Researchers at the University of Waterloo have taken a huge step towards making smart devices that do not use batteries or require charging.
These battery-free objects, which feature an IP address for internet connectivity, are known as Internet of Things (IoT) devices. If an IoT device can operate without a battery it lowers maintenance costs and allows the device to be placed in areas that are off the grid.
Many of these IoT devices have sensors in them to detect their environment, from a room’s ambient temperature and light levels to sound and motion, but one of the biggest challenges is making these devices sustainable and battery-free.
Professor Omid Abari, Postdoctoral Fellow Ju Wang and Professor Srinivasan Keshav from Waterloo’s Cheriton School of Computer Science have found a way to hack radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, the ubiquitous squiggly ribbons of metal with a tiny chip found in various objects, and give the devices the ability to sense the environment.
“It’s really easy to do,” said Wang. “First, you remove the plastic cover from the RFID tag, then cut out a small section of the tag’s antenna with scissors, then attach a sensor across the cut bits of the antenna to complete the circuit.”
In their stock form, RFID tags provide only identification and location. It’s the hack the research team has done — cutting the tag’s antenna and placing a sensing device across it — that gives the tag the ability to sense its environment.
To give a tag eyes, the researchers hacked an RFID tag with a phototransistor, a tiny sensor that responds to different levels of light.
By exposing the phototransistor to light, it changed the characteristics of the RFID’s antenna, which in turn caused a change in the signal going to the reader. They then developed an algorithm on the reader side that monitors change in the tag’s signal, which is how it senses light levels.
Among the simplest of hacks is adding a switch to an RFID tag so it can act as a keypad that responds to touch.
“We see this as a good example of a complete software-hardware system for IoT devices,” Abari said. “We hacked simple hardware — we cut RFID tags and placed a sensor on them. Then we designed new algorithms and combined the software and hardware to enable new applications and capabilities.
“Our main contribution is showing how simple it is to hack an RFID tag to create an IoT device. It’s so easy a novice could do it.”
Learn more: Batteryless smart devices closer to reality
The Latest on: Smart devices
[google_news title=”” keyword=”smart devices” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Smart devices
- Brilliant’s $400 smart switches are still working... for nowon May 8, 2024 at 3:00 am
Indefinitely, I hope, but ultimately, it’s not in my hands,” he said, explaining that the company has entered an asset sale phase and is looking for a buyer following the failure of its Series C round ...
- Best Amazon Alexa Devices of May 2024on May 7, 2024 at 4:09 pm
Amazon Alexa Devices provide an unprecedented level of smart home convenience. They’re also compatible with thousands of available products. Read on to learn more about the best devices for use with ...
- Fire TVs, Kindles, Echo Speakers, And Other Amazon Devices Are Discounted For Mother's Dayon May 7, 2024 at 10:34 am
Amazon is celebrating Mother's Day with price cuts across most of its catalog, which could make it easier to find a gift for the mom on your shopping list. Everything from TVs and smart displays to ...
- Here’s how an Echo Show smart display takes Alexa to the next levelon May 7, 2024 at 4:43 am
Alexa is awesome on its own, but an Amazon Echo Show elevates Alexa to a whole new level. We'll explain what makes it a must-have.
- Yale Reveals Next-Gen Smart Devices at Smart Home Expo 2024on May 7, 2024 at 3:48 am
The Yale Smart Video Doorbell notifies homeowners in real time when motion is detected and when guests press the doorbell, it makes a "call." To make sure that everyone in the house can hear the call, ...
- Smart Supply Chain Management: Implementing IoT Technologies To Optimize Supply Chain Visibilityon May 7, 2024 at 3:45 am
Supply chain management can benefit from technological advancements like the Internet of Things to improve connection and communication between different devices.
- 10 Best Smart Home Devices of May 2024on May 1, 2024 at 1:43 pm
Smart home devices can streamline everything from managing your home temperature to saving on energy bills. Here are Newsweek’s favorite smart home devices by function.
- These Smart Devices Make Bird Watching Betteron April 30, 2024 at 5:01 am
There are apps are available to identify birdsong, and devices like Haikubox that monitor your yard 24/7 and ID birds. Smart birdhouses also ID birds, and get snapshots and video for sharing. There ...
- Luxury Smart Home Devices for your Bathroomon April 29, 2024 at 7:45 pm
Step into the future of luxury with our exclusive gallery of smart home devices designed specifically for your bathroom. From smart shower controls that let you fine-tune water temperature to your ...
via Bing News