Project Hub /Healthcare Biomedical & Assistive/Assistive & Prosthetic Tech/GPS Location-Based Alarm

Intermediate

ESP32

Project Specific

3 – 6 Hours

Partial Kit

GPS Location-Based Alarm

We have designed a GPS location-based alarm and alert system using an ESP board to notify users when they approach specific destinations.

Originally published on ElectronicsForU

View original tutorial

Parts You'll Need

This project is sourced from another site, not written by us — this list is our best match of their components against what we stock, not a verified bill of materials. Always check the original blog (linked above) for the actual parts list before buying.

ESP32 WiFi+Bluetooth CP2102 Development Board Rs. 520.00
Piezo Buzzer (Big) 6-12V Rs. 45.00
USB to UART/ESP8266 Adapter Programmer for ESP-01 WiFi Modules with CH340G Chip Rs. 99.00
400 Points Mini Solderless Prototype PCB Breadboard High Quality Rs. 89.00
MB102 Adjustable Breadboard Power Supply Module (3.3V & 5V) for Arduino & Raspberry Pi Rs. 139.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Male 20cm Rs. 45.00
Jumper Wire 10 Pin Male To Female 20cm Rs. 45.00

Selected: Rs. 0.00

We don't carry yet: Battery (generic / unspecified)
GPS Module
Enclosure / Box / Case
ESP board (ESP12

Browse all components

How It Works

The GPS Location-Based Alarm system is built around an ESP32 microcontroller that continuously processes geographical coordinate data to alert users when they arrive at a predefined destination. At the heart of the system is a GPS module, specifically the AIR 530, which communicates with a constellation of navigation satellites to calculate real-time latitude, longitude, and altitude data. The ESP32 board reads this incoming positional data, often utilizing the TinyGPS library within the Arduino development environment to parse the NMEA sentences sent from the GPS receiver. The microcontroller's firmware constantly compares these live coordinates against a set of target destination coordinates hardcoded or programmed into the system. As the user moves along their commute or journey, the distance between the current GPS position and the target location shrinks. Once the ESP32 calculates that the user has entered a specified radius or threshold distance from the target destination, it triggers an output signal. This output activates either a piezoelectric buzzer or a haptic vibration motor, depending on the chosen peripheral configuration, providing an immediate auditory or tactile warning. The entire portable assembly is powered by a 3.3V battery and housed neatly inside a custom 3D-printed enclosure, making it a compact, self-contained wearable or carry-along assistive device.

Why Build This

Develop a practical assistive technology prototype designed to help children, patients, or visually impaired individuals navigate daily commutes and recognize key transit stops or public parks.

Implement an automated location-reminder system that alerts users when approaching routine destinations such as grocery stores, pharmacies, or restaurants.

Gain hands-on engineering experience integrating wireless satellite positioning hardware with microcontroller firmware for real-world IoT and geo-fencing applications.

Real-World Application

Reminding users to stop at grocery stores, pharmacies, or restaurants along their commute, and serving as an assistive tool for children, patients, or visually impaired individuals to alert them when approaching key locations like bus stops or parks.

Skills You'll Learn

GPS data parsing

serial communication protocol handling

geo-fencing algorithm implementation

microcontroller digital output control

low-power battery system integration

Safety Precautions

No specific precautions noted for this build — always follow general electronics safety practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this GPS alarm work indoors or underground?

No, GPS modules require a clear line of sight to navigation satellites to lock onto a position, meaning indoor operation or dense subterranean areas will cause signal loss.

How do I program the target destination coordinates into the ESP32?

You will use the Arduino IDE to write the target latitude and longitude values directly into your firmware code before uploading it to the ESP32 DevKit v1 via USB.

Can I use a standard 5V USB power bank instead of a 3.3V battery?

While the ESP32 DevKit v1 can accept 5V via its USB port, you must ensure any direct battery connections match the 3.3V requirements of your specific power architecture to avoid damaging components.

Gallery

This page is part of Kitkraft's Project Hub — a curated collection of electronics & robotics projects gathered from the maker community to help students and hobbyists discover and learn to build. Kitkraft does not claim authorship of the original project, and makes no representation as to the accuracy, completeness or safety of third-party source material. The summary and "How It Works" explanation above are AI-generated, rewritten with reference to the original tutorial — not a reproduction of it. Full credit and a direct link to the original source are provided above. If you're the original creator and have a concern about how your work is represented here, please contact us and we'll address it promptly.

Kitkraft Project Hub — curated from the maker community, credited at the source.

PRJ-00653