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4 months ago
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Nigerian engineer Oluwatobi “Tobi” Oyinlola, based at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is earning global recognition after developing a GPS tracking device smaller than a human thumbprint, a feat that sets a new Guinness World Record.
The device, measuring just 22.93 mm by 11.92 mm, is officially certified by Guinness World Records as the smallest GPS tracking device prototype in the world. Designed and built in Cambridge, Massachusetts, it integrates a custom-printed circuit board, an embedded microcontroller, and Bluetooth capabilities, enabling it to receive GPS signals, log location data, and transmit it via Bluetooth – all without the need for an external antenna.
“This project started as a personal challenge,” Oyinlola says. “My goal was to create a compact GPS device that integrates everything into one unit – microcontroller, Bluetooth, and antenna – without external components.”
According to the MIT-based researcher, the innovation holds potential for applications across wearables, medical microchips, wildlife monitoring, and personal safety devices, offering a pathway to new use cases where minimal form factor and high functionality are critical.
According to the MIT-based researcher, the innovation holds potential for applications across wearables, medical microchips, wildlife monitoring, and personal safety devices, offering a pathway to new use cases where minimal form factor and high functionality are critical.
“Imagine tracking wildlife with a tag nearly invisible to the animal, or embedding GPS functionality into medical implants,” Oyinlola explains.
The prototype’s size was independently verified by two engineers and one architect, meeting Guinness World Records’ stringent validation criteria. The certification was issued on 27 April 2025.
Oyinlola, originally from Nigeria, attributes his journey into technology to an early spark during his teenage years. He recalls how his secondary school’s first computer lab, donated by alumnus and now Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, ignited his passion for computing and engineering.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joins in the global recognition of the milestone, commending Oyinlola on social media for demonstrating that “Nigerian youth can” excel on the world stage.
“From the moment I booted it up, I was captivated,” he says. “That moment shaped my love for STEM.”
The GPS prototype stems from his broader interest in solving limitations in existing GPS technologies, especially for ultra-small applications. He believes that as devices shrink and smart technologies evolve, innovations like his will become increasingly essential.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu joins in the global recognition of the milestone, commending Oyinlola on social media for demonstrating that “Nigerian youth can” excel on the world stage.
The achievement adds to Oyinlola’s growing portfolio of innovations. He has previously pioneered pay-as-you-go solar energy systems in Nigeria, contributed to smart city and clean energy projects in Rwanda, and developed solar-powered workstations, earning him placements on the Most Influential Young Nigerians list in both 2018 and 2019.
Reflecting on the honour, he says, “Honestly, it feels incredible and a bit surreal. I’m deeply honoured to have my work recognised by Guinness World Records. It’s something you dream about as a kid.”
“This milestone is just the beginning. I plan to carry this momentum forward — researching, learning, and building solutions to global problems,” he adds.
Oyinlola expresses hope that his record-breaking innovation will not only fuel further breakthroughs in his own work but also inspire young Nigerians and global STEM talents to explore bold ideas and push technological boundaries.
