Personal property detector helps you find your lost goodies

13 February 2002 News

A French company, Dipo S.A., has devised a gadget that can help forgetful people to find their lost property. The personal object-loss-detector called 'Dipo', (derived from its name in French), is a personal detector that can detect electronic chips, or tags, inserted in mobile phones, keys, credit cards or any other personal object, within a perimeter of three to five metres.

The Dipo consists of two elements, the detector and tiny battery-powered radio-signal-emitting tags. The detector emits an alarm signal when one of the tags strays out of range. The manufacturer says that the central unit detector itself can be incorporated in existing devices, such as mobile phones or watches. Tags can also be incorporated in an object to be protected, such as a bankcard, keys, or wallet, or can be fixed to objects requiring temporary protection. Users can activate or deactivate tags from the central unit, depending on the objects they want to protect. The transmitter then periodocally checks that the activated tags are still within a defined area. The detector reacts with an audible, visual or vibrating alarm, or can launch an action when the tag leaves the area.

In its mass-market version, the Dipo is enclosed in a small 80 g portable case. In detect mode, Dipo can find one's passport or any other selected tagged object in the clutter of one's house, even months after it has been missing. To prevent fraudulent use, Dipo could even be used to turn off a lost cellphone.

Dipo S.A. hopes to enter into partnership agreements in areas where applications could acquire a "Dipo Inside" label, and is currently developing for the fields of luxury goods, tools, medical applications and watchmaking.

Dipo S.A. is seeking industrial partners and distributors.

For further information see www.dipo.fr

Further reading:

From the editor's desk: Pricing surge reshapes engineering reality
Technews Publishing News
The recent and continuing surge in memory prices has become more than a supply-chain story confined to global semiconductor markets. We have watched in disbelief as the ASP of memory has risen by over ...

Read more...

---

Siemens democratises EDA software access
News
This collaboration will provide streamlined access to advanced electronic design automation software for European semiconductor innovation.

Read more...

---

Components distribution: A promising trend
News
The European electronic components market returned to solid growth in Q1, gaining 16,9%, with broad, but uneven, momentum across the region.

Read more...

---

New appointment for Links Field team
Links Field Networks News
Links Field Networks is excited to welcome Jarrod Hutton to the company as a technical sales representative, bringing a powerful combination of technical expertise, creativity, and a genuine passion for innovation.

Read more...

---

Solar skills empower Alexandra youth
News
To support developing renewable energy skills, Yellow Door Energy launched YDE Lumen30, a programme that trained 30 young people from Alexandra township in Johannesburg.

Read more...

---

Advancing hydrogen mobility in South Africa
News
The hydrogen refueller was developed using South African engineering expertise and complies with 42 international and local standards.

Read more...

---

RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.

Read more...

---

Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.

Read more...

---

RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.

Read more...

---

Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.

Read more...

---