05. Sensors

“If you look at the tropical belt, 80% of the working population are within small scale farming”

This story has been taken from the multimedia report Top 10 Frontier Technologies for Climate Action. Find it here.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the interconnection, via the internet, of computing devices embedded in everyday objects.

These connected security systems, cars or household lights are constantly sending and receiving data. As consumers, we might associate it with wearable step trackers or speaker systems that follow voice commands. But IoT can bring new efficiencies to industry and logistics, as well as providing vast tranches of data that can help to slow climate change and monitor progress towards climate goals.

This technology is becoming more affordable — Asia Pacific already accounts for almost half of the market of sensors in industry, on the back of improved automotive standards in India, China and Indonesia. As sensors get cheaper and more sophisticated, IoT already has a range of applications in countries in development. For example, farmers can use remote sensors to monitor moisture levels and soil conditions in the fields to avoid crop failure. Sensors can provide remote control of micro-irrigation pumps in India and water pumps in Rwanda, improving functionality and reducing repair intervals. In Haiti, healthcare professionals are using “smart” thermometers to better track vaccine delivery and storage.

However there are privacy and security concerns about IoT technology, and although costs are reducing, they are still high enough to be a barrier to widespread use in nations that are in development. Embedding computers into everyday devices is still a fairly new concept, and innovation is needed to bring down costs. But this tech is already transforming vital services and infrastructure in nations in development, and there is much more to come.

Asset-Level Remote Monitoring

Sensors are bits of physical technology that collect images, location information and other data. They remove the need for people to be out there gathering this information, and allow for larger areas to be monitored with more precision, significantly reducing costs. This can help businesses and governments in countries in development to deliver and monitor the impact of their action on the climate: the temperature of shipping containers could be tracked to prevent food and medicines from going off, for example. Soil-based sensors can check water and plant conditions to enable smart irrigation systems. Sensors in water systems could prevent leaks. The opportunities are almost limitless, but more innovation is needed to work out exactly how this emerging technology can improve climate outcomes. Accelerators, incubators and competitions encouraging companies to develop solutions in this space, all have a role to play.

Space-Level Geospatial Sensing

A satellite is an object that orbits in space. Traditionally, they have been heavy and expensive, requiring a large rocket launcher to get into orbit. But the development of miniaturised satellites, which require a much smaller rocket to launch, means that this technology could be used much more widely. Essentially, the presence of more satellites means that much larger areas can be monitored, with a much greater level of accuracy. This reduces the overall cost of monitoring, while also meaning that more data is available to assess and act on. Energy infrastructure could be checked for damage, to better inform maintenance. Hyperlocal weather forecasting using satellite data could help farmers to better plan sowing and reaping — in fact one company is currently working on this already in Ghana: Ignitia.

There are exciting uses for satellite imagery too — it could be used to help understand and improve transport systems — not just overland, but by sea. It could also be used to identify the best places for reforestation.

Want to explore the other nine Frontier Technologies for Climate Action? Click here.

Is there a technology here that captures your attention? Put your thoughts in the comments section below or get in touch at ftlenquiries@imcworldwide.com