MIT's EMF detector bracelet takes all the fun out of radiation poisoning

We've seen our fair share of EMF detectors and other tin foil hat apparel, but no endeavor is complete without the MIT stamp of approval. Cati Vaucelle's EMF sensor bracelet is designed to pick up on any potentially harmful electromagnetic fields, allowing you to dance around the veritable minefield of computers and cell phones in your workplace, unscathed by the -- maybe, maybe not -- lethal effects of radiation being emitted. Nevermind about looking like a freak -- better safe than sorry, right? The bracelet, sensitive up to 14-inches, features an integrated LED that's illuminated whenever an EMF field over 50kHz is detected. If you'd like to see this prototype in action, a video will be presented today at Ubicomp in Seoul, or save your air miles and see it here after the break.

[Via Make]

[)law( @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:20PM]

I would rather wear this and look like a fool rather then have green genitals like the hulk.......

[James Mack @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:28PM]

I wouldn't necessarily mind having green genitals. It's the prospect of having no genitalia at all in 30 years from now that scares me.

[kaimonkey @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:43PM]

will they be BIG green genitals ??

[alex @ Nov 24th 2008 4:06PM]

any schematic?
could you share the designs?

[fanthem @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:28PM]

Gordon Freeman could use one of these. In fact, that looks like part of his suit in the pic.

[ED @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:03PM]

Morphine administered.

[HunterXI @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:31PM]

Warning: hazardous radiation levels detected.

[BigD145 @ Sep 22nd 2008 10:08PM]

I think I just bathed in nuclear waste. Where's a health dispenser when you need one?

[allislost @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:31PM]

Am I the only one getting turned on by the girl's voice?

[HunterXI @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:16PM]

Definitely not. If only she was putting that lovely voice to work in... real science.

[Flashpoint @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:51PM]

Earth has been bathed in EM radiation since the beggining, day and night. From the Suns, to starlight to just the Earth's core spinning, EM is here to stay.

You will always be near an EM field if there is anything electric running or even if there's not.

I think of it like this...if certain people/species have to die while other people/species live on, evolution will be served.

[hungry @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:51PM]

i want a green vagina!

[)law( @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:58PM]

Quagmire would love you then i guess giggity giggity

[Jake Tobak @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:52PM]

What about all the wrist cancer you'll get from this!?
To be honest, I'm not that comfortable about having an LED that close to my body.

[Reader @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:05PM]

I can only hope you're not truly being honest. If you're afraid of an LED being near you, you better dig a few miles underground and live there to escape from the intense EMF exposure your body goes through everyday. Make sure to bring some limes though, the lack of EMF from the sun will eventually kill ya.

[hungry @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:52PM]

i want a green vagina!

[phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:21PM]

well, we all wish we could have our virginity back...

[Shane @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:58PM]

You do know that EMF does not cause radiation poisoning, right?

The largest risk from Non-Ionizing Electromagnetic Radiation is heating of tissue which in turn causes cell damage.

This risk will vary depending on frequency, power level and tissue density. In general it takes more exposure than most people casually receive to cause this sort of damage.

There is no conclusive research pointing to any other sort of risk with this type of exposure.

[george @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:02PM]

Thank you. I was like what the hell is he talking about 'radiation poisoning' for? Ya know, I get on engadget everyday to find out the news on electronics but please some of the writers facts are completely wacked out. Do you even have to have a GED to write for engadget?

[ClarkyAC @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:44AM]

The article is explaining that you can avoid radiation poisoning with this gadget which picks up radiation levels from items like mobile phones. Some people believe that mobile phones radiate to the brain, others say this is harmful, others dont. With this gadget it takes the fun out of radiation poisoning by, allowing you to avoid radiation ("pockets?")

[george @ Sep 22nd 2008 8:59PM]

what about if your in the x-ray field. Would this detect radation waves???

[ED @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:04PM]

Hmm, this would be useful when trying to fix up a derelict Ancient warship.

p.s. remember to initialise inertial dampeners before firing the engines.

[HunterXI @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:15PM]

You gotta love the scary ambience inserted into the audio. Honestly, there's nothing harmful about radio waves; it's totally non-ionizing radiation.

[phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:46PM]

that's what they want you to believe...

[Ford Mustang @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:23PM]

Seriously, are people really paranoid enough to wear one of these things? It reminds me of the mental patients who carried military gas masks to their offices in the months after 9/11 because they thought there would be another attack.

I'm going in my bomb shelter now!

[phanbouy @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:58PM]

Chevy Blazer called, he wants his sarcasmeter back.

[Jon @ Sep 22nd 2008 9:55PM]

Radiation poisoning from a magnetic field has never been proven to be true. Can't be reproduced in a lab :D

Big differences between ionizing radiation like beta and alpha, xray and gamma anyway and your humble magnetic field anyway. This isn't a radiation detector by any means engadget.

[EE @ Sep 23rd 2008 1:54AM]

A real geek would have a wrist mount spectrum analyzer. Also they couldn't spring for a $70 PCB and some surface mount components? They could shrink that board down to nothing.

[EE2 @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:01AM]

Hey EE... the point is to be low cost, not to be over 500$

[John Heylin @ Sep 23rd 2008 2:35PM]

But I like radiation poisoning. It lets me not wear a condom.

[Rick @ Sep 23rd 2008 7:20PM]

So these replace the red cigarettes then?