Tech start-up Hero Labs launches with UK’s first smart leak defence system, Sonic

London tech start-up Hero Labs launches to help protect against water leaks in UK homes and properties, with the UK’s first smart leak defence system, Sonic.

Headquartered in London, the company has ambitious plans to install its cutting-edge tech into thousands of properties in the UK in next two years – with a focus on mass-affluent consumers.

Water leaks are a huge issue. Every day, over three billion litres of clean drinking water escapes from faulty pipes in the UK alone and escape of water costs UK insurers £2.5 million a day, or nearly £1 billion a year.

Built from scratch by Hero Labs, Sonic is a smart leak defence system that combats leaks in real time. Fitted easily, in most cases under the sink, it’s the only product in the UK to use ultrasonic technology to monitor water use and then spot anything unusual using AI algorithms – from a slow dripping tap, to a burst water pipe. It sends an alert in seconds via the Sonic app and it can automatically shut off the water supply to prevent a water leak damaging possessions and property.

It’s the UK’s first battery-powered leak defence system, so there’s no need for complicated wiring to the mains and its proprietary radio technology can penetrate as many as eight concrete floors, so it can be installed in basements or other difficult to access spaces where there is no WiFi signal. An optional Hero Assist service adds human-based monitoring centre and a 24/7 emergency assistance.

Hero Labs was founded in September 2018 by Krystian Zajac. He launched the UK’s first smart home insurer, Neos, which Aviva took a majority share in at the end of 2018. Hamish Neale also leads the company as Commercial Director, bringing over ten years’ experience in smart home tech, most notably from CEDIA, the trade body supporting high tech home installations for the world’s most affluent households.

Sonic will help insurers combat escape of water claims – which are the most expensive type of home insurance claim in the UK. Hero Labs is already in conversations to partner with well-known UK insurance companies.

For landlords, property developers and business owners, Sonic can protect their properties from damage and loss of income. For consumers, it gives peace of mind that their homes, loved ones and possessions are safe.

Sonic will also help protect the environment. The amount of water being taken out of the environment or ‘over-abstraction’ means that just one in five UK rivers are now deemed ‘healthy’. Sonic will not only be able to prevent fresh water from being wasted through leaks, but the app will also help people conserve water by giving them helpful hints and tips about which appliances are using the most water, so they can make greener decisions.

Krystian Zajac, founder and CEO of Hero Labs, said “Water leaks are a massive issue in the UK, from damaging people’s homes and possessions to destroying the environment, but very little is being done about it. We want to help people eradicate leaks altogether. Our cutting-edge, AI-powered technology is designed to stop water leaks at the source, saving businesses and insurers money on claims, and saving consumers hassle. Sonic is just the tip of the iceberg for us, and we’ll be continually innovating to bring even more solutions to consumers.”

Hamish Neale, Commercial Director of Hero Labs, added “Anyone who’s experienced a water leak in their property knows the trauma it causes. Being able to turn off your water supply from an app is the kind of futuristic technology that shouldn’t be exclusive to the world’s super rich – we want everyone to be able to protect their property and for customers to trust us to do this. That’s why we’ve developed a neat solution to water leaks from the ground up that is accessible to everyone.”

Sonic will be launching to consumers in Autumn 2019.

Source: Hero Labs

  Digital, Hero Labs, Leak Defence, Marketing, Neos, Product Launch, Smart System, Sonic, Technology, UK