Design and Implementation of a Smart Tracking System for People, Pets, and Assets Using LoRa and GPS

Abstract

The growing demand for efficient tracking of personal belongings, pets, individuals, and vehicles across both indoor and outdoor environments has led to the advancement of smart, IoT-enabled monitoring systems. This paper presents a dual-mode real-time tracking solution that integrates embedded hardware with wireless and cloud-based technologies to ensure reliable location monitoring. The system consists of three specialized trackers: an Indoor Object Tracker, a Dual-Mode Personal Tracker, and a Vehicle GPS Tracker—each designed for different proximity and mobility use cases. ESP8266 microcontrollers paired with LoRa (RA-02) modules enable low-power, short-range communication, while GPS modules provide long-range positioning. A central receiver built using an ESP32 features a buzzer and LCD display for local feedback when the object is nearby. When the target moves beyond the defined range, GPS data is transmitted to the Blynk IoT platform via Wi-Fi. Within the Blynk app, users can manually select which tracker to locate, providing flexible control over the system’s operation. The vehicle tracker operates independently, directly sending live GPS coordinates to the app, enhancing surveillance and anti-theft functionality. With its modular architecture, user interactivity, and seamless switching between tracking modes, the system offers a scalable, cost-effective, and practical solution for real-time location tracking in applications such as smart homes, personal safety, logistics, and intelligent transportation.

Introduction

Overview:
The paper introduces a smart, cost-effective, and hybrid IoT-based tracking system aimed at resolving the common problem of lost or misplaced objects, pets, and vehicles. It addresses the limitations of traditional GPS and cellular-based systems, especially in indoor or remote areas, by integrating LoRa (Long Range) technology, GPS, and the Blynk IoT platform.

Key Components and Features:

1. Hybrid Tracking System
   The system includes three types of trackers:

   • Indoor Object Tracker (LoRa-only)

   • Dual-Mode Personal Tracker (LoRa + GPS)

   • Vehicle Tracker (GPS-only via Wi-Fi)

2. Receiver Unit
   Central hub using an ESP32, LCD display, buzzer, and rocker switch to receive signals, alert users, and display tracking info.

3. Communication Architecture

   • LoRa: Used for long-range, low-power communication (especially indoors).

   • Wi-Fi + Blynk Cloud: Used for GPS data transmission and remote tracking via a mobile app.

   • Data Prioritization: Automatically chooses between LoRa or Wi-Fi based on signal availability.

System Operation:

• The user selects a tracking mode (object, human, vehicle) using the Blynk app.

• The system initializes the correct tracker and begins data transmission.

• If within LoRa range, the receiver provides visual and audible feedback.

• If out of range, users are directed to the Blynk app for GPS-based tracking using real-time Google Maps links and email alerts.

Hardware Used:

• ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers

• RA-02 LoRa module (SX1278)

• NEO-6M GPS module

• 16x2 LCD display, buzzer, battery, and supporting components

Performance Results:

• LoRa: Effective indoors up to ~20 meters, and outdoors up to 50 meters.

• GPS: Achieved <±3m accuracy in outdoor open-sky tests.

• User Interface: LCD shows real-time object/human/vehicle status. Blynk app offers remote monitoring and automated alerts.

Strengths and Innovations:

• Multi-environment adaptability (indoor and outdoor)

• Low-cost and energy-efficient design

• User-friendly interface with real-time alerts

• Dual communication channels for redundancy and reliability

• RSSI-based proximity estimation for LoRa signals

Conclusion

This project successfully delivers a low-cost, efficient, and scalable real-time tracking solution tailored for people, pets, objects, and vehicles. By utilizing a hybrid communication architecture—combining LoRa for short-range communication and GPS for long-range tracking—the system intelligently adapts to proximity conditions to ensure reliable performance both indoors and outdoors. The receiver unit accurately differentiates between object, human, and vehicle signals using predefined device IDs and displays real-time feedback through an LCD interface and buzzer alerts. In indoor scenarios, LoRa signal strength is used to estimate distance via RSSI values, while in outdoor conditions, GPS coordinates are transmitted to the Blynk cloud and visualized through the mobile app. The seamless integration with the Blynk platform also enables automated notifications via email, enhancing usability. Experimental results confirm that LoRa is ideal for close-range, low-power communication, while GPS offers stable and precise positioning in open environments. Future enhancements may include integrating Wi-Fi-based location tracking to improve indoor accuracy where LoRa performance is limited by walls and interference. Incorporating low-power wake-up modules or energy-harvesting mechanisms could extend battery life in portable trackers. Adding a mobile app with built-in controls, real-time alerts, and a geofencing feature could significantly improve the user experience. Expanding the system to support multi-device tracking and AI-driven analytics for movement prediction or anomaly detection would further increase its potential in security, logistics, and personal safety applications.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Nishi Shahnaj Haider, Afshan Hameed, Saptaparni Dey, Shashank Shreshtha, Vanisha Sahay. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.