Featured 3D Printed Part

Do you worry that the information on your PC will be seen by snooping co-workers, siblings, or parents, or feel uncomfortable using your lap top in public places?  You can protect your privacy with the new patent-pending GateKeeper Chain that locks and unlocks your PC automatically using wireless Bluetooth 4.0 technology. The benefit: no lost work and no lost key.

How It Works

Just like a key to your house and a key to your car GK-Chain is the key to your computer. The GateKeeper key fob automatically logs you off of your PC when taken out of proximity to your computer. The GateKeeper tracks the location of the key using a proprietary signal strength algorithm that locks/unlocks your computer based on where you are.  The GK uses a modulating, encrypted connection to enable only a unique key to interface with the lock, and the password is encrypted and stored on the computer itself – so no one can steal it.

Most companies and institutions have an IT security policy that requires employees to never leave their computers unattended and logged in. The problem is that most people do not follow it; simply because we forget to. The Gatekeeper solves that. For office workers, accountants, lawyers, IT professionals, health care professionals, teachers, and basically anyone who works with a computer, the GK Chain provides an easy way of providing elementary privacy and security. Businesses will reap the benefits of additional security and also educate employees in basic computer security habits.

The People Behind This

The company behind the GateKeeper is CoolCAD Electronics LLC. CoolCAD was founded in 2006 as an off-shoot of the Semiconductor Simulation Laboratory at the University of Maryland, College Park, by Dr. Neil Goldsman and Dr. Akin Akturk. Dr. Siddharth Potbhare, who is leading the GateKeeper project, joined CoolCAD in 2008 as the Vice President of Engineering.

CoolCAD has worked with a host of government agencies and laboratories, among them the US Army, US Navy, DARPA, NASA, and NSF. For more information contact Siddharth Potbhare, Vice President Engineering and Senior Scientist.

CoolCAD used the Airwolf 3D XL printer used to design and make prototypes of the GK key fob that measures approximately 3cm x 4cm in size and is about 5 mm thick. Dr. Potbhare praised Airwolf for the speed and reliability of its XL printer and “awesome” customer service.  The company plans to continue using the Airwolf printer in the development of new products.

How To Get One

You can check out the Kickstarter campaign here:

GateKeeper: Protect your computer and your privacy

Airwolf 3D staff will surely be backing this project and picking up a few of these Gatekeepers!  We are opting for the “Extended 1 Propotype Now” because we want to receive an original 3D printed prototype part and begin using this ASAP.

CoolCAD Electronics is located at 5000 College Avenue, Suite 2103, College Park, MD 20740.  For more information contact siddharth.potbhare@coolcadelectronics.com; (301) 233-4993; www.gkchain.com.

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