Walabot is a sensor that looks into objects using radio frequency signals.
It comes in three versions, Starter Kit, Maker, and Pro ($150, $300, and $600 respectively). It seems that the company doesn’t quite know what to do with it yet, they are reaching out to the robotic and maker community for ideas and apps. TSCM certainly seems like a practical use, but it will require someone to develop the software.
The boards use multiple antennas that transmit and receive microwave signals then reconstruct a three dimensional “image” of the environment. The Starter Kit board has only 3 antennas, Maker version has 15, and the Pro board has 18 antennas.
Walabot Pro version with case
The Walabot “sees” behind walls but the only smartphone app available at this time just gives you a vague idea of whether there is a pipe or stud on the other side. They are looking for developers to come up with new apps.
Walabot’s website is here: walabot.com
Their tech specs for the Pro version describe it here:
Walabot senses the environment by transmitting, receiving and recording signals from multiple antennas. The broadband recordings from multiple transmit-receive antenna pairs are analyzed to reconstruct a three dimensional image of the environment. Analysis of sequences of images allows detecting changes in the environment. Walabot is capable of short-range imaging into dielectric environments, such as drywall and concrete.
This opens the possibility to use Walabot for numerous use-cases:
- In-room Imaging
- In-wall imaging
- Object detection, location and tracking
- Change detection
- Speed measurement
- Motion sensing, such as breathing detection
- Sensing of dielectric properties of materials
Three-dimensional radio-frequency based sensor
- Uses an array of linearly polarized broadband antennas
- Frequency range:
- 3.3-10.3 GHz (US/FCC model)
- 6.3-8.3 GHz (EU/CE model)
- Based on VYYR2401 A3 System-on-Chip for signal production and recording
- Cypress FX3 controller for USB communication and data pre-processing
- Walabot interface connectors:
- Micro-USB 2.0 for high-rate data communication. Option to provide supply from USB.
- Single supply voltage 4.5-5.5v input for non-USB power applications
Download full specs pdf here. The api website is here: api.walabot.com
A pretty thorough review from M. J. Lorton is here:
Another review from TekThing is here (the first 7 minutes):
It still needs some development, but at this kind of price point, and with the proper software, it could possibly become a useful TSCM tool.