Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Environmental Preservation, Disaster Relief, and Mapping
munication tools to facilitate getting aid to the right place at the right time. OpenRelief is
designing an inexpensive, semi-disposable open source hardware drone that can map dis-
aster zones; the device can be launched from a small road. The drone is modular so that
it can be integrated with other software and hardware platforms. Using computer vision,
the drone can recognize topography and people, and it can measure weather data as well as
radioactivity and smoke. The data can then be uploaded to disaster management systems,
andmitigation. Additionally,OpenRelief hasdevelopedasmallopensourcehardwareradi-
ation sensor that can be placed in disaster zones and will broadcast information directly to
the OpenRelief drone. Sometimes open hardware revolves around very traditional, nondi-
gital tools, but labeling the project as open source hardware gives a clear definitive solution
to a problem that it is allowed to be copied. One of the OpenRelief simulations states the
supply list as follows: “You just need this guide, pencils, paper and a map of the area where
the disaster is being simulated.” Through the use of open source hardware, OpenRelief en-
sures that anyone in the world can access this humanitarian drone technology, for the sake
of building their own platform, integrating other software and hardware technologies with
the OpenRelief airframe, inspiring the development of other modular sensors that can be
integrated with the OpenRelief platform, and accessing the data to aid with disaster relief.
community supported by a nonprofit company operating in various cities in the United
States. Public Lab aims to develop and apply open source tools for environmental explor-
ation and investigation. Through the distribution of hardware and software tools to the
public, and by providing web platforms for aggregating the environmental data collected
with these tools, Public Lab assists in the proliferation of civilian science so as to generate
distributed networks of knowledge and information. Some of its products include a mass
spectrometer that can optically measure contaminants in liquids, such as drinking water,
and balloon and kite mapping kits that provide affordable, easy-to-use, and safe tools for
taking aerial images for mapping purposes. Public Lab comprises a collaborative commu-
nity of contributors; experimental, inexpensive, easy-to-use tools; networks of local
groups working in chapters; an open access online data archive; free and open source soft-
ware; and an online platform to build collaborative communities. By leveraging open
source DIY techniques and tools, Public Lab aims to empower underserved communities
to take a hands-on approach to environmental sensing.
