Parcel Sensor Knows When Your Delivery Has Been Dropped 145
First time accepted submitter Hamsterdan writes "If you're tired of finding that your stuff has been smashed during shipping after opening your package, this device is for you. 'Called DropTag, the gadget combines a battery, a low-energy Bluetooth transmitter, an accelerometer and a memory chip. Stuck on a parcel as it leaves an e-commerce warehouse, it logs any g-forces above a set risky shock level that it experiences. The idea is that when the courier puts it in your hands, you turn on Bluetooth on a smartphone running a DropTag app and scan it before you sign for it.'"
Re:Existing non-electronic variant (Score:4, Funny)
Ugh. Though I gave myself a funny image of a UPS man mauling a shock sticker.
Re:And for people who... (Score:4, Funny)
ShockWatch (Score:5, Funny)
Oh, kind of like the ShockWatch labels [shockwatch.com.au] we used all the time on shipments then?
Re:Existing non-electronic variant (Score:5, Funny)
Or how about a label that just says "Yes, this packaged was dropped" applied to every package prior to delivery?
Based on my experience, that would have near-perfect accuracy. Also it's cheaper than an electronic solution.
Does this mean that Schrödinger... (Score:5, Funny)
...can finally know if he should sign for that mail-order cat?
Re:Existing non-electronic variant (Score:5, Funny)
this is actually how UPS, the shipping company got its name.
it was a phonetic spelling mistake: they meant to call the company "oops!".
(the more you know...)
Re:Existing non-electronic variant (Score:5, Funny)
Shockwatch labels that release sarin (or equivelent) gas when broken would incentivise good handling of the item.
Otherwise couriers will continue to smash the items up.
Video of Device (Score:5, Funny)
Highly informative video.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q6_9A90cUk
Re:Existing non-electronic variant (Score:2, Funny)
Shockwatch labels that release sarin (or equivelent) gas when broken would incentivise good handling of the item.
No need to kill anyone. Some thioacetone [corante.com] would work just as well.