Towards Infrastructureless Piezoelectricity-Powered IoT Room Occupancy Tracking

Abstract

In this research, we aim to use the underused power generation method of piezoelectricity and apply it to supply energy to other low-powered quality-of-life devices that are practical and helpful. Harnessing and harvesting the energy from piezoelectric material is done by aligning small piezo elements in a rectangular shape and incorporating them into an object commonly exposed to mechanical strain change. This research is about developing a doormat that will generate energy to charge a battery and keep it charged while it supplies power to a people sensor device. This project's function is to limit the number of people existing in a store or facility to minimize and stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The piezoelectric doormat will reduce phase errors, voltage drops across components and evenly distributes applied mechanical pressure among the piezoelectric elements in the doormat. The efficiency of this doormat will encourage users to put it to practical use in many different fields across different locations for various purposes. It will be easy to implement with other devices and systems and will have good mobility, supplying them with sufficient power and efficiency for extended periods, and will surely help the UAE become an even safer place during the world-spread pandemic.

Keywords: COVID-19; electric doormat; IoT people counter; low-powered; piezoelectric