Great Britain - A company called Lok8u has created a GPS Child Locator device called num8 (new mate) which attaches securely to a child's wrist. It contains an embedded GPS and cellular transeiver which broadcasts the child's location so long as it is on the child's wrist. If taken off, it immediately texts an emergency message to the programmed mobile phone showing the location via Google Maps.


A spokesman for the manufacturer, Matthew Salmon, said "It uses GPS and GSM (Global System for Mobiles) technology with an accuracy of 10 feet (three meters). It only starts working when the device is connected to the child's wrist ... [and is] very difficult to get off."




He continued, "Even if the child managed to get it off it would send an emergency text message through to your mobile phone. It would give you a Google Maps image with their exact location, the street name and the zip code."

To operate the waterproof device, the parent texts the message "wru" (where are you?") to the child's wrist device. The location is then sent back as a text message to the parent's mobile phone.

The device also has the ability to operate a type of invisible fence, allowing a message to be sent as soon as the child leaves a predefined area.

The device will be ultimately be available in both the United States and Great Britain for the equivalent of $200, plus a $10 per month required subscription.

The spokesman said the company has already received thousands of inquiries on the device. So far, "Fifty percent are positive, 50 percent are negative - that it's a bit Big Brotherish," said Salmon.

Hmmm

Jan 12, 2009 15:24     

How easy is it to jam the signal?
Ronald Stepp report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@Ronald Stepp

Jan 12, 2009 16:19     

Got a hammer?
Pete report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +1

I'd like one

Jan 12, 2009 16:21     

I'd like one version of it for my (outdoor) cats. (or any other outdoor pet you might have ...) it would be nice to have such a solution, those times when you don't know where they've gone & haven't come back in promtly manner. Then it would be nice to just text "wru" and quickly know - (as not knowing is usually the worst part of it). And, that "invisible fence" would be super to ... as one could be notified if they're playing near the road ... (you get the picture - I hope) ... Anyway, I'd say it would be neat for pets, but for my kids? ... I'm not that of a gestapo parent! ... just giving them a mobile phone and proper parent should be enough. I'd Rather put Trust in them, then Distrust ... simply me, $0.02

simply me report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +2

Even if a kid did master how to take it off to get ...

Jan 12, 2009 17:47     

Even if a kid did master how to take it off to get privacy from there parents they probably could still get away without the parents finding out where they were especially if they were far enough away that it took the parents time to respond to the message saying the kid was missing, or if the child left in a car, or you could just have a bratty child who constantly takes it off to cause the parents problems

Kogal report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

@Pete

Jan 12, 2009 21:50     

What I meant was, how strong is the signal the watch puts out? If it is used to locate the child wearing it, and some pedophile with a little tech savvy grabs hem up, is it a matter of wrapping one of those shoplifting bags with aluminum foil or whatever the heck they use in them to stop the signal dead? I didn't realize my post was humorous to pete, don't quite understand the hammer thing.
Ronald Stepp report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Car

Jan 12, 2009 23:03     

If you hid this some where hard to find are in your car would be cool and not too expensive
someone report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

First impression

Jan 13, 2009 07:36     

My first impression is that the graphic on the watch needs to be replaceable. I'm sure a kid would be much more likely to wear it if they had an image of their favorite cartoon character and not a teletubbie looking thing. Also, I am concerned about the signal that might be broadcast. Could a creepy person be sitting in a park tracking these devices on their laptop looking for kids whose parents let them wander thinking they are safe. Three dots on the radar could mean three kids in the area who may have parents not paying attention. Finally, cell phone companies should make these type devices in their annoying push to talk methods. Most all have GPS anyway. Wouldn't it be that much cooler if the kid could push a button on the side of his watch and talk to his mother and vice versa?

Nick B. report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -1

Re: First impression

Jan 13, 2009 09:11     

The signal broadcast is the same as any other cellular phone. Anybody able to track these things would also get every other cellular phone in the area. Talking on a phone is very power intensive compared to texting. SMS is basically a very short (~160 bytes) burst of data. Voice is around 8000 bytes per second. That means that a text message can be transmitted in around 1/50th of a second. Plus, from my limited understanding of how SMS works, text messages use a signalling channel that cellphones use to keep in touch with the tower, so it's part of normal standby operation.

JC report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

lost kids

Apr 08, 2009 14:57     

Some of your comments are silly, they have obviously never lost a kid in a mall. It is scary and this looks like apretty good solution. Not all kids mean to be lost. I have a Down Syndrome grandson I can't take to a Mall or theme park. I've lost him several times. He just doesn't want to be watched all the time.
Elaine Webb report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

advice appreciated. [Elaine, they make devices whi...

Apr 08, 2009 14:58     

advice appreciated. [Elaine, they make devices which emit radio frequencies in close proximity which keep an active connection between the two sources (child and parent, for example). When the range is exceeded and the signal breaks down, the device can begin beeping, allowing an audible cue as to the child's location. You may want to research devices like this, and see if you can't find something that will work. These devices are not always cheap, but they can provide you with the tools necessary to keep track of somebody. -Rick]

Elaine Webb report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Request info

Apr 25, 2009 16:30     

i am interested in youre product, can you send me all thae infomation, how it works, and the price. Thanks
Carlo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0