Get ready for the Internet of Important Things!
Created by Shahram Rezaei, My Driving Pal (MDP) is a multi-purpose solution that allows users to keep tabs on a variety of facets in their everyday life, whether that’s a child, a bike or a vehicle.
The system is comprised of a credit card-sized device, an accompanying mobile app that wirelessly communicates over Bluetooth Low Energy and a backend server. Built around an AVR MCU, the gadget packs a GNSS receiver, a cellular modem, an accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a 1500mAh lithium-ion battery, a SIM Card and a mini-USB connector — all housed inside a 3D-printed case.
Whenever the MDP unit and its paired smartphone are within the maximum range approximately 50 feet of one another, the MDP tracks the item and the device goes into idle mode. The data remains on the smartphone and is not transmitted to the MDP server. However, once the thing being monitored goes beyond the designated area, the MDP’s built-in GNSS receiver and cellular modem are activated. From there, the user receives a push notification.
Beyond merely offering location-based services, the MDP can even forward a user alerts regarding the temperature inside of their car, which can come in handy for those with a child or pet. That being said, there is an assortment of other uses for the all-in-one system, ranging from identifying the whereabouts of pets, keeping an eye on older loved ones suffering from Alzheimer’s in danger of wandering off, or locating a drone that has gone astray. What’s more, the device can also be helpful in simply recording and logging distances on a road trip, biking or leisurely stroll.
The MDP server runs on the Amazon EC2 cloud. While an iOS version of the mobile app is already available, Rezaei notes that a beta version for Android is currently in development.
Intrigued? Head over to its official Kickstarter page, where the team is seeking $35,000. At the time of its campaign, My Driving Pal comes in a variety of colors — white, green, blue, yellow and pink — and begins shipping in November 2015.
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