The problem
In field work, noticing a missing tool only after leaving the site costs time and creates rework.
Tools that notice what was left behind
Trakr
A smart toolbox combining RFID/NFC identification, ESP32 and a Kotlin application to track physical items.
- Role
- Concept, integration and prototyping
- Period
- 2026 — present
- Status
- Public experiment
Context
The project explores how accessible hardware and a mobile interface can maintain a simple inventory without pretending the prototype already covers every real-world condition.
What was built
Trakr
- 01
A physical inventory concept tied to RFID/NFC tags.
- 02
An ESP32 integration base.
- 03
A Kotlin app representing and tracking item state.
Architecture in 60 seconds
Object → Reading → State → Interface
- 01
Object
Tool identified by a tag
- 02
Reading
RFID/NFC connected to ESP32
- 03
State
Inventory and set events
- 04
Interface
Kotlin app for lookup and alerts
Decisions and trade-offs
Simple hardware, clear hypothesis
Simple hardware, clear hypothesis
ESP32 keeps the experiment accessible and reproducible.
State before dashboard
The interface prioritizes knowing what is present or missing over decorative metrics.
Layered integration
Physical reading, state and presentation stay separate to make testing easier.
Verifiable result
- A product hypothesis turned into public implementation.
- Hardware, identification and interface integration represented in code.
- A base ready for physical tests and flow iteration.
Known limitations
- Reading reliability and interference need physical testing.
- The prototype is not an industrial product.
- Battery life, durability and offline use still require validation.