DIY Proximity-Sensing Pocket Squares

For fun and more serious purposes, this proximity-sensing pocket square system uses XBee radio transceivers and Lilypad Arduino boards to detect matching transceivers in the local area and report the number of them using LEDs sewn into the pocket squares. See them in action below:

Although this may seem like a simple amusement, the design and technology behind them is very interesting. Using the XBee's ability to measure the signal strength of an incoming packet of data from other XBees, it can determine the rough proximity of the other XBee to itself. The system isn't totally accurate due to signal interference from obstructions, but it does work. For an excellent description and demonstraiton, visit the project page here. And for more news, updates and items of interest, please follow us on twitter, Facebook and Google+.

To recreate your own wearable electronics, check out our range of Arduino Lilypad hardware: