Where in the World?! - Similar Projects and Products

Similar Projects and Products

Similar Projects

University of Minnesota
Graduate students at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities are currently working on a similar product to be used indoor. The technology is still in the inventing stage and is slowly evolving into something that can be used and researched more widely throughout society. Right now the technology used is scarce, expensive, and hard to set up in an every day environment [1].

Poland and the USA
Students and researchers have teamed together at University of Warmia and Mazury in Poland and at Ohio State University to improve accuracy in GPSs that will strengthen the ability for the device to be used "in potentially hazardous regions at high altitudes". This device has been enhanced to calculate and notice small changes in altitude [2].

Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Researchers at MIT are currently and have been researching how to improve accuracy of GPSs by using Quantum pulses [3].

Similar Products

The KeyRinger

KeyRingers are a combination of two small items, one attached to key chains that functions as a remote while the other is attached to the item you wish to find. When the remote is activated, the locator gives off signals in the form of beeping until the item is found[4].

-Sold in sets of two with lithium batteries, key chain links, double-sided adhesive strips, and a stick-on magnet

-Uses technology with a 12 month long battery life

-Responds up to 300 hundred feet away

-Signals with a 106 decibel tone and flashing lights. It is a visual locator rather than computer based.

$29.95 Per Pair

The EZ Find

The EZ Find item locator includes a handheld device that is used to track tags as well as multiple attachable tags that are used to track lost items. One attaches the tags to items such as remotes, keys, etc and when activated, the tags will beep until found [5].

-Sold in a Starter Pack that includes the handheld and 25 attachable tags

-Includes a hand-held transmitter with a LCD screen

-Responds up to 100 feet away outdoors

-Signals with a beeping sound when handheld device is activated

$59.95 for Starter Pack and $19.95 for Additional Tags

Garmin GTU 10

The Garmin GTU 10 tracking system is a wireless system that allows for online tracking across the nation. It uses a GPS that is attached to or placed in anything from a bike to a child's backpack. Once the GPS is on the move, it can be located using coordinate systems online through a series of wireless maps. [6]

-Sold in a pack with the GTU 10, USB cable for computer use, case, adhesive strip and one year of standard tracking

-Uses a high-sensitivity GPS

-Responds to U.S. national coverage with a wireless connection

-Uses a rechargeable Li-ion battery

$199.99 for Package and One Year of Tracking

Cost Benefit Comparison

Item	Range Inside	Range Outside	Size	Battery Life	Locatable Items	Traceable Tags	Cost	Locator Type
Where in the World?!	145 x 155 feet	1 mile	5.7” x 1.625” x 2.2”	12 Months	IPod, Phones, Remotes, Bike	Infinite	$50 and $15 monthly	Online Maps
KeyRinger	300 feet	300 feet	2.03” x 1.25” x 0.52”	12 Months	Keys, Canes, Eye Glass Case	1 at a time	$29.95	Sound
EZ Find Locator	60 feet	100 feet	1.5" x 1.3" x .37	10-12 Months	Pets, Children, Meds, Phone	25 individual tags	$59.95	Sound
Garmin GTU	National Coverage	National Coverage	1.3” x 3.0” x 0.8”	Rechargeable	Backpacks, Bikes, Children, Etc	1 Tracker	$199.99, Plus $49 per year	Online Maps

[1]global.umn.edu/about/gps.html [2] sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/08/110817101935.htm

[3]web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2001/quantum-0829.html [4]keyringer.com [5]ez-find.com/product

[6]garmin.com/ces/gtu10