The chip, in turn, wirelessly powered a radio-wave device that was located a meter away and measured energy from the ear.

WSJ: Harnessing Energy From the Body to Power Devices

Dr Bilham says that the Indian government has even forbidden him to use a gravity meter in the region (such a meter measures whether a point is moving away from the centre of the earth, and therefore indicates a build up of strain that might be released as an earthquake).

ECONOMIST: Earthquakes in India

Track-The Proximo App dashboard keeps track of up to five items, including a customizable active proximity meter, so you always know how far away you are from them.

ENGADGET: Kensington wants you to be very afraid of losing your iPhone, buy its $60 Proximo system

And in another example revealed by the BBC, John Hawthorn, from Blackpool, said the workmen took away the meter when he was away, even though he told them not to.

BBC: British Gas mistakes revealed