Arboretum iBeacon Tag
Solar powered iBeacons for Georgia Tech's Arboertum
The Georgia Institute is home to a Level 2 arboretum (over 100 different species of trees) in order to help viewers navigate the campus to visit these trees we fabricated a series of custom tag for each tree. In addition to presenting information about that tree each tag is equipped with a solar powered iBeacon. This beacon broadcasts a signal allowing a companion app to direct users to specific trees and provide them information about that tree on their mobile device.
Prototype Development
(Top Left)Paper prototype of circuit board layout for scale, (Top Right ) Material testing for Tag, (Bottom Left) Prototype for testing solar panel position on tag, (Bottom Right) Custom programming device for HM-11 iBeacon (milled circuit board, pogo pins, laser cut acrylic, hardware)
Short Run Production
Hot glue was used to pot the electronics to protect them from weather and tampering. It was chosen because it is non conductive, adheres to polycarbonate (PC), and can build upon itself, reducing the amount needed to cover the super capacitors. The shape of the hot glue over the super capacitors was achieved through the use of a silicone mold. The positive of the mold was 3D printed.
(Top Left) Assembly layout for solar iBeacons to produce a run of 100+ units, (Top Right ) Assembled solar iBeacons getting their first charge, (Bottom Left) hot glue potting over the super capacitors, (Bottom Right) The finished Solar iBeacons were installed throughout the Georgia Tech Campus attached to the custom fabricated tree tags.