In exciting news, Project Anubis has been announced. It is a modification to the Dexcom G6 “Firefly” CGM transmitter that gives a bunch of things that I personally see as advantages over new units.
- User-replaceable battery (larger capacity than original). Unlike with re-batteried G5 transmitters, no fancy epoxy sealing is required. A tiny packet of Sugru/Kintsuglue can be carried with a spare battery, and even on extended travel away from civilisation can be easily replaced without fancy tools (with a waterproof seal when you’re done).
- 180-day transmitter expiry. To cope with the larger battery capacity, the transmitter no longer stops after 100/110 days.
- After replacing the battery, the unit automatically resets to day 0 and enters deep sleep, not chewing battery until inserted into a sensor.
- For users of xDrip+, xDrip4iOS, Spike, etc the transmitter again sends raw data as well as the “cooked”/”Native” calibrated data. Just like the original G6 units.
- No sensor restart detection. To extend the use of a sensor past 10 days no longer requires removing the transmitter or jamming BG strips into awkward positions, and praying you’d held your mouth right. They should be as easily restarted as G5 sensors.
The rest of it essentially is a G6 (although obviously not supported by Dexcom). That support only applied to the original unit before recycling. For that matter, they’re no longer “Medical Devices”: just pieces of electronics we choose to use…
Just like a standard G6 the unit does not require fingerprick calibration (although this can be used). The units work just like other G6s, using the same sensors and communicating with phone apps, pumps, standalone receivers, etc.
Visually different
As can be seen in this prototype image, an Anubis unit is marked (by laser engraving) to avoid confusion with a regular G6. The serial number is currently displayed on the top of the unit for convenience.
That is a security concern to me: a nefarious bystander who finds out your serial number could conduct a denial-of-service attack (just as with G5/etc) and disconnect your CGM from your phone/pump. But it’s easy to cover up with Sugru/enamel/etc to remove that risk.
Extended use
By default an Anubis unit will run a G6 sensor for 10 days with a 2-hour warmup, just like a standard Firefly. But for “advanced users” wanting more (and willing to take the extra steps of monitoring sensor performance) this can be tweaked via Bluetooth to provide sensor sessions up to 60 days (or whenever you give up on the sensor) with a warmup of just under an hour. Note that the Dexcom G6+ used in South Africa already has 14-day sessions and 1-hour warmup.
Project Anubis
Project Anubis is the culmination of over 6 months effort by a team of engineers and testers (centred here in Australia). It is not a commercial product: it is made by people with T1 diabetes for people with diabetes.
Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife, protector of the dead, as well as the patron god of lost souls and the helpless. He’s often depicted weighing the heart of the deceased against The Feather of Truth.
It seems a vaguely appropriate name.
Where to from here?
Each Anubis transmitter is produced from an expired/recycled Dexcom G6 Firefly. It gets physically modified and updated. It’s currently a small operation, and production at the moment is limited by the availability of expired transmitters. Pricing is unclear yet as it’s a fair bit of work, but should be no more than 50% the cost of a new Firefly. The expectation is not to make money out of this: everyone’s in it just to help other people with diabetes get access to featureful CGM.
Of course I plan to be reporting soon on my own Anubis experiences as part of the testing cohort.
Do you have expired G6 transmitters?
Making these units depends on the availability of expired Firefly G6s to recycle. If you have any, please don’t throw them out! I’m told people donating old transmitters should be prioritised as the production of Anubis units ramps up.
Collection points for expired Fireflies are currently established in five countries. Links (via Facebook) to these people are as follows:
| Australia | Simon |
| Netherlands | Marvin |
| New Zealand | Samuel |
| United Kingdom | Matthew |
| United States | Amanda |
G6 Generations
Here’s a bit of a run-down of the history:
The original G6 transmitters had serial numbers that began with 80, and were basically a 2nd-generation G5. They didn’t need calibration and had 10-day sensor sessions, but otherwise they had the features of the G5. Including the ability to be reset via Bluetooth after replacing the battery. These have been quite sought-after in some circles because of their ability to be re-batteried.
Then a firmware change (apparently somewhere in the 81Cxxx range of serials) removed the ability to reset. This meant that after the first 100 days Native mode wasn’t available, and these transmitters were only useable with xDrip+, Spike, and xDrip4iOS (not with the Dexcom apps, Tandem pumps, etc). They can be re-batteried, but are then restricted in what they will work with.
Then came the “Firefly”. The serial numbers jumped up to 8Hxxxx or so, and the shape of the top of the units changed subtly. Internally the hardware underwent a major overhaul. The algorithm got some reworking too, especially the auto-calibration algorithm and sensor restart detection. Because Firefly removed the transmission of “raw” sensor data (which had been there since the G4) these transmitters would not work with Spike and xDrip4iOS, and as such could not be usefully re-batteried.
There have been continual Firefly firmware updates since, although the impact of each is much more subtle. When the G6 was introduced to Australia, we were well into the Firefly generation already.
South Africa seems to be the only place which receives the G6+ version, which otherwise seems to be similar to the Firefly.
G7?
There are signs of Dexcom’s next-generation G7 system emerging onto some international markets soon. Here in Australia the G6 was only introduced in 2020, but has not yet replaced the G5 for most people. I have no idea of when Dexcom might eventually bring the G7 to Australia. On a related note, it’s taken Abbott almost three years to bring the Libre 2 to Australia.
I think there’s plenty of life left in the G6 system all around the world.
AMAZING! Thanks Everyone.
Excellent overview. Thank you!
With the reusable battery, I’m reading this as once we get one of these units we can reuse it and replace the battery ourselves when it runs out, is that right? Or does it have to be sent back to Simon and replaced again?
Replaced by you and re-sealed on the spot is my understanding of the final design.
I’m ecstatic at this news, and beyond grateful to all of the hard work and dedication of the amazing Easter Bionic Wookie and cohorts. Thank you so very much x
This is all just freakin’ amazing. I see that we are going to be able to replace the battery ourselves and glue it in. Does that mean that we can replace the battery more than once? ie Can one transmitter live forever with continuous battery replacement?
Thank you so much to all of.the team working on this technology. You are true warriors.
There would be some wear-n-tear so won’t last forever, but with care it should last a very long time. Especially as you should only have to replace the battery twice a year or so.
Thanks so much. I am appalled at the greed in Dexcom, a thousand dollar transmitter with a non replaceable battery. I will support you best I can. Need G5 transmitters?
The retail price of a G6 transmitter is AU$400. Not $1000, but still expensive when it only lasts 100 days.
G5 transmitters are easily re-batteried and reset. The contacts I listed in various parts of the world are probably set up to handle those already, so sure they’re all useful thanks!
Ability to source G4/G5 sensors on the other hand is not so straightforward, they are being forcefully phased out, and cannot be purchased in NZ any more unless you have some existing pump integration under warranty.
A G6 transmitter here in NZ is $750 NZD or so. It’s outrageous we can’t change the $1.50 battery. I can’t imagine how it costs them more than $25 to make the transmitter either. They are just reaming us all, and escalating their anti-customer stance. They are going to be eaten alive by the Libre 2, because their policy is driving customers away.
G5 is not being phased out in Australia yet, but G6 is starting to take hold so I guess it’s only a matter of time.
Whooohooow, yes! Glad to have contributed to this project with our expired transmitter(s). So happy on all initiatives to unburden our diabetes-world! 🙂
What batterie are you using, with that mutch more power ? Is that a spezial one and will it be easy possible to get a new one, if needed ?
I’ve had Energizer 357 batteries with my test units. Fairly standard!
Great, thanks for this information.
Ever used Varta Lithium CR1632 in my, just died, 80xxx Transmitter.
“Caro Go” is collecting a lot of expired old Fireflys in our community and will send them to marvin. 🙂
Yes that’s probably what I would use in an 80xxxx too. There were some design changes with the Firefly.
Hello!
Is there a way to get one of the Anubis Transmitters???
I am from germany and actually i have 8 used transmitters available.
If you sent me your address i can ship these transmitters to Australia.
Regards Rainer
In May I commented on another Anubis post that they have a Google form for people to register their interest. I gather there has now been some rollout outside Australia.
Where can we buy it?
See above.
Good day, I would be interested in 1 of these sensors, how can I get my hands on one of these?
See above.
I’m confused. You said in your intro that the Firefly cannot be “usefully re-batteried” due to restrictions Dexcom added to this transmitter version. Yet, the image at the top of this page with the “Anubis” and the serial # engraved on top looks like a Firefly and it appears that’s what you are selling here. Have you found a way to restart the clock? And if the apps you mentioned don’t work for iPhone users (I could not find any of the 3 in the App store, anyway), what app can we use to restart the clock for a re-batteried transmitter we buy from you? Do we have to just use the Dexcom g6 app and restart as a “new transmitter” every 90 days? (I’m in the USA if that makes a difference.)
Please don’t misunderstand—I love that you are doing this! I got hit with a $2500 bill for 3 months’ worth of insulin, Dexcom sensors, and 1 transmitter today. So need to find ways to cut costs or will have to go back to the less accurate Medtronic cgm and pump.
Thank you!
Rebecca
What the Anubis Project (which is not me by the way) has done is to reprogram a “Firefly” or later G6 to become an Anubis G6. You’ll see a slot where it was cut down through to the processor so it can be reprogrammed.
It then behaves like a regular G6 except with altered expiry times (and the ability to reset).
“what you are selling”. I’m not selling anything, other than maybe the idea that it is possible to improve on Dexcom’s transmitter.
Can you provide specifics on the Bluetooth settings that can be tweaked for “advanced users”?
Thank you!
I did. Sensor expiry can be 60 days instead of 10, and at the same time the warmup period shrinks from 2 hours to 50 minutes.
What an amazing feat by a group of talented people. It is super unfortunate that Dexcom has to be the way they are. The one thing Medtronic got right was the rechargeable battery in their CGM units, otherwise they are terrible (personally have used them and wouldn’t go back to them even if I was paid to do so. I’m a little excited, my Anubis transmitter is supposed to be arriving in the mail tomorrow. Looking forward to it, though I still have to learn more about how to use it to properly.
I got anubius, but there is no guide anywhere to find how to tweak “advanced settings” via bluetooth… I do not have Facebook and it seems like there is nothing else expect Facebook support group…
Contact the people you got Anubis from. They should be able to point you to “ResetT00L” (iOS) and “AnubisT00L” (Android) to do what you want.
Is there any way to reuse the dexcom sensors? I’ve ordered this transmitter, and am new to the system so I was just curious if there is something for the sensors as well. Thanks!
Nope. The filament coatings are consumed during the sensor life. I think the best we can do is extend the sensor lifespan through doing things like not having to disturb it at 10 days.
But each sensor should be a new unit fresh from its sterile packaging.
Hi David! Thank you for all your valiable insights.
I just bought an Anubis for my 3yo son Who has t1d. I wanted to ask… Recently he developed an abcess in the place where the sensor was pierced. It was a bad infection and ended having to take antibiotics.
So i’m a little concerned about whether wearing a sensor for 60 days instead of 10 is going to make it more likely that he as develops another infection or something.
What is your experiencia and opinión?
Thank you
I only know a few people who manage to go to 60 days. I rarely get to 20 myself.
Mind you, with the older G5 my record was over 53, with no infections/etc.
I do always swab/clean the site before insertion if that makes a difference.
Ho un trasmitter Anubis e ho problemi con il cambio batteria. Ho messo una lr43 e non è andata bene. Qual’è la batteria adatta?
Information about battery types should available from the place you got your Anubis.
An LR43 is an alkaline battery, and I would only use it in an emergency (replacing it as soon as possible) as the voltage discharge curve is not what’s expected.
The usual battery is a 386 or SR43W (which is the same physical size, but uses silver oxide chemistry).
Hi wanted to verify before I make any attempt to change the battery on my annubis transmitter.
How do you know when it’s time to change the battery on the annubis?
I get notifications on the dexcom app indicating:
“Remove sensor and transmitter now
Pair and new transmitter with a new sensor”
Should I effectively ignore this notification from the Dexcom app with regards to pairing a new transmitter and just keep using the Annubis?
What is the indicator for when to change the battery in the Annubis transmitter?
Also can you advise on the best way to change the battery?
I already have the 1.55V Silver battery and Sugru glue. Not sure how to remove the existing glue and battery to ensure I dont damage anything.
Thanks in advance for your help and dedication to this project and helping diabetics with improving the longevity and practicality of the dexcom g6 sensors and transmitter. I look forward to your response ??
There’s a very supportive community in the “Followers of Anubis” FB group.
The “Anubis Reader” (on iPhones) and “AnubisT00L” (on Android) tool will show you the battery level.
But usually the transmitter just needs a reset (which makes the Dexcom app see it as a new transmitter) as there’s lots of life left in the battery. 2nd time around it’s more likely to need a fresh battery.