Comment tweak to spec that addresses some of the concerns? (Score 1) 95
A 1 dimensional system solves a lot of problems that the proposed 3 dimensional system has: Instead of sending the exact location of each node, it broadcasts a much simpler on-demand beacon with distance determined by multi-path resistant RSSI. 2.4ghz would be used. beacon and beacon/inquisitor modes. 8 node id types (car, bike, pedestrian, hazard, emergency vehicle emergency/non(even more important because people forget to set emergency mode but nearby car AI sees it moving fast and concludes it is an emergency), etc.). 4 bit random locally unique id.
1. tamper resistance. this is a backup to conventional cameras/radar. As a result, it is not mission critical, is optional and there is little incentive to spoof it. It helps in camera blind spots areas that spoofing is least valuable, rapidly disprove (just wait a few second to see it is false and then ignore) and the car would be going slower anyways (second car ahead, oblique side, etc.). Also more jam resistant since adaptive and no GPS required.
2. Accuracy. in simulation, even with simple RSSI distance, there is an interesting effect where camera view verifies most beacons and therefore obstructed beacons get sharper in location since there are only so many blind spots at at each distance.
2. privacy. The id is only locally unique and beyond each encounter does not uniquely identify the node.
3. cost. No GPS required. the node uses common 2.4ghz transceiver tech. modified wi-fi like ESP-now? these frequencies are underutilized in the streets according to rf maps. Urban range is less than a mile.
4. battery life. in beacon mode, the battery life would be years. node is very small, cheap and long battery life, encouraging more people to use it. in vehicles, it might added merely by applying a software update, no new hardware required.
5. Adaptive. inquisitor mode can temporarily increase beacon response rate or go quiet in areas of good visibility. beacons automatically switch channels as needed for congestion. beacons only transmit when prompted by any inquisitor packet and then only to max rate and duration.
Manufacturer liability for this product should be less because it's not designed to be the primary locator system. It is a backup system.
This is like wearing reflective clothing. you still have to be looking for pedestrians, etc. but this makes it easier to see them.
Combine with normal internet sharing of road hazards. Location of weird beacons (someone threw a pedestrian beacon onto the freeway), etc.
Other applications: turn on AC as you walk towards car. garage door. Forest service station location. etc.
extended protocol supports short messages/URLs to be broadcast with beacon or given by request.
Suggested product name: nearSense