An innovative, wearable and intelligent device designed to allow every citizen to monitor the quality of the air in real time and make more aware choices for his own health: it is called breath (Real-time Environmental Sensing for Personal Intelligent Risk Optimization). Made by the University of Milan-Bicocca together with Road-Rome Advanced District and Xearpro Srl, it was officially presented today at the Ostiense gazometer in Rome.
Breath is not a simple sensor, but a platform within everyone’s reach, capable of detecting different atmospheric pollutants, including CO2, carbon monoxide, thin and ultrafine dust, as well as parameters such as temperature, humidity and atmospheric pressure. The collected data are georeferenced and displayed in real time via an integrated LED screen, thus allowing users to immediately understand the surrounding air quality. A dedicated app, connected via Bluetooth, warns through intelligent notifications when potentially risky conditions for health occur.
The presentation of breath was held at the Road technological center, an hub for innovation promoted by Eni, the railway group of the Italian State, Acea, Autostrade per l’Italia, Bridgestone, Cisco Italia and Nextchem. The event was introduced by the rector of the University of Milan-Bicocca, Giovanna Iannantuoni, and by the President Road, Claudio Granata, with a round table of in-depth analysis which was attended by researchers and partners of the project.
Thanks to the low-cost structure, compact and versatile, breath can be easily hooked to a backpack, a bag or a jacket, becoming a practical ally for more sustainable and conscious mobility.
The device will be at the center of parallel monitoring campaigns in Milan, coordinated by the Polaris Research Center at Piazza della Scienza, and to Rome, in the Ostiense district, with the involvement of citizens, students and volunteers in view of “Citizen Science”.
“In a period in which air quality is a central theme for politics and society-said Giovanna Iannantuoni-the University of Milan-Bicocca proposes with a concrete model of urban regeneration and public health protection through advanced technological tools within everyone’s reach”.
“Breath represents the first concrete initiative of the Rome Advanced District less than two years since its inception – added Claudio Granata – and constitutes a turning point in the collaboration between universities and companies, to concretely support the technological transformation processes and the ecological transition of the cities”.