AIRDUINO: Arduino-Based Airborne Particulates Monitoring Robot Equipped with IOT Database

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Air pollutants pose a huge health threat with the Philippines considered as the second deadliest for household air pollution wherein a total of 3.3 million deaths were recorded (World Health Organization [WHO], 2018). Extreme exposure to the huge number of airborne particles leads to health problems and might cause disturbances to lifestyles. This study aimed to design, construct, and test the performance of the airborne particulates matter monitoring robot programmed using ARDUINO ® Sketch and IOT database software running in C++ and SQL mark-up language.

METHODS

The conceptualization, sensor calibration, sensor simulation, fabrication, robot construction, programming, preliminary testing and debugging, and testing. The functionality of the robot was done at Analog Devices Inc. AIRDUINO's system is composed of Arduino, Elegoo microcontrollers, and an air quality sensor in line with High Efficiency Particulate Arrestor (HEPA) Filter technology. These components were contained in an acrylic and aluminum casing. The robot was programmed using the Arduino programming software, subjected to testing and was debugged for errors in the program. Percentage was used to determine the accuracy of the processes.

RESULTS

AIRDUINO has a) 100% accuracy in detecting the current air quality condition of a specific point location as defined by the DFRobot open source hardware (2016), air quality sensor uses laser technology to count the present particles in the area; b) 100% accuracy in logging its reading in SD card module since memory card is a type of storage device which do not possess any moving parts (Ronald, 2016); and c) 90% accuracy in sending readings and data to cloud database. Due to the good connection and fast internet speed, the robot has no problem in uploading information. However, the 10% failure of the robot can be connected to the encountered difficulties in sending out data because of moderate to slow signal reception that hinders it from establishing secured connection over the internet using the WiFi module. AIRDUINO needs a constant 1mbps internet speed in order to perform IOT database logging.

DISCUSSIONS

With the results obtained, AIRDUINO can perform series of tasks programmed to perform with high accuracy. This robot can alleviate the alarming problem which is indoor air pollution, specifically in well-established institutions. These institutions have cleanrooms where tight monitoring is essential. AIRDUINO is a robot that helps in filtering harmful airborne particulates and monitors indoor air quality. Through further development, AIRDUINO can be used in hospitals and factories where the avoidance of harmful substances is of utmost importance. Avoiding diseases in the workplace and worsening of diseases in hospitals will also be ensured.