- Temperature: Based on the amount of voltage that is read across a diode; when temperature rises, voltage increases
- Humidity: Detects the ratio of moisture in the air
- Movement/Occupancy: Using a passive infrared motion detector (PIR), detects emitted infrared energy from humans and animals in the form of heat
- Light Intensity: Detects the brightness of light (photocell or photoresistor) and converts it into a numerical value, a percentage of the maximum brightness it can detect
- Ultrasonic/Noise: Uses sound waves to measure distance and noise levels
- VOCs/CO2: Currently, in development
Better Data, Smarter Programming
With the advent of the Internet of Things, the catch-all phrase for the interconnection of our devices via the internet, has come a surge of new technologies. We can now control our home temperatures remotely, link our smartwatches and our cell phones, and benefit from cloud-based healthcare platforms.
For the built environment, tapping into the IoT unlocks significant design potential—namely, through faster and more precise means of collecting occupancy metrics.
Temperature, humidity, movement/occupancy, light intensity, ultrasonic/noise, volatile organic components (VOCs)/CO2—these six data sets are critical to master planning and post-occupancy evaluations. Existing sensor technology has allowed for the collection of segments of this data, but never in a comprehensive way. For example, movement sensors have been a useful tool, but occupancy analysis becomes more accurate when it takes CO2 findings into consideration.
The mantra is simple: enhanced data enhances analysis.