About the ecoids …
Developed by digital experts at -i-DAT at Plymouth University, ecoids are devices that allow remote sensing of environmental factors such as light levels, temperature, humidity and wind strength.
Each ecoid monitors its local environment and regularly sends data using wireless signals to a central computer.
Ecoids are constructed from commonly available electronic components built around a programmable XBee radio chip. They are particularly suitable for ‘citizen science’ and for use in schools.
Still in development, they are currently battery powered and not yet fully calibrated with standard measurements. They give readings across a range 0-1023 where 0 indicates the lowest temperature, light level or humidity, but the highest wind strength.
… and Foreign Soil
Foreign Soil is an art project focused on the research and design of a hypothetical scheme for growing dessert bananas outdoors in the UK. By suggesting the imposition of this tropical alien on the traditional Devon countryside, the project opens up space for conversations about what it means to eat locally produced food and the implications of climate change for UK food production and lifestyles.
Gabrielle Hoad is the lead artist on Foreign Soil, which is being carried out in collaboration with organicARTS and West Town Farm, with support from i-DAT. Often drawing on scientific representations of the natural world as source material, Gabrielle has an ongoing interest in bird flight and a developing interest in horticulture and food production. www.gabriellehoad.co.uk
The story so far …
Environmental monitoring is being carried out at West Town Farm to identify potential microclimates where more tender crops could be grown. At the moment, we are running a pilot project with eight prototype ecoids in close range of the farmyard. During this pilot project we hope the ecoids will collect and send data every 40 minutes, day and night, for about one month. For updates on the project visit britishbanana.blogspot.com The ecoid data can be seen in its early stages here