How-To: Embed a wifi detector into a backpack strap

Posted Sep 13th 2005 3:03AM by Fabienne Serriere

We've posted our How-To of the week over at Engadget.com. Take a peep at our cool little mod for embedding a wifi sniffer into a backpack strap or messenger bag strap. Haven't you always wanted to have squishy switches and LED's built into your bag? Well, now you can! The How-To even has spiffy Flickr photos for your viewing pleasure.

If you make a cool version of this hack, please let us know. We're sure you'll come up with all sorts of ways to make this mod better: super bright LED's, luminescent wire, fibre optics, etc. Take this How-To and run with it yo�

Reader Comments

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1. That's kinda neat. Personally, I think he did a bit of a sloppy job with fitting in the actual LED/plexi lights, but overall, not bad. All we need now is a way to modify them in a hat/sunglasses combo, so you can always see the signal strength. Hmm....I have an old hap and pair of sunglasses...just need to get me a wifi sniffer.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by bouv

2. bouv: i'm a she, not a he, and yes the plexi does leave a tad to be desired i do admit. i'm missing my dremel *sad*. cheers, f

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by fabienne

3. Yeah, I guess that nail polish should have given it away...(though there are some guys who do wear it...) And no dremel makes everyone a sad panda :(

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by bouv

4. how exactly does that switch work? if its aluminum foil, isn't it always on? im confused there. how does touching the foil together make it work when its already connected through the foil?

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by kolwon

5. I think I'm in love. <3 fabienne. This is insanely awesome.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by windwaker

6. Kolwon, the aluminum is seperated by squishy foam, that after it is compressed, expands back to it's original size and shape, thus breaking the connection. Now, the only addition would be to use duct tape to encase the device prior to sewing it into bag. Just make sure only theedges of the first tape layer have stickyness on it, much like one of those vacuum sealed bags.then the following layers can be added as normal. So take the first layer, cut a second layer like .2 inches smaller on all sides, and place in the middle of first layer. Now place device in the middle of the first layer, like a bag. Instant Ducktapy waterproofing goodness.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by cde

7. Yeahp, I'm going to steal this idea! Thinki I may attempt to make it velcroable on and off so I can move it beween my courier bag and my day sack. Looks like its time to brush up on my 1337 sewing skills! great idea though, as long as I don't try and use it while riding my bike, or its just going to get messy!

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by burtman

8. Has anyone noticed that sewing is becoming more and more a hacker skill than a sign of femininity?

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Darkpenguin

9. oh was so gonna do something like this, now they did it for me. so maybe i will still do it. i dunno. anywho, good how-to :)

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by fucter

10. i guess the hurricane victims don't deserve anymore help.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by cajun

11. nice fabienne! your homebrew squishy switches are killer. they make any embedded/wearable project 10% better.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by jason striegel

12. 1) Nice nail polish :D 2) I bet sanding those indicators would have done wonders... but I wouldn't know. 3) I really ought to get me some 1337 sewing ski11z.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by joshua holbrook

13. I recommend getting rid of the original LEDs, and either replacing them with EL patches (I'm sure different colours are available) or with much larger LEDs. Frosted perspex will give a better 'glow' for the LEDs in all directions, as it diffuses the light more (though it will appear 'dimmer' than clear plexy head-on). The foam switch is really nice though! much easier than trying to embed a capacitive/resistive touch panel.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by EdZ

14. Nice. But as a UK reader I'd avoid using this highly suspicious backpack in public places (like on the tube or bus) - you'll be likely to get lynched or shot!

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by barto

15. How much power does the sniffer draw? Would it be feasable to leave it on all day hooked up to some bigger batteries instead of just momentary? What about solar powered (e.g. http://www.voltaicsystems.com/)?

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Sean

16. I don't know how you could rig up bigger batteries while maintaining the same IV characteristics, although some network consisting of a few different voltage batts ought to be able to do it, in a manner similar to the ipod external battery hack from before.

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by shidobu

17. Hmm. Next step is a wifi detector built into a cheap watch. You'd need to be able to solder SMD parts but most watches have a lot of space on the back plate (if plastic) that can be utilised. I want to try one of those OLED "polymer" screens for this, it would be 1337 :) bargraph AND multiple colours as well as potential for text and graphics, estimated current draw way down there in the milliamps. -A

Posted at 3:37PM on Sep 3rd 2006 by Andre

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