You can help build an open air quality sensor network

Where's the data? Look outside your window -- have you ever wondered what the quality of the air is out there? I mean RIGHT. OUT. THERE. 12 inches from your face. If so, you are out of luck. The air quality data collected by the government is likely sampled from far, far away and then applied to you on a regional level, almost completely useless from the standpoint of trying to understand or change the local dynamics of pollution that affect you. Not good. If you're interested in joining a community of people who are going to change that, read on.

Credit: Albert Chao

In the world of December 2011 that we live in, data drives activism. The dialog online has reached a deafening roar and everyone has a cause, so it takes hard evidence to turn heads. Without real air quality data, people can be easily brushed aside, or worse, ignored. But nothing screams, "Take action!" like a link to a datastream updating in real-time showing how people are being affected at this very moment. This is the next form of self-expression, a la YouTube, and it's already happening.

So, why no air quality data?  It's not a technology problem. Open source hardware, data infrastructure, networks -- we have this stuff and can use it to build a cheap networked sensor. How to fund, deploy, and distribute the sensors, and then how to utilize the data we receive -- we can figure this stuff out with a bit of hard work.

The barrier is the naysayers -- people who don't understand that the engine and scale of the internet community has put what we need to solve this problem within our grasp. They are the people who ask why we'd bother, since we don't understand the science. It's true, we do not have access to the technology that builds $50,000 air quality sensor systems, but we do have the ability to put 50,000 $100 sensors systems into a city, a collective voice which won't be able to be ignored. We'll also have a much better view of trends and of what's happening in real-time -- which will most likely tell us things that the official datasets aren't looking for.  Further, if we're a bit savvy about it, we'll be able to create a platform that other people can refine and improve over time. We might not hit the bullseye on the first run through (which may not be necessary anyway if we build an extensible platform), but we'll start an unstoppable movement that will re-shuffle the way issues get discussed.

With this agenda -- to create a way for citizens to participate in the conversation about air quality -- we have partnered with our Pachube communities in NYC and Amsterdam. On November 18, we held a workshop at De Waag, a center for digital media in Amsterdam in the center of the old city, which brought together people from all walks -- hardware, software, scientists, concerned citizens, etc. Led by Casper Koomen, a UX and concept developer, we were joined by Sara Cordoba of design agency Booreiland. Bas Mijling from the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute provided perspective on local issues and resources. Other speakers discussed projects that helped define our collective understanding of the challenges involved.


Following the event in Amsterdam, another group gathered at eyebeam in NYC on December 2nd, led by Mark Shepard, a well-known artist, architect, and researcher in the Internet of Things space.  Dirk Swart from Wicked Device provided invaluable technical input.  Incorporating the foundation built in Amsterdam, this group tackled the issues around the initial target users, user experience, and methods of deployment/funding.  A consensus on a solution framework and design language which will define the project moving forward was met.  Coming out of that session, a group of committed individuals in both cities are owning slices of this product concept, with the following decisions dictating how development moves forward:

- Ease of use, approachability. The basic unit comes in two parts: a “base station” RF platform that would plug directly into the ethernet port of a wi-fi router, and an enclosed sensor node that communicates wirelessly within 40-50 yards. The wireless node would be protected in a distinct “egg” casing: simple to produce with the potential to create a sense of empathy or stewardship.  The project's name "Air Quality Egg", is taken from this concept.

- Requirement to be able to compare inside/outside measurements. (Should I open the window? Should I get off the bus here? How does the air in my home compare with others?)  Additionally, personal space + public space measuring produces a valuable network effect while delivering immediate personal value.  This is key for both distribution and engagement/participation.

- Platform focus: Applications will be limited and basic at the outset as the design of the network has the enablement of third-party applications at its core.  Furthermore, the hardware will be designed with openness, extensibility in mind.  This group's sensor systems will be the start, but the network will be open to adding hardware (eggs) designed by others onto the core base station.  Have a better way to get at air quality data than the sensor/hardware choices made here? Make your own egg and send it out to the community!

- Crowdfunded: Kickstarter is a natural path for Air Quality Egg.  The project can be funded and simultaneously reach the people who want to be part of this movement. This is a project built, funded, and run by a distributed group of citizens. eyebeam will likely be a key partner at this step.

This is happening.  The Air Quality Egg group intends to prototype, test, and start marketing the product within 60 days.  At Pachube, we're committed to extending resources to keep this alive and on a forward path.

You can help and be a part of this!  

• Come to a workshop in Amsterdam or NYC. We are hacking the hardware in Amsterdam next Saturday, Dec 17. The followup in NYC will be announced shortly thereafter.
• Contribute to various parts of the project, collaboration will be collected on the wiki.  If you have some expertise, particularly in low-cost air quality sensors, we want your brain!
• Spread the word!  Share/tweet this blog post.
• Join the discussion on the open Google Group.
• Buy an Air Quality Egg!  When we start taking orders, I will let you know where to go to buy one if you go and add your email to this list.

Thank you to all of the participants of the workshops so far, including:

Internet of Things Amsterdam Meetup

Oswaldo Heinen
Amran Anjum
Axel Roest
Martin Jacobsson
Rene Pare
Wout Tankink
Kristof De Buysere
Xi SiZhe
Vincent Schipper
Joao Rocha
Roland van Straten
Frans Snik
Stephane Logger
Ben Lawson
Martin Havranek
Casper Koomen
Sara Cordoba
Bas Mijling

Internet of Things NYC Meetup + eyebeam
Art Mikhlin
Tom Lowenhaupt
Adam Griff
Christo de Klerk
Joe Plotkin
Eulani Labay
Volkan!
Janice Kim
Josh Levine
Cindy Konits
Daniel Toke Hansen
Mia Stigsnaes
Eken Ijeoma
Francisco Hui
Albert Chao
Mark Shepard
Dirk Swart
Victoria Marshall