Abstract
We present an ultra low-cost sensing system, which enables participants to see and reflect on the particulates in their air. Drawing on prior work in paper computing, we introduce small sensors for particulate pollution that can be easily assembled from common paper materials for less than $1 USD, and mailed by regular postal service to residents of entire neighborhoods, cities, or geographic regions. Recipients collect particulate samples using these sensors and mail them back to a central location, where the particles are viewed and analyzed via a microscope. The data, which includes rich images of actual air pollution particles, can then be broadcast to larger audiences. This paper details the design of our system and its deployment with a local air quality activist community. We conclude by highlighting the tradeoffs between high-tech and low-tech sensing, and suggest opportunities for tangible interaction to support rich, new ways of seeing our environment.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | TEI 2014 - 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, Proceedings |
| Publisher | Association for Computing Machinery |
| Pages | 259-266 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2014 |
| Externally published | Yes |
| Event | 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, TEI 2014 - Munich, Germany Duration: Feb 16 2014 → Feb 19 2014 |
Other
| Other | 8th International Conference on Tangible, Embedded and Embodied Interaction, TEI 2014 |
|---|---|
| Country/Territory | Germany |
| City | Munich |
| Period | 2/16/14 → 2/19/14 |
Keywords
- DIY
- Low-tech sensing
- Paper computing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Software