1.

PIR Sensor - Can detect movement within a large field of vision (ie.
usually 120 degrees or more). Might be the closest thing to a "human"
detector that I'm aware of; however, it requires movement and
localizing/triangulating where a person is would be very difficult
(impossible?) with such a large field of vision.
2. Ultrasound - Can detect objects with good precision. Has a much
narrower field of view; however, is unable to differentiate between a
static non-living object and a human.
3. IR detectors - (ie. Sharp range sensors) Can again detect objects
with great precision, very narrow field of view; however, it is again
unable to differentiate objects.
4. Webcam + OpenCV - Possibly use face detection to detect human(s)
in a room. This may be the best option; however, OpenCV is
computationally expensive and would require much more than an
arduino to run. Even on a Raspberry Pi, it can be slow.
5. Kinect - Using the feature detection capabilities of Kinect, it would be
relatively easy to identify humans in an area; however, the Kinect is too
expensive and I would not consider it a "cheap" solution.
New Technology Can Detect
Heartbeats in Rubble

Researchers performed a test of the Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency Response
(FINDER) prototype technology -- which can locate individuals buried in disasters -- at the Virginia
Task Force 1 Training Facility in Lorton, VA.
Credits: DHS/John Price
Full image and caption

When natural disasters or human-made catastrophes topple buildings, search and

rescue teams immediately set out to find victims trapped beneath the wreckage. During
these missions, time is imperative, and the ability to quickly detect living victims greatly
increases the chances of rescue and survival.

The Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology Directorate,

Washington, and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., have developed
a new radar-based technology named Finding Individuals for Disaster and Emergency
Response, or FINDER.

FINDER was created to detect a human heartbeat buried beneath 30 feet (9 meters) of
crushed material, hidden behind 20 feet (6 meters) of solid concrete, and from a
distance of 100 feet (30 meters) in open space.

In the past several months, DHS and JPL have tested and developed several FINDER
prototypes. In June, DHS and first responders used a prototype to conduct more than 65
test searches with two Urban Search and Rescue teams: the Virginia Task Force 1 at
the Fairfax County Fire Department training center, and the Virginia Task Force 2 in
Virginia Beach, Va.

"Testing proved successful in locating a task force member buried in 30 feet of mixed
concrete, rebar and gravel rubble from a distance of over 30 feet," said John Price, DHS
Science and Technology program manager. "This capability will complement the current
urban search and rescue tools such as canines, listening devices and video cameras to
detect the presence of living victims in rubble."

In disaster scenarios, like earthquakes and tornadoes, the debris from the disasters
causes the radar signals of FINDER to bounce back irregularly, making it difficult to
decipher the signals. "Isolating the relatively weak signal of a heartbeat within the noisy
signals becomes a difficult task," said Edward Chow, JPL program manager. "JPL's
radar expertise helps in this challenge."

JPL uses advanced data processing systems to pick out faint signals. The microwave
radar technology is sensitive enough to distinguish the unique signature of a human's
breathing pattern and heartbeat from that of other living creatures, such as rats. The
advantage of this technology is to allow first responders to quickly ascertain if a living
human is present in the debris. The technology is sensitive enough that victims, whether
conscious or not, can easily be detected, which helps responders decide the most
efficient course of action.

"It is anticipated that a commercialized technology could be ready for search and rescue
operations as early as spring 2014," Price said.

The earlier tests resulted in design changes that are being incorporated into a new
version of the device. These changes include a revised user interface, and increased
battery life of up to 14 hours. The mechanical and electronic design has evolved with
the core being a lightweight sensing module that uses a USB interface to integrate an
antenna, radar electronics and digital processing.

"This module is the key to future miniaturization and the use of FINDER sensing
technology in other applications," said James Lux, task manager for the FINDER project
at JPL. Those applications include installing FINDER on proposed search and rescue
robots, such as JPL's Urbie, on stretchers or ambulances to monitor a patient's
heartbeat, and in biology research to distinguish species.
The research partners continue developmental efforts to construct a final prototype
while using a wealth of practitioner input and recommendations following the test
searches. Future phases of development will focus on a more specific locator function,
which will help determine not only the presence of a victim, but more precisely where in
the rubble the victim is located.

The California Institute of Technology manages JPL for NASA.

PIR Motion Sensor Module [Original]

High sensitive passive infrared motion sensor with stable digital output.

Features/Specifications

Operating voltage: DC5V to 20V

Static power consumption: 65 microamps

level output: high-3.3V, low-0V

Delay Time: adjustable (0.3 seconds to 18 seconds)

Embargo time: 0.2 seconds

Trigger: L can not be repeated, H can be repeated, the default value of H

Sensing range: less than 120 degrees angle, 7 meters

Operating temperature: -15 ~ +70 degrees

PCB Dimensions: 32 * 24mm, the screw hole distance 28mm, screw diameter 2mm,
sensor lens size: (diameter): 23mm

Price (Inclusive of Taxes): Rs.253.00 Rs.225.00

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 Price: Rs.140.00
Availability: In Stock
Model: PIR-Standard
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DescriptionAdditional Images (0)Reviews (1)Related Products (0)

The PIR (Passive Infra-Red) Sensor is a pyroelectric device that detects motion by measuring
changes in the infrared (heat) levels emitted by surrounding objects. When motion is detected
the PIR Sensor outputs a high signal on its output pin. This logic signal can be read by a
microcontroller or used to drive an external load.

Features:

Detecting range : 360 degrees cone angle, 15-20 feet

Single bit output

Jumper selects single or continuous trigger output mode

3-pin SIP header

Small size makes it easy to conceal

Compatible with any microcontroller like Basic Stamp, Arduino, Atmega, PIC, 8051,
propeller

Key Specifications:

Communication: Single bit high/low output

Operating temperature: 32 to 122 F (0 to 50 C)

Operating voltage: DC 3.8V - 5V

Static power loss: 50 uA

 Delay time: 30 Secs (0.5~900 Secs is optional)

Blockade time : 0.5s-50s (acquiescently 0 seconds)

Dimensions: 1.27 x 0.96 x 1.0 in (32.2 x 24.3 x 25.4 mm)

Key Differences:

Jumper setting controls triggering and not distance

Driving an external load requires a transistor or MOSFET

Detection range up to 20 ft awa