Virtual Tags

Problem: Attach and retrieve data from physical objects in space, using a handheld device. The two main challenges are spatial resolution and mutual authentication between the object and passers-by.

We wish to attach spreadsheets, sound files, notes, and other information to objects in space. This is useful for biodiversity research, where we could attach data to plants without changing the environment. We can also imagine an urban application for emergency response, safety monitoring, or tourism.

While GPS places us roughly in space, its resolution is insufficient to attach data to a particular tree or doorknob. We will deploy a mixture of technologies to squeeze out the resolution we need. All these technologies will need to be implemented for some handheld device.