Overview
OpenHAP is an air quality monitoring device designed to generate real-time data on household air pollution, particularly from the use of biomass and other solid fuels. The system integrates various sensors to track indoor air quality, providing critical insights for environmental health.
OpenHAP’s Foundational Development
The OpenHAP platform originated with EED Advisory, who developed it to address pollution from cooking activities. Their initial efforts in 2019 involved designing, manufacturing, and field-testing a prototype in Kenya, which utilized thermal infrared cameras for stove usage detection.
Building on this early work, EED Advisory collaborated with Infras (Zurich, Switzerland) and the Berkeley Air Monitoring Group (California, USA) between 2020 and 2021. This partnership focused on establishing calibration procedures for the low-cost PM2.5 subsystems within OpenHAP, thereby enhancing the reliability of its measurements.
The Next Generation of OpenHAP
In 2024, Geviton collaborated with EED Advisory to lead pivotal upgrades to the OpenHAP system, specifically enhancing its performance for off-grid environments and expanding its monitoring capabilities. The Key enhancements led by Geviton include:
- Enhanced Temperature Monitoring: Replacement of thermal imaging, which had limited temperature measurement coverage of all stoves in a cooking area, with Bluetooth temperature dataloggers. This upgrade vastly improved monitoring capabilities, allowing for the simultaneous tracking of 4–100 stoves in enclosed cooking spaces.
- Integrated Carbon Monoxide (CO) Sensors: Introduction of carbon monoxide (CO) sensors to allow for the precise tracking of CO levels in parts per billion (ppb).
- Remote Continuous Monitoring with GSM: Integration of GSM capabilities to ensure seamless data transmission from off-grid locations, enabling real-time insights without requiring active user input or local infrastructure.
- Refined Calibration Procedures: Refining the existing calibration procedures and code to ensure accurate calibration of the newly added CO sensors.
The Impact of Geviton’s Upgrades
These comprehensive upgrades by Geviton have significantly enhanced OpenHAP’s capabilities, leading to tangible real-world impact:
- Expanded Deployment: The enhanced system was successfully deployed by EED Advisory across 80 households in Namibia.
- Improved Accessibility & Health: By offering an affordable, easy-to-use technology with remote monitoring capabilities, OpenHAP empowers communities with real-time air quality data, facilitating early detection of harmful pollutants and promoting healthier indoor environments.
- Scalability for Future Innovations: OpenHAP’s modular design, further solidified by Geviton’s enhancements, ensures its readiness for future expansions and integration with additional smart home devices.
- Data for Strategic Planning: The high-resolution data generated by the upgraded OpenHAP system is instrumental in informing clean cooking strategy and better quality air.
Success Story
“OpenHAP has been a game-changer for us. The device’s ability to monitor air quality in real-time without requiring active input makes it invaluable. The automated data logging and connectivity to ThingsBoard allow us to track trends and take action before air quality deteriorates. OpenHAP is not just a device, it’s an essential tool for creating healthier indoor environments.”
—EED
Looking Ahead
As Geviton continues to focus on creating cutting-edge solutions, we invite partners and researchers to collaborate on shaping the future of air quality monitoring. Contact us to explore how we can work together to improve air quality awareness and action at the last mile.