Lost dog inspires matchbox-sized surveillance device
Partnership between a Swedish moose hunter and a UK technology company has led to the development of a matchbox-sized surveillance device that can transmit the location of any object to which it is attached with extreme accuracy. The idea was first conceived by Olaf Lundberg when he lost his dog whilst moose hunting. The dog had been wearing a traditional dog tracer, but the lack of accuracy meant that it took four days to locate him. The resulting gadget, named 'Followit', uses mobile phone text messages, satellite navigation technology, a geographic information system (GIS) and the Internet to reveal its location within three metres in 140 countries. Collaboration with UK company Tel Trak Technologies enabled the development of the idea. Mr Lundberg initially intended to sell the tracker to other hunters, and advertised it in Swedish magazines. It became clear that Followit was interesting to a wider audience when he found that it was being purchased by truck companies to monitor the movement of their drivers through Sweden. Buyers now include parents who wish to know where their children are, pet owners, private investigators, car hire firms, yacht owners and haulage companies. The incorporation of a panic button has also led to interest from people who work alone and risk being attacked. The company set up to promote and further develop Followit now has partners in ten countries.
Countries
Sweden, United Kingdom