Battery Free Smart Tags Developed for Home Activity Tracking

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed tiny, battery free smart tags designed for home activity tracking. Smaller than a penny, these low cost devices use simple mechanical interactions to generate ultrasonic signals when doors, drawers, or objects are moved.

Each tag produces a unique ultrasonic frequency based on its shape, allowing it to be individually identified. A wearable device detects these signals, enabling applications such as monitoring water usage, tracking gym exercises, or assisting elderly care without needing cameras or continuous power sources.

The system uses ultrasound, which is inaudible to humans and works in a highly private and low power manner. Researchers say the design avoids complex machine learning, relying instead on simple algorithms, making the technology efficient, scalable, and suitable for large scale smart environments.