# WiFi/Bluetooth Distance Detection

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394>\
**Category:** Wireless & IoT\
**Created:** [September 3, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394 "2016-09-03T22:28:33Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![mtochs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@mtochs](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/mtochs)\
**Post date:** [September 3, 2016, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394/1 "2016-09-03T22:28:33Z")

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Hi, what would be the best way to determine distance of a wifi or bluetooth enabled device with RPi’s? Have 3 RPi’s. Just trying to figure out the best method.

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**Author:** ![darrellg](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/darrellg/32/3334_2.png) [@darrellg](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/darrellg)\
**Post date:** [September 5, 2016, 4:46pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394/2 "2016-09-05T16:46:31Z")

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A tape measure. If you are hoping to use WiFi or Bluetooth to determine the distance, you are going to be disappointed.

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**Author:** ![nickosinski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/8edcca/32.png) [@nickosinski](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/nickosinski)\
**Post date:** [November 19, 2016, 11:41am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394/3 "2016-11-19T11:41:19Z")

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Hey mtochs,

I had done a bunch of reading on this subject and yeah… the previous reply is likely correct… it’s just not realistic to use wifi or bluetooth. Lately, I’ve been exploring the idea of computer vision with a solution like the Pixy cam… have you made any progress in your hunt?

I’m not far enough along in my ROVer project just yet (links below), but I was thinking of using something like the Pixy cam to mark key points within my place for ROVer to recognize … such as doorways, windows, etc, using “barcode” stickers or something like that. It can apparently measure the size of such “stickers” and then determine his distance to/from.

Let me know if you’ve come across any other possible solutions - very interested in this subject as well.

Cheers,

Nick.

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**Author:** ![jremington](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/jremington/32/6595_2.png) [@jremington](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/jremington)\
**Post date:** [November 20, 2016, 7:32pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/wifi-bluetooth-distance-detection/33394/4 "2016-11-20T19:32:51Z")

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Except for radar, radio, in general, is not useful for determining distance.

For up to 40 meters, the Lidar Lite offers excellent non-contact performance. [https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14032](https://www.sparkfun.com/products/14032)