Aug.28, 2013
It is very convenient to take public transportation in big cities, but sometimes it is annoying and time consuming fishing through your purse for your transit card.
Two undergraduate students at MIT has created the 3D-printed "Sesame Ring" to replace Boston's transit card, the Charlie Card, after they became frustrated at constantly losing their passes at the bottom of their bags.
"Having missed the train many times while fishing for our Charlie Cards (smart cards used for public transportation in Massachusetts), we looked for a solution in wearable technology. After months of hard work, we created the 3D-printed Sesame Ring, supported by the MBTA," writes the duo. "Now, you can walk right up to the gantry, use scientifically approved magic, and scoot on through!"
The 3D printed ring is waterproof and contains an embedded RFID tag that you can simply tap against Charlie Card readers. It works like the Charlie Card as well, that you just load the ring with money and tap it to a RFID-based fare reader to get through. The technology was approved by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) - "MBTA officials have expressed their support of the project, and provided us with the materials and technology necessary to launch this Kickstarter." noted Edward Tiong, one of the project's creators.
"Given the success of the first beta run, our team was able to produce rings that can quickly and easily adopt the function of practically any smart card," reports the design team. "Ultimately, we want to bring our rings to the rest of the world."
The team is trying to fund the Sesame Ring on Kickstarter and has already raised more than $11,000 with 17 days left to go. The ring are available in customizable colors and sizes, but the first batch of $17 rings have already sold out. Interested backers can still pledge $20 for a ring with a signature Sesame Ring face or check other options to customize the face.
the workspace for prototyping the rings
The team has discovered a 3D printer that prints a silky smooth finish! / Images credit: Ring Theory
Posted in 3D Printing Applications
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hello! if I wanted to get custom made RFID tags with my design... where should I go?
Rosa wrote at 9/16/2013 4:37:22 PM:
WHERE CAN I get the rings at.
Student wrote at 9/1/2013 11:40:32 AM:
Correction: The rings were not developed by students of MIT but Singapore University of Teachnology and Design.
Pieter wrote at 8/29/2013 4:34:11 PM:
unfortunately a foto is required here in The Netherlands....
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