Sensor Technologies: How the Internet of Things is Improving Lives

Nearly a billion people in the world lack access to safe drinking water, two billion have inadequate sanitation facilities, and three billion use open campfires every day. Combined, these resource limitations are among the leading causes of death, and economic and political insecurity. Exacerbating these problems are the global effects of climate change, expected to significantly impact developing countries by changing water and energy quality and availability.

At OHSU and Portland State University, Evan Thomas’ team develops and implements cellular and satellite based “Internet of Things” sensor technologies designed to improve the collection of, and action on, data in global health programs. They deploy and study high efficiency cookstoves, water pumps, household water filters, sanitation systems, pedestrian footbridges and other developing world appropriate technologies. The SWEETLab has projects in 15 countries around the world, including a 1.7 million person water treatment and cookstove effort in Rwanda, and are currently monitoring the water supplies of millions of people in Kenya and Ethiopia.