 18-21 October this year,” says Richard Laverty, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise’s Operations Director for the ICT, Creative and Service industries.
Zephyr was a pioneer in the use of PSM in sports training and high-stress operational environments and works with front-line organisations including fire departments, the NASA Ames Research Centre, National Guard civil support teams and US Special Forces.
19 October 2010
Back to Top
See 100 years of New Zealand exporting in 60 seconds
FIND OUT MORE
For new and more experienced exporters, the Export guide covers a range of topics from market research and managing risk to working with agents and distributors.
Find detailed information about doing business in key markets, including country information and market research.
