Satellite pinpoints lost children

A device has been invented to help parents find their children if they wander off while out shopping.

The product, called Trac, uses satellite technology to pinpoint where the child is within a 150 metre radius.

Karen Balbi, 21, of Saffron Walden, Essex, says the device she has designed could prove a cheap way to reunite parents with their lost child quickly.

It consists of a transmitter that fits on to a child's belt buckle and a receiver for the parent.

If the youngster wanders off the location of the transmitter can be tracked through the use of its built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) technology.

Easing stress

The information is then sent by radio waves to the receiver which has a built-in screen with arrows to show the direction of the child.

The Brunel University design graduate hopes to attract the interest of a company to manufacture the product, which she believes would sell for less than £100.

"For our final year project we had to go away and think of a problem that needed solving," Miss Balbi said.

"As a child I always wandered off and got lost in shops and I know it caused a lot of stress to my parents.

"While I was talking to them I thought it would be a good idea to help parents in the same situation now."