Achim Haug & Anika Krause
I had the pleasure of speaking with Achim Haug and Anika Krause, two innovators in the air quality monitoring industry. Achim, a former Siemens executive with over two decades of experience, now resides in Thailand, where he founded AirGradient, a company dedicated to revolutionising air quality monitoring with an open-source approach. Anika, AirGradient’s scientific advisor, lives in Italy and brings extensive expertise in air quality exposure science and data analysis, holding a Ph.D. from Cambridge.
A Mission Rooted in Community and Open Design
AirGradient's journey began as a volunteer project aimed at helping a school in Northern Thailand monitor indoor air quality during the highly polluted burning season. Achim and his team focused on creating robust, long-lasting hardware with open designs to support global communities with affordable air quality solutions. Today, AirGradient stands out as the only global air quality monitoring company that openly shares all its hardware designs, electronic schematics, firmware, code, and CAD files under the Creative Commons license. This transparency fosters collaboration, enabling organisations and individuals to build upon AirGradient’s work.
The Challenges and Benefits of an Open Approach
Achim and Anika's discussion revealed the multifaceted advantages and challenges of their open-source approach. Achim emphasised how the community's involvement has been pivotal in refining and expanding its product capabilities. By openly sharing designs and data, AirGradient has built a trust-based relationship with its users, who contribute to and enhance the project. This collaboration has led to improved performance and innovative solutions that traditional proprietary models often miss.
One significant advantage is the ability to extend hardware easily. Community members can add sensors or modify existing setups, which enhances the product's flexibility and lifespan. This approach not only supports affordability but also ensures the products are adaptable and sustainable. Moreover, the open-source nature encourages transparency and trust, as customers can see exactly how the devices work and modify them to suit their needs.
Engaging the Community and Educational Impact
One of the most significant impacts of AirGradient’s openness is its engagement with the community, especially in educational settings. Projects like SAMHE (Schools Air Quality Monitoring for Health and Education) highlight the dual goals of scientific research and student engagement. By providing 2,000 monitors to schools, SAMHE not only gathers valuable data but also educates students on air quality through hands-on experiments, fostering a new generation of environmentally conscious individuals.
Achim shared how this project allows students to conduct experiments, observe real-time data, and understand the impact of air quality on their environment. This hands-on approach not only raises awareness but also empowers students to take action and advocate for cleaner air.
Addressing Global Inequities in Air Quality Monitoring
Achim and Anika highlighted the stark contrast in air quality monitoring distribution globally. The cleanest regions have the most monitors, while the most polluted areas, particularly in Africa and Asia, often lack any monitoring infrastructure. AirGradient aims to address this disparity by making their technology accessible and affordable, thus enabling more equitable monitoring and, ultimately, better health outcomes worldwide.
Achim emphasised that their goal is to help those in the most affected areas, where a single monitor can significantly impact public health. By providing open-source solutions, AirGradient empowers local communities to take control of their air quality.
Future Directions: Integration and Automation
Looking ahead, Achim and Anika envision a future where air quality monitoring is seamlessly integrated into daily life and automated systems. By linking various technologies, the potential for impactful applications expands significantly, making it easier for individuals and communities to take proactive measures to improve air quality.
Achim discussed the possibility of integrating air quality data with urban infrastructure, such as adjusting traffic lights based on pollution levels. Such innovations could drastically reduce exposure to harmful pollutants and improve public health.
AirGradient’s innovative approach to air quality monitoring, rooted in openness and community engagement, offers a promising path forward for the industry. By leveraging the collective knowledge and efforts of a global community, AirGradient is not just surviving but flourishing, setting a new standard for what’s possible in air quality monitoring. Their mission to make air quality data accessible and actionable for everyone is a testament to the power of open-source collaboration in addressing some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
Achim and Anika's insights provide a glimpse into a future where air quality monitoring is not just about data collection but about making meaningful changes that improve lives. As AirGradient continues to grow and inspire others, we look forward to seeing how their innovative approach will shape the industry.