FAQ
Versa Gateway
The current casing used for the Versa Gateway is not waterproof. Please use the gateway indoors. Versa cannot be held accountable for damage as a result of improper use.
Yes, you can use LUA script (www.lua.org) to add your own firmware in addition to the Versa firmware. It only works as a closed loop. Data remains coming from Versa. It is not possible to have your firmware send you information.
At the moment the Versa Gateway recognizes the following Bluetooth LE devices:
- Reelables
- TempyTag
- Versa Tag
Please contact us at [email protected] if you wish to use another provider.
Currently, the Versa Gateway can scan up to 400 Bluetooth LE devices.
By default, the heartbeat of the Versa Gateway is set to 900s (15 minutes). You can easily adjust this to a more or less frequent heartbeat using the API. You can find the API documentation at https://docs.versa.company/
The Versa Gateway uses OTA (over-the-air) firmware updates.
The current version of the Versa Gateway is power by an adapter that comes with it. The next version of the gateway will use POE (Power over Ethernet).
Versa Tracker
- With the Versa Tracker you will always know where your bag is
- It is connected to airline software so that they can quickly reroute and/or retrieve your bag
- The tracker is specifically designed for use on aircraft. It is so far the only tracking solution that meets worldwide aviation regulations, and is approved by the European Aviation and Space Agency (EASA)
- The battery life allows for up to six intercontinental flights on a single charge
Setup and usage
The Versa tracker does not have an on/off switch. It automatically starts sending its location when it’s moving and will turn itself off (in other words: it will go into deep sleep) when it has not moved for tree minutes. This means you will never have to worry about turning the tracker on or off. And it also helps save battery power because the tracker only works when it needs to.
The Versa Tracker is designed to make traveling with check-in luggage stress-free. Using the app you’ll always know where your suitcase is. Should your suitcase have gone missing then it’s easy to let the authorities know where to find it.
Using several antennas and signals Versa is able to determine its location. This location is then sent to the app to which you’ve connected your tracker.
The tracker goes into flight mode automatically right before your flight is taking off and will automatically turn on again once the plane has arrived at the gate.
Versa uses several signals to determine its location. The availability of such signals, like GSM cell towers and Wifi access points influences the level of accuracy.
Versa features an Auto Flight Mode (patented) to comply with airline regulations and to save battery power while in flight. Based on an algorithm, the Versa understands when it’s on board of an airplane. It goes to sleep as soon as the doors of the aircraft are closed, and wakes up automatically when the airplane has arrived at the gate.
You can use Versa no matter what airline you fly. The internal 2G/3G SIM card enables a worldwide connection and ensures a correct location at any time.
Versa comes with a rechargeable battery which cab last for more than 6 intercontinental flights depending on length of travel. Recharging is easy via an integrated micro USB connector (cable included). Should its battery run low, Versa will let you know in advance via the app.
While charging, the LED shows a red light. A green light indicates that the Versa is fully charged.
You will get a “battery low” notification when the battery needs to be recharged. You can select the type of notification (which battery percentage) via the settings menu in the app.
There are four possible LED colors that occur during normal operation of the Versa tracker*:
- A red light indicates that the battery is charging
- A green light indicates that charging is complete
- A white light indicates that the tracker is active
- A blue light indicates that a flight has been scheduled
*Firmware version 0.2.7 and up.
Notifications can be turned off through the app by going to Notifications on the Settings page.
The following notifications are sent:
- Battery low notification when the battery has less than 20% power
- Battery low notification when the battery has less than 10% power
Obviously, we cannot check who is actually using the tracker but we know people will lend it to their friends and family. In that case you might want them to follow the tracker on their own. In order to make this happen you will need to remove the tracker from your account. Know that this might change per provider. For Versa, you can easily remove your tracker in the Versa web-app by clicking the settings icon next to the device ID of your tracker. This will bring you to the settings page for that tracker. At the bottom of the page you can click ‘Remove device’. Once you’ve done that, your friend or family member can create their own account and add your tracker for their travels. Make sure that they get the web-app by visiting https://partner.versa.company
Trouble shooting
- The location is determined by the signals we receive from nearby cell phone towers and WIFI networks. Due to this fact it is possible that there are not enough signals to pinpoint an exact location. If the location is not updated over an extended period of time it might help to reset the device.
- Another possibility is that your phone isn’t connected to the internet. In this case the location is updated correctly but can’t be sent to your phone.
In case the Versa does not work when it is charged please reset the device by pushing the pinhole next to the light with a paperclip for a few seconds. After the reset the device will give a white LED signal, which confirms that the tracker has been reset.
Due to the international usage of the Versa platform and the various date and time formats used around the world, Versa has chosen to follow the Universal DateTime format: “yyyy’-‘MM’-‘dd’T’HH’:’mm’:’ss’.’fffK”. For customer use that means that 2019-04-08 translates into April 8, 2019.
Safety and privacy
The device is compliant with the EASA and FAA regulations on the use of Mobile Electronic devices on board of aircraft. The tracker will go into Flight Mode automatically minutes before taking off and will stay in Flight Mode for the entire flight.
The Versa tracker is CE certified and is compliant with RoHS regulations.
The device also complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.
At Versa we care about your privacy. Therefore we are very careful with information we receive from you. All data is stored anonymously and connections are encrypted end-to-end. Only you, Versa, and her key partners have access to the location of the tracker. None of your location data will be shared without your consent.
Either party may transfer User Personal Information outside the European Economic Area if it complies with the provisions on the transfer of personal data to third countries in the GDPR.
The tracker exists of two poly-carbonate shells and a middle ring that are clicked together. This connection is unfortunately not waterproof. At the time of writing, Versa is not working on a waterproof version of its tracker.
The size of the battery inside the tracker is well below the limits for personal electronic devices allowed in the cargo area of the aircraft. There are known cases of other products that caused fire. These were the result of batteries being charged whilst flying. Under these circumstances—especially during take off and landing—fire can occur. Versa strongly recommends that you never charge the tracker while being on an airplane. Charge your tracker well in advance.
Data about your tracker and itinerary can be used to prevent your suitcase from missing its flight. Should your suitcase not be on board of the same aircraft as you then the airline will use the data to make sure that the suitcase is delivered to you as soon as possible. Only when you have given prior consent for the use of you data does the airline have access, from the moment you check in your luggage until the very moment you have your suitcase back with you.
Subscription
Yes, a subscription is needed to use the Versa Tracker. A first free year is included when purchasing a Versa Tracker. After the initial free year you can extend your subscription.
