A novel, cost-effective Internet of Things (IoT) sensor system, developed with Scottish expertise, is poised to help communities in developing countries combat the impacts of climate change by enabling real-time detection, monitoring, and management of water quality.
Aqsen Innovations has collaborated with CENSIS – Scotland’s innovation hub for sensing, imaging, and IoT technologies – to advance the development of its sensor system, Aquasense.
This system, adaptable to test various water variables such as temperature, oxygenation, salinity, and chemical presence, offers a solution to the high costs typically associated with sensor systems of this calibre. Aqsen Innovations aims to price the technology at just 25% to 30% of comparable products, with the assistance of CENSIS in utilising a unique blend of components compatible with Aqsen’s software tools.
By providing real-time monitoring of water quality, the IoT sensors generate data that can be remotely monitored via mobile devices, aiding decision-making processes. The focus lies particularly on regions vulnerable to flooding or reliant on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture and aquaculture.
Farmers, for instance, can utilise the technology to monitor soil moisture levels for crops, directly influencing plant health and yields. Similarly, fish farmers can benefit by tracking water temperature, dissolved oxygen levels, and pH levels, enabling precise feeding schedules and health monitoring.
Later this year, the team plans to begin advanced trials of the technology in Lake Victoria in partnership with Makerere University College of Natural Sciences in Uganda. Initial trials have already been successfully conducted at fish farms in Uganda and in India, monitoring water quality in floodplains and agricultural land.
Rinku Dasbiswas, Co-Founder of Aqsen Innovations, said: “Aquasense provides real-time, dynamic insights on water quality that can support communities and help to improve productivity across a variety of sectors grappling with environmental challenges. It is about making technology that can make a real difference more affordable and accessible to those who need it most. The impact this could have in developing nations is huge, and it was brilliant to hear the initial feedback from farmers on the difference this could make to their livelihoods.
“Once we reach commercialisation, we hope to develop the product further and begin incorporating satellite imaging. CENSIS is playing a key role in integrating the IoT technologies into our sensor systems. The team also introduced us to other UK-based companies operating in the field, and we hope to foster these connections by working together to adapt the product and help mitigate against the impacts of climate change in this part of the world as well.”
The sensors will also undergo trials in various projects in Scotland in collaboration with CENSIS, exploring optimal methods to monitor water quality in different scenarios such as flooding and tree planting. Potential applications are also being explored in South Africa and Malaysia.
Rachael Wakefield, Business Development Manager at CENSIS, added: “Aqsen Innovations’ mission is closely aligned with our own, and we have experience of creating bespoke IoT-enabled sensors for use in environmental sensing applications at scale. Accessible, affordable environmental sensing is not just a challenge for developing nations, it is useful here in the UK too – especially for small farms and not-for-profit organisations that have a need for data-evidenced land management change. The potential impact of Aquasense is huge and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Aqsen Innovations, supporting the team to address global climate challenges.”
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