Uploaded February 2018 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago

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docs.particle.io/tutorials/integrations/google-maps

Working from a Starbucks today I created a challenge for myself to code a way home with only a Particle Electron and its RGB LED. The Google Maps integration and a #haversine function was my planned logic, coupled with #gettingwarmer #gettingcolder cues. Because I'm only getting GPS coordinates of the nearest cell tower I'm connected to (which could be miles away) I decided that If I could get to any of the intersections that surround my neighborhood, I'd be "home". It worked!

What have you created with your Particle Electron?

Not shown in the video, I also had a blinking yellow LED to indicate that the GPS coords (or cell tower) was the same as the last update. The system updates every 30 seconds. If I was found to be at "home" it would stay blinking green, and not display yellow during the next update. This blue-yellow-blue sequence would tell me I'm getting progressively further away. Whereas red-yellow-red would indicate I was getting closer.