Presentation and Workshop on the Air Quality Egg, an Open-Source Device for Measuring Air Quality

> 08.06.2012 / 5:30pm - 8:00pm: Presentation of the Air Quality Egg
> 09.06.2012 / 11:00am - 8:00pm: Prototyping Workshop
> Submission form to the prototyping workshop

Image by Sara Alvarelos

Presentation of the Air Quality Egg, an Open-Source Device for Measuring Air Quality 

08.06.2012 / 5:30 - 8:00pm

This is a presentation of various activities carried out by the DCDCity group, within Openlab Fridays, to create an open source device to measure air quality. Electronic material costs are getting lower and hardware devices with open licences are proliferating, which makes it possible to prototype solutions for specific problems affordably and fairly simply. Technology can serve to make us more aware of our environment and more willing to collaborate in its transformation.

One such example is the Air Quality Egg, a device based on the Arduino platform created by people all over the world, to measure air quality simply and cheaply. We will present the components of the solution, their possibilities and limitations. We will also explore the Pachube platform, where the data will be stored, and some simple ways of visualizing the data.

Later on, the library of prototypes will be presented, which can be used to test and improve any of the devices that are offered. The first of these devices will be the AQE. An explanation will be given on how to place it, configure it and verify that it sends data properly. Lastly, we will explain how the loan is going to work: when and how to pick it up.

Note: For this session, no prior knowledge of programming or electronics is needed.
 

Workshop for an Wlectronic Prototype of the Air Quality Egg, an Open-Source Device for Measuring Air Quality

09.06.2012 / 11:00am - 8:00pm (break for lunch)

This workshop is a continuation of the presentation of the Air Quality Egg (AQE) the day before and the goal is to build 10 complete prototypes over the course of the day. Following a manual specifically developed for this workshop, several teams will be able to build the kits and start posting their air quality data to the network.

The materials for this workshop have been provided by Pachube and the tools needed to assemble the devices will be supplied by Medialab-Prado. Participants only need to bring at least one computer per group to load the AQE programmes and to visualize the data. It is highly recommended that all the computers have the Arduino 1.0 IDE installed. Optionally, FTDI 5V cables and/or soldering irons can be used to make work faster, although it not absolutely essential. This is a workshop in which soldering irons will be used so experience doing so is recommended.

The 10 prototypes will become part of the DCDCity group at Medialab-Prado’s library of data collecting prototypes once the workshop is over, although they can be borrowed at that time to find out what the air quality conditions are in each participant’s house. After two weeks, they must be returned for the next participants to obtain a much more diverse, complete map of air quality in Madrid, made collaboratively. These devices will always be lent free of charge.
A theoretical session will close this cycle of activities related to the air on 22 May 2012. Air quality will be addressed from multiple viewpoints and options for improving it will be considered from the perspective of the commons.

Note: Due to the limited number of kits, places will be assigned strictly in order of registration (form below).