Title: Smart ID Card Finder
Authors: Lusungu E. Mkola,Michael K. Mwandumbya,Rahel Kinyunyu, Neema Kimaro, Kevine Paul, Nelson Mwanjala, Mwanahamisi Bakari, Kelvin Laizer
Volume: 10
Issue: 4
Pages: 120-127
Publication Date: 2026/04/28
Abstract:
The loss of student identification cards is a persistent and disruptive challenge at Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU), creating significant academic hurdles, financial burdens, and institutional security risks. Currently, RUCU utilizes passive identification cards that lack any internal power or signaling capabilities. When these cards are misplaced in high traffic areas such as the library, cafeteria, or student hostels, they become functionally invisible, forcing students to rely on time consuming manual searches or the goodwill of strangers. Furthermore, the traditional method of writing phone numbers on the back of cards to facilitate returns poses a severe threat to student data privacy. This project proposes the development of the Smart ID Finder, an innovative Internet of Things (IoT) solution designed to transform the traditional, static ID card into an active, trackable, and secure digital asset.The primary objective of this study is to design a miniaturized hardware module integrated with a mobile application to facilitate real-time tracking and recovery. The technical foundation of the project rests on the ESP32-C3 microcontroller, chosen for its ultra-low power consumption and built-in Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capabilities, which allow the card to maintain a slim form factor suitable for a student's wallet. The hardware will be paired with a cross-platform mobile application developed using the Flutter framework, providing a user-friendly interface for students to monitor their card's proximity. A critical feature of this system is the resolution of the Final Meter Problem the difficulty of finding an object that is nearby but out of sight through the integration of a small piezoelectric buzzer that can be triggered via the smartphone app to provide an audible alert. The project follows an Iterative Prototyping Methodology, allowing for continuous refinement of the hardware-software integration. Data management will be handled by Cloud Firestore, a NoSQL database that ensures real-time synchronization of Last Seen coordinates and device status. To address the ethical concerns of user privacy, the study introduces a Masked Communication system. By scanning a unique QR code on the back of the card a finder can notify the owner through z secure Firebase hosted web portal, enabling a safe return process without the need to exchange private contact information. Field testing will be conducted across the RUCU campus to evaluate the system's performance in environments with high signal interference, such as reinforced concrete buildings and crowded lecture halls. It is expected that the Smart ID Finder will drastically reduce the time spent recovering lost items and eliminate the replacement costs currently incurred by students. Beyond its immediate utility, this project demonstrates the practical application of IoT in solving localized institutional problems, contributing to the modernization of Ruaha Catholic University and providing a scalable model for smart campus initiatives across Tanzania. By merging hardware engineering with cloud computing and user-centric design, this study offers a robust, privacy-conscious solution to a long-standing campus problem.