Bike Messengers Collect Essential Data
Going Like Sixty — January 7, 2008 — Eco
References: technology.newscientist
Bike messengers in the U.K. are helping monitor pollution via their cellphones. Small wireless pollution sensors and custom software allows the phones to send data back to a lab. The advantages are many, but one of the greatest is that areas which have never been monitored before can be now. It's also an inexpensive alternative to expensive stationary monitoring units.
"Mobiles are everywhere, and now have a lot of computing power,†says Eiman Kanjo, the computer scientist at Cambridge University, UK, leading technical development of the project. “They can provide an alternative to expensive custom hardware and report from places that otherwise aren't monitored.â€
Kanjo and colleagues gave local cycle couriers air-pollution sensors and GPS units that connect to their cellphones via Bluetooth. Custom software lets the phone constantly report the current air quality and location to servers back in the lab.
“They cycle around the city as usual and we receive the data over the cellphone network,†says Kanjo. “We can find out what pollutants people are exposed to and where."
Implications - Today eco-conscious consumer has an urge to help the planet that creates a demand for environmentally friendly products.
"Mobiles are everywhere, and now have a lot of computing power,†says Eiman Kanjo, the computer scientist at Cambridge University, UK, leading technical development of the project. “They can provide an alternative to expensive custom hardware and report from places that otherwise aren't monitored.â€
Kanjo and colleagues gave local cycle couriers air-pollution sensors and GPS units that connect to their cellphones via Bluetooth. Custom software lets the phone constantly report the current air quality and location to servers back in the lab.
“They cycle around the city as usual and we receive the data over the cellphone network,†says Kanjo. “We can find out what pollutants people are exposed to and where."
Implications - Today eco-conscious consumer has an urge to help the planet that creates a demand for environmentally friendly products.
Trend Themes
1. Pollution Monitoring Via Cell Phone - The development of smartphone-compatible pollution sensors is disrupting the stationary monitoring industry.
2. Mobile Monitoring Alternatives - Replacing expensive custom hardware with versatile mobile technology creates opportunity across various industries leverage sensing devices.
3. Data-driven Environmental Awareness - Smartphone sensors provide expansive environmental monitoring, creating possibilities for location-specific insights.
Industry Implications
1. Environmental Monitoring - Innovations in pollution monitoring and sensing technology have the potential to revolutionize the industry.
2. Logistics and Delivery - Incorporating efficient mobile technology can improve logistics and delivery operations overall while providing valuable data insights.
3. Smart Cities - Smartphone sensors can provide valuable data insights for urban planning and improve overall environmental conditions, creating opportunities for smart city development.
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