The Noisetube App Turns Your Smartphone Into a Noise Pollution Data Sensor
Alyson Wyers — June 4, 2014 — Tech
References: noisetube.net & fastcoexist
A mobile app allows citizens to map the noise pollution in their cities. Developed by researchers in Belgium and France, Noisetube lets urban inhabitants to document noisy areas with their smartphone.
Compared to street noise, other kinds of pollution typically get more attention. Luckily this is an issue ordinary people can take into their own hands, as this app lets them record and map sound levels in their area. A citizen-run network could complement existing government noise-measuring methods, or replace them all together.
By using smartphones as environmental sensors, the need for expensive measuring gear is eliminated, as is the challenge of sensor distribution. The noise pollution app not only allows you to upload sound level data, it also lets you annotate as you go.
Compared to street noise, other kinds of pollution typically get more attention. Luckily this is an issue ordinary people can take into their own hands, as this app lets them record and map sound levels in their area. A citizen-run network could complement existing government noise-measuring methods, or replace them all together.
By using smartphones as environmental sensors, the need for expensive measuring gear is eliminated, as is the challenge of sensor distribution. The noise pollution app not only allows you to upload sound level data, it also lets you annotate as you go.
Trend Themes
1. Citizen-driven Noise Mapping - Developing apps that allow citizens to map noise pollution in their cities can disrupt traditional government noise-measuring methods or enhance them.
2. Environmental Sensing with Smartphones - Using smartphones as environmental sensors eliminates the need for expensive measuring gear and challenges of sensor distribution, opening opportunities for disruptive innovation.
3. Crowdsourced Noise Level Data - Creating platforms for citizens to upload sound level data and annotate their experiences can provide valuable insights for noise mitigation strategies, offering disruptive innovation potential.
Industry Implications
1. Urban Planning - Integrating citizen-driven noise mapping apps into urban planning processes can enhance noise mitigation strategies and disrupt traditional approaches.
2. Environmental Monitoring - Leveraging smartphones as environmental sensors for noise pollution monitoring can disrupt the traditional industry of expensive measuring gear and empower citizen participation.
3. Mobile App Development - Developing noise mapping apps and platforms that allow citizens to upload data and annotate their experiences offers disruptive innovation opportunities in the mobile app development industry.
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