Summary of THE SOCIAL DISTANCING BADGE
The Social Distancing Badge by SensorDots is a wearable device designed to help individuals maintain safe distances during the pandemic. Using an eye-safe LiDAR sensor, it measures proximity with millimeter precision and displays the distance on an LCD screen. The prototype utilized a protoboard, while the redesigned version features a lightweight PCB intended for versatile attachment via lanyard, pin, or clip. It includes customizable firmware, rechargeable battery, and GPIO interfaces, serving as both a social distancing aid and a standalone measurement tool.
Parts used in the Social Distancing Badge:
- Arduino based firmware (328PB micro-controller)
- Eye-safe VL53L1 LiDAR sensor
- Micro USB serial and programming interface
- Hackable GPIO interface
- 100mAh rechargeable button cell lithium battery
- Solderable safety pin
- 4 digit LCD display
- Status/indicator LED
- Charging LED
- Mode switching button
- Lanyard attachment points
As the world continues in the fight against Covid19, makers, developers, Engineers, and open source communities are joining in the fight by creating solutions ranging from open source ventilators to treat people who are sick, to 3D printed face masks to prevent the sickness. One of such solutions, which falls into the latter category, is the ‘Social Distancing Badge’ by SensorDots.
The badge is a solution created to help people effectively implement lifestyle changes like, Social Distancing, that has been ushered in by the virus. The device simply helps people keep their distance from other people or objects, by letting them know the distance between them and the object in front of them.
The Wearable device uses an eye-safe laser-based LiDAR Sensor, through which it obtains distance measurements with millimeter precision. The obtained distance is displayed on the device’s display to let the person approaching or the user know if they are at a safe enough distance from each other.
While the prototype featured a protoboard implementation with a lanyard so the device is hanged around the neck, SensorDot is taking the device through a redesign phase for a more refined product.
The new design, whose PCB has already been sent for manufacturing, is a lightweight low power design that could be pinned to a bag, backpack, shirt or even be used as a belt buckle or hair clip. It could even be used as a handy standalone distance measurement tool that would fit in a wallet with very stretched pockets.
While the badge comes ready to use as a distance measurement tool, it also comes packed with the following features:
- A customizable Arduino based firmware (328PB micro-controller).
- Eye-safe VL53L1 LiDAR sensor.
- Micro USB serial and programming interface, as well as recharging.
- Hackable GPIO interface.
- 100mAh rechargeable button cell lithium battery.
- Optional lanyard or safety pin solder attachment points (badge includes solderable safety pin to clip to a shirt or jacket as well as 3.2mm holes on the top corners to attach a lanyard).
- 57mm x 38mm x 10mm badge size (thickness includes battery).
- Low power and easy to read 4 digit LCD display.
- Displays up to 4 meters on the LCD
- Status/indicator LED and charging LED.
- Mode switching button.
Read more: THE SOCIAL DISTANCING BADGE
- How does the badge measure distance?
The device uses an eye-safe laser-based LiDAR sensor to obtain distance measurements with millimeter precision. - What type of display does the badge use?
It features a low power and easy to read 4 digit LCD display that shows up to 4 meters. - Can the badge be attached to different items?
Yes, it can be pinned to a bag, backpack, shirt, or used as a belt buckle, hair clip, or wallet item. - Does the device have a rechargeable battery?
Yes, it is powered by a 100mAh rechargeable button cell lithium battery with Micro USB charging. - Is the firmware customizable?
Yes, the badge comes with customizable Arduino based firmware using a 328PB micro-controller. - What is the physical size of the badge?
The badge measures 57mm x 38mm x 10mm, including the battery thickness. - Can users attach a lanyard to the device?
Yes, the design includes 3.2mm holes on the top corners specifically for attaching a lanyard. - Does the badge indicate charging status?
Yes, there is a dedicated charging LED along with a status indicator LED.
