Roke Develops World's First Miniature Self-Charging Tracking Device

Roke Develops World's First Miniature Self-Charging Tracking Device

ROMSEY, England, May 22, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --



Roke Manor Research Ltd (Roke), a Chemring Group company, has developed AGITATE, a
self-charging miniaturised device which generates a radio signal that can be tracked up to
an estimated 200 kilometres away.



AGITATE is currently the size of a five pence piece. A small dielectric is charged,
and when shaken the tag generates a radio signal that can be tracked through walls and up
to 20 kilometres in built-up areas, with an estimated range of 200 kilometres in free
space. AGITATE requires no battery as shaking it converts mechanical energy into radio
pulses, rather like a dynamo that uses mechanical energy to power bicycle lights.



Roke's research and design team anticipate that AGITATE could be produced for a few
pence per unit and would have a broad range of tracking applications. Potential uses might
include a low cost method of monitoring and regulating the use of lifejackets, with built
in man-overboard capability; remote sensing for flood monitoring and alerts; in the
industrial sector for remote sensing of motion and vibration fault detection in harsh
environments; in the retail sector as security tags on high-value goods or in the
healthcare sector for keeping track of patients, such as those suffering from dementia.



The research and development team has already completed UK trials across 26 kilometres
of variable terrain. Further Roke investment is focussed on reducing AGITATE's footprint
and increasing RF output power even further.



Peter Lockhart, Future Technology Manager for Roke, said: "As with many of the best
inventions, AGITATE was developed by accident. But thanks to their highly inventive and
creative minds, they recognised a potential application and have brought that to fruition,
developing a simple yet highly usable technology."



About Roke http://www.roke.co.uk



Roke, based in Romsey, Hampshire, is the principal electronics research and
development centre of Chemring Group Plc. Founded in 1956, Roke is one of the UK's leading
suppliers of innovative solutions and contract R&D, pioneering developments in electronic
sensors, networks and communications technology. It employs 450 staff and has over 430
patents to its name.




Roke Manor Research Ltd

CONTACT: For further information please contact: Russell Hardy, Roke, +44(0)1794-833000, russell.hardy@roke.co.uk


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