Simon Lock  (Plymouth University, UK)

simon.lock@plymouth.ac.uk

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to describe the development and deployment of a cluster of 20 very low-cost environmental monitoring sensors, constructed from cheap and readily available, off-the-shelf components. The design of these sensors was made particularly challenging since the domain in which we were working was pervaded by numerous technical, physical, political, social and financial challenges. All of these factors result in the need to make numerous compromises and complex trade-offs over the course of the development process. We explore all phases of the project, from design and conceptualisation, all the way through to deployment and data retrieval. We discuss the challenges faced and solutions found at each step of the way and conclude with a set of “Lessons Learned” that may help to guide others attempting similar activities.

Keywords

Greenspaces, Environmental, Monitoring, Community-Based Monitoring