A tech developer from Bengaluru has unveiled his latest invention, an AI-driven device designed to identify individuals smoking in public places. The device reacts by emitting the sound of a baby coughing combined with a grandmother admonishing the smoker. The creator shared details of this project on X, expressing his frustration with public smoking by stating, “I HATE people smoking around me in public. So I built a device that plays audio of a baby coughing and granny scolding in the local language whenever it detects someone smoking nearby.”

How the AI-Powered Smoking Detection System Works

The system utilizes real-time person detection technology to recognize smoking gestures and identify cigarettes in hand. According to the inventor, the prototype employs “yolov8 + mediapipe with some fine-tuning,” while Sarvam AI is responsible for handling the audio output. The entire setup operates on a Raspberry Pi, which the developer described as being “nothing fancy, but it works.”

Bus Stand Trial Shows Promising Early Results

During initial tests, the device was placed at a bus stand, where it prompted one individual who was smoking to extinguish his cigarette after sounding the warning audio. The developer noted that the man “looked around confused” but remained unaware of the device’s origins. The current prototype is an initial model, with the creator indicating plans to develop a more portable, 3D-printed version in the future.

Prototype Hardware and Detection in Action

The creator shared images of the Raspberry Pi hardware used, as well as detection outputs illustrating how the device identifies smokers and activates the audio alerts. These visuals provide insight into the operational capabilities of the device during testing.

Social Media Reacts to the Anti-Smoking Innovation

The invention has sparked a range of reactions on social media, particularly among users who express concern over smoking in communal areas. Some individuals have commented on the potential effectiveness of such a device for enforcement in designated non-smoking regions. One user suggested, “That could be a great implementation, at least in places that have signs indicating no smoking areas, and people still do.”

Debate Shifts to Designated Smoking Zones

While some responses have been supportive, others clarified that their concerns are less about smoking itself and more about the locations where it occurs. Another user remarked, “Now this is the actual thing that you have made. It really irritates me. I am not against them, but they should do it in proper designated smoking zones.”

Rise of DIY AI Tools for Social and Public Health Interventions

Many users highlighted the trend of independent developers leveraging accessible AI tools and affordable hardware to create practical behavioral interventions. This phenomenon has led to various projects that blend social commentary with public health advocacy and experimental technology.

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