Crowdsourced Air-Quality Monitoring Using the FAVORIOT Developer Plan

1. Project concept

Malaysia AirWatch is a citizen-supported air-quality monitoring project. Schools, universities, community groups, businesses and individual volunteers install low-cost sensor stations at their locations.

Each station measures local air conditions and sends the readings to the FAVORIOT platform. The combined data appears on a public map showing air-quality patterns across Malaysia.

The project does not replace the Department of Environment’s official monitoring stations. It provides denser, neighbourhood-level observations that may help people identify local changes, pollution hotspots and unusual events.

The basic flow is:

flowchart LR
    A["Community sensor"] --> B["Wi-Fi or 4G"]
    B --> C["FAVORIOT"]
    C --> D["Quality checks"]
    D --> E["Public map"]
    D --> F["Alerts and analysis"]

2. Project objectives

The project should pursue five clear objectives:

1. Collect PM2.5 and PM10 data from many Malaysian locations.
2. Build a public community air-quality map.
3. involve schools, universities and citizens in environmental monitoring.
4. Detect unusual pollution patterns at neighbourhood level.
5. Create a national dataset for education, research and public awareness.

A good pilot target would be:

• 100 monitoring stations
• At least 10 states
• Urban, suburban and rural locations
• One reading every five minutes
• Six months of continuous operation
• At least 85% station uptime

3. Why the FAVORIOT Developer Plan fits

The current Developer Plan costs RM300 per month or RM3,000 per year. It includes:

• 500,000 API calls per day
• Unlimited devices
• Unlimited private and public dashboards
• Up to 30 widgets per dashboard
• Map widgets
• Device connectivity status
• Data import and export
• Edge Gateway
• Firmware OTA
• Advanced analytics and machine-learning models
• Email and Telegram notifications
• HTTP POST forwarding to external systems
• Customer accounts with designated access
• One-year data retention

These features make it suitable for a national crowdsourcing pilot. ⁠FAVORIOT pricing page

Estimated platform capacity

If each station sends one message every five minutes:

288\ messages\ per\ station\ per\ day

Theoretically, one Developer Plan can support about 1,700 stations at five-minute intervals. A safer operational ceiling would be around 1,300 to 1,500 stations, leaving capacity for testing, device management, retries and external applications.

4. Choose what the stations will measure

Required measurements

Every station should measure:

• PM2.5
• PM10
• Temperature
• Relative humidity

Temperature and humidity matter because low-cost particulate sensors can be affected by environmental conditions.

Optional measurements

Selected research-grade stations may also measure:

• Carbon dioxide
• Carbon monoxide
• Nitrogen dioxide
• Ozone
• Volatile organic compounds
• Atmospheric pressure
• Noise level

I would not put every sensor into the first version. Gas sensors can produce misleading readings without proper calibration. Start with PM2.5, PM10, temperature and humidity.

5. Build the standard AirWatch station

Recommended components

For locations without Wi-Fi, use:

• 4G LTE router or modem
• LoRaWAN gateway where local coverage exists
• Store-and-forward memory when connectivity is interrupted

Estimated hardware cost

These are planning estimates. The final cost depends on sensor model, enclosure, power and connectivity.

6. Define where sensors may be installed

Participants should place stations:

• Under a sheltered outdoor area
• Between 1.5 and 3 metres above ground
• Away from kitchen exhausts
• Away from cigarette-smoking areas
• Away from direct rain
• Away from air-conditioning outlets
• With unrestricted airflow
• Where the Wi-Fi signal is stable
• Where power is continuously available

The project should record the installation environment:

• Roadside
• Residential
• School
• University
• Industrial vicinity
• Commercial
• Rural
• Agricultural
• Coastal
• Forest-edge

Without this context, two readings may appear comparable when they are actually taken under very different conditions.

7. Create the FAVORIOT project structure

Create the following hierarchy in FAVORIOT:

Project

Malaysia AirWatch

Applications

• Community Air Quality Monitoring
• Station Health Monitoring
• Research and Analytics
• Public Air Quality Map

Groups

Groups can represent states:

• Johor
• Kedah
• Kelantan
• Melaka
• Negeri Sembilan
• Pahang
• Penang
• Perak
• Perlis
• Sabah
• Sarawak
• Selangor
• Terengganu
• Kuala Lumpur
• Putrajaya
• Labuan

For a larger deployment, create subgroups using districts or station categories.

Device naming convention

Use a consistent device ID:

MY-[STATE]-[DISTRICT]-[NUMBER]

Examples:

• MY-SGR-PUCHONG-001
• MY-JHR-JB-003
• MY-SWK-KUCHING-012

Do not use a volunteer’s name, house address or telephone number in the device ID.

8. Design the data payload

Each station should send a consistent JSON payload:

{
  "device_developer_id": "MY-SGR-PUCHONG-001@username",
  "data": {
    "pm1": 8.4,
    "pm25": 18.7,
    "pm10": 31.2,
    "temperature": 29.8,
    "humidity": 71.4,
    "latitude": 3.0321,
    "longitude": 101.6185,
    "location_type": "residential",
    "firmware_version": "1.0.0",
    "sensor_model": "PMS5003",
    "wifi_rssi": -63,
    "uptime_seconds": 86420,
    "quality_flag": "raw"
  }
}

FAVORIOT supports HTTPS, MQTT, WebSocket and CoAP for device connectivity. Each device can be given its own access token rather than sharing the account’s main API key. ⁠FAVORIOT platform documentation

9. Protect participant privacy

Exact household coordinates should not be displayed publicly.

Use two location levels:

• Exact coordinates: kept in the private administration records.
• Public coordinates: rounded or displaced by approximately 500 metres to 1 kilometre.

Public participants should see only:

• Station ID
• General area
• District and state
• Latest readings
• Historical trend
• Station status
• Sensor type
• Last update time

The registration form should explain:

• What information will be collected
• Which information will be public
• Who owns the contributed data
• How the data may be used
• How participants can withdraw
• Whether researchers may download the dataset

10. Develop the sensor firmware

The ESP32 firmware should perform these steps:

1. Start the particulate, temperature and humidity sensors.
2. Connect to Wi-Fi.
3. Synchronise the clock.
4. Allow the particulate sensor to stabilise.
5. Take several readings.
6. Remove clearly invalid measurements.
7. Calculate a short average.
8. Send the payload to FAVORIOT over HTTPS or MQTTS.
9. Confirm successful transmission.
10. Save failed readings locally.
11. Retry when connectivity returns.
12. Report station-health information.
13. Check for firmware updates.

Recommended sampling:

• Read sensors every 30 seconds.
• Calculate the median or trimmed mean over five minutes.
• Send one consolidated message every five minutes.

This reduces noise and consumes fewer API calls than transmitting every raw reading.

11. Test ten prototype stations

Do not immediately distribute 100 stations. Build ten prototypes first.

Place them in several conditions:

• Two beside an official or trusted reference station
• Two at universities
• Two at schools
• Two in residential areas
• One near a busy road
• One in a rural area

Run them for four weeks. During testing, check:

• Differences between units
• Humidity effects
• Missing data
• Sensor drift
• Wi-Fi failures
• Heat inside the enclosure
• Rain protection
• Firmware stability

Put all ten units beside one another for several days before deployment. This co-location test reveals whether one sensor consistently reads higher or lower than the others.

12. Create data-quality rules

Crowdsourced measurements require visible quality labels.

Suggested quality flags

Automatic checks

Flag a reading when:

• PM2.5 or PM10 is negative
• PM2.5 is far higher than PM10
• Temperature or humidity is outside plausible limits
• The same reading repeats for an unusually long time
• The value changes too sharply between intervals
• The station has weak connectivity
• The device clock is wrong
• Readings diverge greatly from nearby stations

A high reading from one low-cost station should be treated as a signal to investigate, not proof of a pollution incident.

13. Build the FAVORIOT dashboards

Public national dashboard

Include:

• Map of all active stations
• Latest PM2.5 readings
• Colour-coded air-quality categories
• National average
• Highest current readings
• State comparison
• Twenty-four-hour trend
• Last update time
• Explanation of the quality flags
• Clear non-regulatory disclaimer

State dashboard

Include:

• State map
• District comparison
• Hourly PM2.5 and PM10 trends
• Seven-day trend
• Active and offline stations
• Locations with unusual readings

Technical dashboard

Keep this private for administrators:

• Device connectivity status
• Wi-Fi strength
• Last message time
• Firmware version
• Sensor age
• Missing-data rate
• Battery or power status
• Stations requiring maintenance

Research dashboard

Include:

• PM2.5 versus humidity correlation
• Weekday versus weekend patterns
• Morning and evening peaks
• Urban versus rural comparisons
• Seasonal trends
• Anomaly detection
• Time-series forecasts

14. Configure rules and alerts

Create platform rules for:

Air-quality alerts

• PM2.5 exceeds the project threshold for three consecutive readings
• PM10 rises sharply within 30 minutes
• Several nearby stations detect the same increase

Station-health alerts

• No data for 20 minutes
• Device repeatedly reconnects
• Wi-Fi strength remains poor
• Sensor produces fixed values
• Firmware is outdated

Send technical alerts to the project team through Telegram or email. Avoid sending public health alerts until the measurements and interpretation method have been properly reviewed.

15. Recruit contributors

Potential participants include:

• Public and private universities
• Secondary schools
• TVET institutions
• Local councils
• Resident associations
• Environmental NGOs
• Makerspaces
• Technology companies
• Factories and industrial parks
• Farms and plantations
• Citizen scientists

Participation models

Sponsor a station

A company pays for stations to be installed at schools or community centres.

Build your own station

Universities, students and makers assemble a station using the approved design.

Host a station

FAVORIOT supplies the station while the participant provides electricity, Wi-Fi and a suitable location.

Research partner

A university supports calibration, analysis and publication.

16. Create the contributor onboarding process

Every participant follows the same steps:

1. Apply through an online form.
2. Provide the general proposed location.
3. Choose to build, sponsor or host a station.
4. Accept the data-sharing and privacy terms.
5. Receive a station ID and QR code.
6. Follow the installation guide.
7. Upload installation photographs.
8. Run the station for a seven-day probation period.
9. Pass the data-quality review.
10. Appear on the public map.

The QR code can open the public station page and display its readings, history and validation status.

17. Run a 12-week pilot

18. Pilot budget

Ten-station pilot

Internal staff time, travel across Malaysia and the development of a separate public web application would need their own allocation.

19. Success indicators

Technical indicators

• At least 85% station uptime
• At least 95% valid readings
• Less than 10% missing data
• Data delivered within ten minutes
• All stations remotely identifiable
• Firmware updates completed without visiting every station

Participation indicators

• Ten states represented during the first phase
• At least 20 partner organisations
• At least 100 active contributors
• At least five participating universities
• At least ten participating schools

Data indicators

• Six months of usable observations
• Verified co-location results
• Published data-quality method
• Monthly community air-quality reports
• At least three research or student projects using the data

20. How the project can grow

Phase 1: Ten-station technical pilot

Prove the sensor, firmware, platform and data-quality process.

Phase 2: One hundred community stations

Expand through universities, schools and resident associations.

Phase 3: Five hundred stations

Bring in local councils, corporate sponsors and environmental groups.

Phase 4: National operational network

Move to an Enterprise or dedicated arrangement when the project needs:

• Multiple administrative organisations
• Longer data retention
• Higher API volume
• Dedicated infrastructure
• Formal service levels
• Stronger data-governance controls
• Links with government or emergency systems

21. Important public disclaimer

The dashboard should carry a clear statement:

Malaysia AirWatch uses low-cost community sensors to provide local environmental observations. Its readings are indicative and may be affected by sensor accuracy, placement, humidity and maintenance. The data should not be treated as an official Malaysian Air Pollutant Index or used alone for medical, regulatory or emergency decisions. Refer to the relevant Malaysian authorities for official air-quality information.

Suggested project message

Your neighbourhood’s air should not be invisible.

Malaysia AirWatch allows schools, universities, communities and citizens to help measure the air around them. One sensor may tell us what is happening at one location. Hundreds of connected sensors can help us see patterns across the country.

Build a station. Host a station. Sponsor a community. Help Malaysia see the air we breathe.

Local councils often grapple with an array of complex issues that impede progress.

Without integrating Smart City IoT platforms, these problems are magnified, threatening the very fabric of efficient and sustainable city management.

While diverse, I have observed that these challenges share a common root in the absence of advanced technological integration.

Integration Woes

The first area for improvement is integrating new technologies with the existing infrastructure.

In my experience, this often results in a patchwork of solutions that fail to communicate effectively with one another, leading to a fragmented system fraught with inefficiencies and disjointed services.

This stifles innovation and engenders frustration among stakeholders striving for progress.

Scalability Strains

As urban areas expand, the need for services to grow in tandem becomes evident.

Without the flexibility offered by IoT platforms, scaling up to meet the demands of urban growth becomes a Herculean task.

The strain on the existing systems can lead to a potential degradation in the quality of services provided to the community, affecting the reputation and trust in local governance.

The Great Divide — Communication Barriers

A profound challenge lies in the administrative body’s need for unified communication channels.

Siloed departments result in a fragmented flow of information, thereby crippling the coordination of city services.

This issue becomes critically pronounced in emergencies where a seamless response is crucial for the well-being of citizens.

Inefficiency in Resource Management

Another central pain point is the inefficient use of resources.

I’ve witnessed local councils battle rising operational costs and inefficiencies in service delivery due to the lack of IoT platforms.

The laborious task of maintaining disparate systems and databases independently is both time-consuming and costly.

The Data Dilemma: Inadequate Utilization

The inability to utilize the data collected effectively can be a major setback.

Without robust data integration and analysis capabilities, real-time monitoring and informed decision-making remain a far-fetched dream, leaving councils a step behind in understanding and reacting to the needs of their city.

Complexities in Device Management

Managing an increasing array of devices and sensors spread across the urban landscape is an overwhelming task when handled manually.

The complexities and time demands of such an undertaking are significant, often requiring a disproportionate allocation of resources that could be better utilized elsewhere.

Security — The Invisible Threat

The vulnerability of a city’s infrastructure without IoT platforms is alarming.

Enforcing consistent security policies across all devices and systems becomes a daunting challenge, exposing the network to potential cyber-attacks and unauthorized access to sensitive information.

The Path to Smart City Transformation

Acknowledging these challenges is the first step toward transformation.

As we delve into the intricacies of each problem, the opportunity for technological intervention becomes increasingly apparent.

Smart City IoT platforms are a great solution, offering a pathway to a more interconnected, scalable, and secure urban environment.

Envisioning a Connected Future

As a decision-maker within a local council, envisioning a connected future is not merely aspirational; it’s essential for the progression of our city’s heartbeat.

A Smart City IoT Platform is not just a tool — it’s the bridge to this future.

It promises to bind disparate elements into streamlined services, optimized resources, and empowered decision-making.

The transition to such a platform is the catalyst for urban revitalization.

Adopting Smart Solutions

Confronted with the daunting list of challenges, our council has to take definitive action.

Implementing a Smart City IoT Platform is not a luxury — it’s a necessity.

We must leverage this technology into a cohesive and resilient network.

Crafting Cohesion through Technology

Integration no longer has to be a struggle.

With a Smart City IoT Platform, disparate systems can seamlessly mesh, improving efficiency and service delivery.

Our existing infrastructure can be augmented and made future-proof, ready to accommodate new technologies without disrupting past endeavors.

Scaling Up with Confidence

Scalability becomes manageable with IoT platforms.

These systems are designed for flexibility, enabling us to expand services as the city flourishes without compromising quality or performance.

This means keeping pace with growth and fostering an environment where innovation thrives.

Enhancing Communication for Effective Governance

Communication barriers are dismantled with the adoption of a unified platform.

Information flows freely between departments, enabling data sharing that supports coordinated efforts across all city services.

In emergencies, this could mean the difference between chaos and order.

Optimizing Resources for Sustainability

IoT platforms that optimize resource use and improve city service efficiency can address resource management inefficiencies.

Through intelligent resource utilization, not only can operational costs be reduced, but the environmental impact of our urban center can also be lessened.

Harnessing Data for Smarter Decisions

With robust data integration and analysis capabilities, we move from being reactive to proactive.

Decision-making becomes data-driven, with real-time monitoring allowing us to respond swiftly and intelligently to various urban scenarios.

Simplifying Complexity in Device Management

The complexity of device management becomes a thing of the past as we embrace remote management of an array of devices and sensors.

This saves time and resources and ensures that our city’s infrastructure remains cutting-edge and fully functional.

Fortifying Security in a Digital Age

Lastly, the heightened security vulnerability can be mitigated.

IoT platforms enforce stringent security policies across all devices and systems, safeguarding our city’s data and infrastructure from cyber threats and ensuring the privacy and trust of our citizens.

Building the Cities of Tomorrow, Today

By acknowledging our shortcomings and decisively implementing a Smart City IoT Platform, the council can commit to transforming our city into a more efficient, sustainable, and secure city.

The benefits are clear, the technology is available, and the time is now.

We’re not just solving today’s challenges — we’re laying the groundwork for the cities of tomorrow.

Favoriot offers a Smart IoT Platform on the public cloud or enterprise-based (on-premise). To know more, schedule an appointment with Favoriot.

Click here for more stories about IoT and Smart Cities.

This article, “Why do Smart Cities Require an IoT Platform?,” was originally published in Medium.

Accurate and reliable rainfall measurement is critical across various fields, including hydrology, agriculture, meteorology, forestry, and environmental monitoring.

Introducing a compact rain sensor, notable for its small size but extraordinary accuracy, is reshaping the landscape of rainfall measurement.

Let’s explore the innovative features and diverse applications of this rain sensor set to redefine environmental monitoring standards.

A Fusion of Compactness and Precision

One of the most remarkable aspects of this rain sensor is its compact design.

This isn’t just about conserving space; it’s about enhancing efficiency and usability in various environments.

The sensor is precisely engineered to capture rainfall data, distinguishing even the minutest measurements with a resolution of 0.2 mm (6.28 mL).

It reliably records rainfall, ensuring that each detail is meticulously accounted for, setting a new benchmark in data quality, irrespective of its compact dimensions.

Built to Last: Durability and Consistency

In the world of environmental monitoring, stability and durability are non-negotiable.

This rain sensor excels in these aspects, a construction that promises consistent performance over time.

Made from high-strength ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), a material renowned for its toughness and resilience to environmental stressors, the sensor is well-equipped to endure the rigors of outdoor conditions.

This durability ensures that it remains a dependable instrument for long-term field deployment.

Innovative Insect-Proof Feature for Flawless Data Collection

A distinctive feature of this sensor is its insect-proof outlet screen.

This ingenious addition is crucial for preserving the integrity and continuity of data collection.

It guarantees smooth operation and accurate data recording — an essential quality for comprehensive environmental studies by thwarting insects from infiltrating and obstructing the sensor’s mechanism.

The Tipping Bucket: Sensitive and Accurate Rainfall Measurement

The intricately designed tipping bucket is at the core of the sensor’s technology.

This key component is crucial for accurately measuring rainfall. The tipping bucket is engineered for minimal resistance, allowing it to respond rapidly and accurately to varying rainfall intensities.

With a maximum measured rainfall intensity of 4 mm/min and a maximum allowable intensity of 8 mm/min, it’s exceptionally suited for capturing accurate data, particularly in regions with variable rainfall patterns.

Broad-Spectrum Applications: From Hydrology to Field Monitoring

The utility of this rain sensor spans a wide range of fields:

• Hydrology: Providing hydrologists with precise rainfall data is fundamental for water resource management, flood forecasting, and understanding hydrological cycles.
• Agriculture: In agriculture, rainfall measurement is vital for crop yield and health, aiding in efficient water management, irrigation planning, and agricultural research.
• Meteorology: For meteorologists, accurate rainfall data is a cornerstone of weather prediction, climate change studies, and issuing timely weather advisories.
• Forestry: Rainfall data plays a significant role in forestry for ecosystem management, fire risk assessment, forest health monitoring, and biodiversity conservation.
• Field Monitoring Stations: The sensor is invaluable to environmental researchers and scientists for long-term ecological monitoring and research across diverse ecosystems.

Videos of the Environmental Sensors:

1 — Smart Mini Weather Station

https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FCzp4ZiiC0kw%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DCzp4ZiiC0kw&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FCzp4ZiiC0kw%2Fhqdefault.jpg&key=a19fcc184b9711e1b4764040d3dc5c07&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube

2 — Smart Environmental IoT Solution

3 — Smart Mini Weather Station — Favoriot Dashboard

Using Favoriot to Collect, Aggregate, and Visualise Data

The Favoriot IoT platform provides a comprehensive solution for managing Internet of Things (IoT) applications, focusing on data collection, aggregation, and visualization. Here’s a simple description of how Favoriot achieves this:

1. Data Collection: Favoriot offers a seamless way to connect and collect data from various IoT devices and sensors deployed across different locations. It supports multiple communication protocols, enabling it to gather data efficiently from various devices, including environmental sensors.
2. Data Aggregation: Favoriot aggregates this information in its cloud-based platform once data is collected (another option is to have the platform on-premise). This process involves consolidating data from multiple sources, ensuring it is accurately synchronized and organized for further analysis. The aggregation layer is crucial for handling large volumes of data and transforming it into a structured format that is easier to analyze.
3. Data Visualization: Favoriot provides powerful visualization tools that allow users to understand and interpret their IoT data. Users can create graphical representations of their data through customizable dashboards, such as charts, graphs, and maps. These visualizations help identify trends, patterns, and anomalies, making it easier for businesses and individuals to make informed decisions based on real-time data insights.

The Favoriot IoT platform simplifies the complex process of managing IoT data by offering robust data collection, aggregation, and visualization tools. This enables users to harness the full potential of their IoT devices, leading to improved decision-making, enhanced operational efficiency, and the ability to uncover new opportunities through data-driven insights.

A Milestone in Environmental Technology

The compact rain sensor is more than just an innovation; it’s a leap forward in environmental monitoring technology.

Its amalgamation of high accuracy, robust stability, insect-proof design, and precision-engineered tipping bucket positions it as an essential tool in many fields.

Whether for resource management, agricultural development, weather forecasting, forest conservation, or scientific research, this sensor provides indispensable data for informed decision-making and a deeper understanding of our natural world.

With this advanced technology at our disposal, we are better prepared than ever to meet the challenges of managing and preserving our environment for future generations.

Check out other sensors to complete your Smart Environmental Monitoring System:

1 — Wind Sensor

Interested to know more?

Contact Favoriot to schedule an appointment or get further details.

This article, “Rainfall Measurements Using IoT Monitoring With Use Case Scenarios,” was originally published on Medium.