Mechanical engineers from Queensland developed a river device called Drifter, warning of the threat of flooding, the appearance of sewage or the flowering of algae. It looks like a simple PVC tube equipped with sensors that transmit data on the quality and speed of water in real time.
Smart pipes can be an alternative to standard stationary flood monitoring sensors, which are used now. Unlike them, drifters are more mobile and can be thrown into any part of the reservoir, including from a helicopter.
The data is transmitted in real time via Bluetooth and cellular networks using a SIM card, and the GPS sensor shows the exact location of the device. This allows you to quickly find places where there is a threat of flooding.
Field testing of floating and stationary drifters is currently conducted to measure the pH of the water, its turbidity, salinity, temperature and oxygen content. The device can be easily reoriented for measurements in agriculture and waste management.
