The Plymouth Sensing network
A low-power, low cost, community run and open access way to generate real-time information on conditions across the city.
As a social enterprise we have a mission to help Plymouth’s communities and businesses to use data better. A fundamental step is about helping all the businesses and community groups in the city to access more, and better, data.
We already run https://plymouth.thedata.place - the home of open data published by the city council and partners, and there are some real time dashboards emerging too at https://tick.thedata.place. These cover topics such as temperature, air quality, humidity, sound and light levels, etc - very important for quality of life and retail or hospitality businesses, in particular.
Real time data in the city uses an open community network using LoRAWAN technology - this is low power, long range, low bandwidth technology which is open access and perfect for sensors. Sensors then use this network and can process, store and share their data using our server.
This real time data platform is currently being built out by us as a volunteer effort.
Use and access of the data is free for everyone and we want to keep it that way, and so to take this further we need the help of businesses to do it.
Expanding the range and quality of data on the platform means:
Improving LoRAWAN coverage in the city
Increasing the number of sensors
Building new dashboards to show this data
Improving data governance and sharing.
You can help us in a number of ways:
Help us map the current coverage across the city and identify not-spots (volunteer time)
Help us build the mapping sensors
Walk around the city with them
Help us fill in the gaps in the map
Host a LoRAWAN gateway at your business premises (Just power and bandwidth, minimal)
Buy us a coffee to help cover our hosting costs (£5)
Contribute the costs of mapping sensors (£50)
Sponsor a LoRAWAN gateway (£100 for a small one, up to £1K)
Workshop with us on what new sensors we might need
Help us develop the map (volunteer time)
Contact us if you want to help.