The Grillo (Spanish for Cricket) box aims to provide a low-cost, earthquake warning system for citizens in some of Mexico's biggest cities including Mexico City.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
The Grillo (Spanish for Cricket) box aims to provide a low-cost, earthquake warning system for citizens in some of Mexico's biggest cities including Mexico City.
Courtesy Grillo
The device is the creation of inventor Andres Meira (pictured). It works by tapping into signals sent out by SASMEX, one of the most advanced seismic sensor systems in the world.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
The device is the creation of inventor Andres Meira (pictured). It works by tapping into signals sent out by SASMEX, one of the most advanced seismic sensor systems in the world.
Courtesy Grillo
Meira created the Grillo device after moving to Mexico City with his family. The Mexican capital is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity given its proximity to major fault lines on the country's Pacific Coast.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
Meira created the Grillo device after moving to Mexico City with his family. The Mexican capital is particularly vulnerable to seismic activity given its proximity to major fault lines on the country's Pacific Coast.
AFP/Getty Images
Mexico City has endured devastating earthquakes over the years. A particularly strong quake flattened parts of the city in September, 1985.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
Mexico City has endured devastating earthquakes over the years. A particularly strong quake flattened parts of the city in September, 1985.
IVAN MONTECINOS/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE
Upwards of 10,000 people were killed during the 1985 quake, while hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
Upwards of 10,000 people were killed during the 1985 quake, while hundreds of thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed.
R. RUIZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE
The 1985 shock prompted the Mexican government to invest in the SASMEX early warning system, but many people still don't receive warnings because there are not enough receivers to broadcast them.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
The 1985 shock prompted the Mexican government to invest in the SASMEX early warning system, but many people still don't receive warnings because there are not enough receivers to broadcast them.
JONATHAN UTZ/AFP/GETTY IMAGES/FILE
The Grillo box aims to change that and at $50 is less than one sixth of the price of current devices, which are mainly located in public buildings like schools and hospitals.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
The Grillo box aims to change that and at $50 is less than one sixth of the price of current devices, which are mainly located in public buildings like schools and hospitals.
Courtesy Grillo
The Grillo Active is Meira's next big idea for earthquake early warning systems. Rather than rely on data from SASMEX, it will pick up seismic movement itself and send alerts to smartphones and specially designed apps.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
The Grillo Active is Meira's next big idea for earthquake early warning systems. Rather than rely on data from SASMEX, it will pick up seismic movement itself and send alerts to smartphones and specially designed apps.
Courtesy Grillo
Meira expects between 500 and 1,000 Grillo Active boxes to be placed close to fault lines and areas of interest around Mexico. Because the devices are cheap and are easy to produce, he believes the technology could easily be transferred to other parts of the world.
'Cricket' earthquake alarm —
Meira expects between 500 and 1,000 Grillo Active boxes to be placed close to fault lines and areas of interest around Mexico. Because the devices are cheap and are easy to produce, he believes the technology could easily be transferred to other parts of the world.
Courtesy Grillo