The 3.5 billion mobile devices on the planet are seen by many scientists as the world’s largest decentralized computer, capable of linking up trillions of pieces of data in an instant. Researcher’s at UCLA’s Center for Embedded Network Sensing (CENS) are taking advantage of this for the first time.
They just launched a private beta of their participatory sensing project called PEIR (Personal Environmental Impact Report) which links your cell phone via GPS to real time environmental data such as CO2, particulate matter, eroded land, etc.
Strangely, they have a “Fast Food” impact which cracked me up, but as I understand it, that’s actually a guinea pig test for cell phone photograph mapping. The result is a report of the impacts on your health by exposure to the above factors.
All of this high tech wizardry will be open to the public and linked up to Facebook in the Fall of 2008. You can sign up in advance at the PEIR website.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Participatory Sensing
- Using mobile devices to collect and share real-time environmental data opens up opportunities for participatory sensing projects.
- Mobile Mapping
- The integration of GPS technology in cell phones allows for the mapping of environmental pollutants in real-time.
- Health Impact Analysis
- By analyzing the collected data, health impacts of environmental factors can be reported and analyzed.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Environmental Monitoring
- The environmental monitoring industry can leverage mobile devices to enhance data collection and analysis.
- Mobile Technology
- The mobile technology industry can explore the integration of GPS and environmental sensing capabilities in cell phones.
- Healthcare
- The healthcare industry can use the collected data to assess and analyze the impact of environmental factors on public health.
