Proximity Detection Based Low-Cost and Handheld IoT Device for Tracking Lost Objects

This paper presents a novel device leveraging the ESP32 micro controller to determine the proximity of a Wi-Fi signal source such as a smartphone hotspot or Wi-Fi router based on the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values. The device connects to a smartphone hotspot, monitors RSSI values, and provides audio feedback proportional to the distance from the signal source. The proposed implementation can be employed as a low-cost handheld device for locating a misplaced Wi-Fi enabled smart device and also as a proximity tracker for items like bags. This paper discusses the design, implementation and potential applications of the proposed system.