In the city of London, infants and toddlers who are constantly wheeled and carted around are most in danger of ground level air pollution caused by Nitrogen dioxide(NO2) and Particulate matters (PM).
Prolonged exposure to pollution can lead to long term implications such as lung cancer and other cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. London-based design practice Superflux conceptualised a portable kit that could help parents detect pollution levels around their kids.
Called BuggyAir, the device is a mobile sensing kit that helps parents and caregivers understand children's exposure to air pollution. BuggyAir teaches users about their environment to help families make informed decisions.
Working together with IoTA - The Internet of Things Academy, Virtual Technologies and Sciencescope, Superflux created a working prototype that allows over 40 test families to kits to measure, monitor and collect data regarding their children’s exposure to specific, damaging air pollutants, and in the process also learn about IoT.
The device is strapped to the user’s buggy or stroller and paired to the parent’s smartphone. It uploads and maps levels of pollution on the user’s journey by tapping into the resources located on the IoT platform.
Each participant can see their data in the form of a route map. The platform also allows users to discuss their concerns and insights with other participants and learn more about what they can do with the data.
The mission of the buggy Air project is to encourage users of technology become participants, sensemakers and translators of the technology. Superflux believes that the data they collect will inspire long-term behavioural change and influence legislation.
BuggyAir was the winner of Innovate UK's IoT Launchpad Competition in 2015.
