Not far from today, our mobile phones will be able to jointly work together to detect radiation in certain areas, pollen, sun intensity, pollution, and more. Purdue University, of which I’m a proud alum, recently reported that they are building a system for the state of Indiana that detect radiation via a network of mobile phones. In an event of a nuclear leak, for example, the sensors of a large number of phones could collectively notify authorities of the exact location of such a leak through GPS (global positioning system) or cell phone tower triangulation.
So expect more cell phones to start carrying more than just the sensor that picks up cellular signal. These sensors will not necessarily be used for the user’s direct usage, but more for gathering collective data. Such data could be extremely valuable especially that cellular signals allows a great advantage which is specifying ‘location’.
For the benefit of the greater good, such as detecting pollution and harmful leaks, such technologies could be a huge positive leap to humanity. But also imagine the privacy concerns this is going to stir. Big brother watching over you constantly. And if you add to this some smart data analysis, it could be very possible to do quite an accurate behavioral analysis, knowing where you’re at, where you shop, how long you spend anywhere, etc. And imagine having the ability to tie this data to your online identity, yikes! A surveillance system that watches us from below, no longer from above.
Co-founder, www.MiNeeds.com: A new way to shop local services