Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM in Berlin are using radar beams and passive tags to create a network of moving objects within an indoor setting.

The radar beam technology, developed under Fraunhofer’s OmniConnect project, reportedly detects the location of tagged moving objects within an indoor space. The tagged items are all connected and exchange data with one another, thereby creating a network of objects that can be tracked via radar.

Up to nine send/receive modules like these are integrated into the lamp structure. In this arrangement, they cover the entire room. Source: Fraunhofer

To accomplish this, researchers used what they call a secondary radar. While a traditional radar is capable of detecting objects and their movements, a secondary radar reportedly goes further, offering information about an object’s position and movements within a room as well as information about the object itself. Reportedly, radar beams are both sent and received via a hemispherical element, likely located on a ceiling at the center of room and featuring as many as nine send and receive modules that can cover an entire room.

The research team is eyeing the radar beams and passive tag network for the healthcare sector to potentially monitor the locations of aging populations with dementia or with a high risk of falling. According to developers, the tags, which are roughly 5 cm x 1 cm, could be sewn into fabric, revealing the whereabouts of the wearer to those monitoring the high risk person via a connected OmniConnect system.

A prototype of the system for the healthcare sector is expected to be ready later in 2021.