Smart Dublin: high-tech sensors to monitor life in the capital

Dublin is set to become the first fully sensored global city after chipmaker Intel announced plans to test more than 200 "gateways" around the city.

The plan, which will use Intel’s Irish developed Quark system, will place sensor gateways around the city to gather and monitor data on the environment, including air quality and noise.

The goal of the project is to improve the efficiency of the city and improve quality of life, allowing the city managers to pinpoint areas that need work.

It is envisaged that the project will eventually lead to the development of apps to give people living in the city information on air quality and noise levels around Dublin.

The project puts Dublin on the path to become one of the most densely sensored cities in the world.

Each gateway can have up to six sensors, and can be teamed with the existing open data provided by Dublin City Council on real-time traffic. The project will be backed up by Intel’s “internet of things” research platform, and any data gathered as a result will be provided to interested parties on an open basis.

"Cities are the nexus for the explosion of Internet of Things technologies," said Intel president Renee James. "We imagine Dublin can be a global reference for how technologies might transform cities."

Lord Mayor of Dublin Oisin Quinn described the development as “very exciting”.

“I hope that the city will respond by providing better cycle ways, more trees and making traffic adjustments to reduce areas where air quality is poor or noise levels high,” he said.