By Zabin Bashar
Definitions
Accelerometer- This is a device used to measure acceleration, typically that of an automobile, ship, aircraft, or spacecraft, or that involved in the vibration of a machine, building, or other structure.
Gyroscope- This is a rotating mechanism which comes in the form of a universally mounted spinning wheel that offers resistance to turns in any direction
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| http://www.popsci.com/files/imagecache/article_image_large/articles/SantoshKumarJuly20_1.JPG |
Summary
Santosh Kumar, an Indian professor at the University of Memphis, has created revolutionary, low-powered, cost effective tracking sensors that have widespread uses. One example is his AutoWitness system, made up of playing-card size sensor and a remote server. This inexpensive sensor can track property using cellular signals and inexpensive components. First it detects incriminating motion, as the software can recognize the difference between a theft and rearranging a roof. If the stolen item ends up in a car, the sensors, from time to time, report data about the car’s motion over a cellular network to a remote server along with the signal’s geographical coordinates. Then, the server text messages the car’s last “seen” location to the authorities. All this can be accomplished with a 1-dollar wireless sensor, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a GSM radio, and some complex software. Another example is Kumar’s AutoSense, a system, worn under clothing for monitoring stress levels. Autosense uses a chest band and an armband to track respiration, heart rate, and blood pressure, and features an activity monitor. Software can be loaded onto a smart phone, which analyzes the data. For examples, say an addict in treatment is indoors, outdoors, or smoking. With this information, the software can identify the stress and self-destructive behavior and anticipate when the addict is about to relapse, alerting him or his therapist about his new vulnerable states. These sensors have endless possibilities that can only mean good for the world.
Discussion
These cheap sensors are practical for poor third world countries who need to guard their belongings. With these simple cheap sensors, poor citizens will never need to fear for their few belongings. These sensors are also good to monitor people in therapy like a drug addict or depressed person as this device can identify his state of mind and report it to therapists. These sensors are simple, yet effective and have great potential.
Questions
1) When will these sensors start being mass produced for people to use?
A: Probably when he has added finishing touches such as making the device greener.
2) How accurate are these sensors?
A: I think these sensors are really accurate because the police in some areas want to use them.
3) Can anyone’s smart phone use the software
A: Santosh Kumar will probably put this in an app store like Itunes or the Android Market
A: I think these sensors are really accurate because the police in some areas want to use them.
3) Can anyone’s smart phone use the software
A: Santosh Kumar will probably put this in an app store like Itunes or the Android Market
Sources and Citations:
| Cantor, Doug. "Brilliant 10: Santosh Kumar, the Sensor Guru." PopSci. N.p., 16 Nov. 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2010. <http://www.popsci.com/science/article/ 2010-10/brilliant-10-santosh-kumar-sensor-guru>. |
