Fab Lab Barcelona, Seeed Studio Launch the Next-Generation Smart Citizen Kit 2.3
Civilian scientist environmental monitoring platform gets a major upgrade, including a move to a new Sensirion SEN50 PM sensor.
Fab Lab Barcelona and Seeed Studio, working with the Institute for Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC) and the European Commission, have announced an updated version of the Smart Citizen Kit, the SCK2.3 — aiming to deliver everything you need to do a little science in the comfort of your home or classroom.
"The new SCK collects environmental data more accurately and it's easier to use," claims Seeed's Estella Tang of the revised kit. "Likewise, it introduces new sensors and a more robust firmware loaded with features, while maintaining everything that made the previous versions great! Designed to empower citizen scientists, researchers, educators, and environmentally-conscious individuals, this comprehensive tool enables users to monitor various environmental parameters while providing a complete platform and tools to foster open data collection and community engagement."
The original Smart Citizen Kit launched back in 2012, as a Fab Lab Barcelona project to help communities deploy cloud-connected environmental sensors. In the years since, it's received a range of upgrades — with the SCK2.3 being, its creators say, the best version yet, packing the same temperature, humidity, sound, and light sensors as its predecessor but with the addition of ultraviolet measurement and an improved particular matter (PM) air quality sensor. Additional sensors can be connected over Grove headers.
Specifically, the new kit features the Sensirion SHT31 air temperature and humidity sensor, the Sensirion SEN50 PM1/2.5/4/10 particulate matter sensor with the option to swap it out for other SEN5x-series models, a TDK ICS43432 noise level sensor, Rohm BH1721FVC ambient light sensor, NXP MPL3115A2S barometric pressure sensor, and an ams OSRAM AS7331 UVA, UVB, and UVC sensor. Everything is powered via a bundled 2,000mAh lithium-polymer battery or over micro-USB.
The Smart Citizen Kit 2.3 is now up for pre-order on Seeed's store at $149; the company is offering early-bird customers a ten percent discount with code "Smartcitizen" if ordered before 20 December.