Blog

Mote Housing Prototyping

Initial prototyping for remote housings has begun. Since we don’t yet have access to a 3D Scanner, the initial prototype had to be measured by hand using a digital caliper and modeled in Rhino. After a few iterations  to get measurements and clearances right, we’ve got a working prototype that will fit our sensor setup.

Refining and further design still need to happen, but the economy case has been developed and will protect the electronics during the first few weeks of data output. Constraints with our design include: open air access to all sensors and board, airflow to the Arduino to keep the sensor from overheating, and limits due to 3D Printing (our available prototyping tool of choice).

Thoughts, branding ideas, form suggestions welcome!

reMOTE Configuration

The environmental sensors are configured and are ready to be deployed wirelessly. We will be setting up the initial two sensors on opposite ends of the office to track both light and temperature swings, but also evaluate noise and traffic levels in “client” vs “office” spaces. Over the next 3-4 months we will continue gathering data from these two sensors, as well as adding additional sensors in the coming months.

Energy Values

Wouldn’t it be nice to know your individual contribution to the energy “pull” from the meter?  No, you don’t want to think about it?  Well then you aren’t like us.  Instead of pulling numbers from an outdated table or schedule of values, we will be able to one day know what each individual’s “E-Value” is.  Don’t believe me?

Seeing is believing!  We are collecting energy data live in the Lincoln Office!  Four workstations and a conference room are sending watt usage totals per an individual basis.  These report on a per second basis, but only initialize their values daily to a spreadsheet.  Not bad for our first month of PDG!

Don’t worry Dennis, I don’t actually cost the company $18.50/mo on electricity, it was still averaging down!