Tiny, Waterproof AirBolt GPS Tracker Works with LTE-M and NB-IoT Cellular Networks (Crowdfunding)

We’ve previously covered small waterproof LTE Cat M1 and NB-IoT GPS trackers such as Mictrack MT825, but AirBolt GPS tracker offers another option and promises an even longer battery life of up to 12 months.

At 37 x 34 x 11mm, AirBolt GPS may also be the world’s smallest waterproof GPS tracker on the market, as well as the lightest at just 21 grams, both of which are characteristics that make the tracker especially suitable for pets like cats and dogs, as well as track luggage, keys, bicycles, etc…

AirBolt GPS tracker key features and specifications:

• SoC(s)
  • Unnamed, but considering Nordic Semi is listed as a partner it should be nRF9160 SiP with Arm Cortex-M33 MCU core, 1024 KB flash, 256 KB SRAM, NB-IoT, LTE Cat M1, and GPS connectivity
  • There’s also Bluetooth 5.1 so one of the nRF52 chips might also be included.
• Connectivity
  • Bluetooth 5.1 with long-range and direction-finding support
  • Cellular – Worldwide support via NB-IoT and LTE Cat M1 (aka eMTC or LTE-M)
  • GNSS – GPS
• Sensors – Accelerometer, temperature sensor
• Misc – Alert Button, LED, loud buzzer
• Battery – Up to 12 months of battery life; rechargeable via USB-C port
• Dimensions – 37 x 34 x 11 mm(ABS + anodised aluminum)
• Weight – 21 grams
• IP Rating – Not listed, but the tracker is said to be waterproof up to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes (IPX7)

The GPS tracker synchronizes with a mobile app for Android or iOS that enables live tracking and location history using Bluetooth for indoor location and GPS for outdoor location. You can also configure geo-fencing, separation alerts, water alarms (when the tracker drops in water), and push OTA updates to the AirBolt GPS trackers. If you’d rather be able to track devices from a computer, there’s a stretch goal that should be reached soon for a web dashboard. The tracker also works with the company’s AirBolt Lock smart travel lock launched 5 years ago.

AirBolt GPS global cellular tracker launched on Kickstarter a few days ago, and easily surpassed its $50,000 AUD goal (~$36,200 US) having raised close to $400,000 AUD. Everything is priced in Australian dollars, but I’ll carry on with US dollars prices going forward. Rewards start at $84 US for the Super Early board with one tracker, but packs of up to 10 trackers are also offered with the 10-pack reward going for $684 US. Shipping is not included in the price and around $7+ will be added once the perks are ready to ship in December 2020, if there aren’t any development and/or manufacturing delays.

The crowdfunding page does not have any information about the SIM card nor LTE IoT subscription, so we had to dig in the FAQ to find some more information:

Our plan starts from a mere $4.99USD per month per device which represents a 50% discount to our standard pricing, , and it’s just for our Kickstarter Backers!

…

The AirBolt GPS has a built in e-sim and manages the connection for you. There are very good reasons for this.

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You can use the AirBolt GPS within any part of the network – which is also expanding rapidly!

Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Croatia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Romania, Singapore, South Korea, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, UK, & of course USA as of today.

There already about 141 Countries with coverage in general and we aim to have most of these covered overtime as well

So that means you won’t be able to use your own SIM card and will have to keep using AirBolt network offering for cellular connectivity unless you only use short-range/indoor location with Bluetooth in which case it’s free forever.

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