Array of things: a scientific research instrument in the public way: platform design and early lessons learned

Abstract

The "Array of Things" (AoT) project aims to create an urban- scale instrument for research and development across many disciplines. The concept is to exploit Internet of Things (IoT) technologies to build an instrument analogous to an array telescope, where many identical detectors spread over an area work as a unit. AoT, then, is an IoT-enabled "telescope" pointed at the city. With support from the National Science Foundation, the University of Chicago, Argonne National Laboratory, the City of Chicago, and industry the project has adapted an Argonne- developed resilient sensor-hosting platform, Waggle, for urban installations. The project will install 500 units, or "nodes," by late 2018, with installation in phases to allow for technology improvements based on evaluation of early installations as well as to enable one or more insertion points for component upgrades and expansions, such as emerging sensors. This paper describes the initial stages of the project, focusing on lessons learned in areas ranging from resilient technical design to manufacturing to privacy policies and public engagement.