Kochi, June 30 (IANS) A Kochi-based tech firm Thursday launched 'Sentinel', billed as the first smartphone application for improving women's security. The free app will a user send e-mail and SMS alerts to multiple pre-configured numbers.

 
 Christin Emmanuel George, co-founder and CEO of MindHelix Technologies LLP, said the application was created with urban women in mind.
 
 The alerts consist of the last known location, direction of travel and details like mode of transport and vehicle number that the traveller can enter and other details to close friends or family,
 
 The application runs on smart phones with Android, Blackberry, Symbian, iPhone and Java operating systems and can be downloaded from http://sentinel.mindhelix.com/
 
 "With security being a major concern and attacks on citizens being more common than ever Sentinel can provide and extra blanket of security enabling quick alerts while facing threats," said George.
 
  With the release of smartphones designed just for women and smartphone penetration being on an all-time high among professionals, an alert mechanism which is simple to use is a necessity.
 
 "As young citizen of India it was hard for us to stand by when our mothers, sisters and friends were being victimized. At the earliest we wish to add a direct emailing/texting to nearest police station as soon as possible. We hope to get their consent in receiving and acting on such information," added George.
 
 According to a survey by Assocham Social Development Foundation, more than 53 percent of women feel insecure at workplaces, especially at night, and this was what struck MindHelix, which is a start-up company formed in December 2010 by an engineer and two engineering students with the aim of incorporating multi-faceted technologies under one roof.