devicea

Devicea is a modular, portable data-collection device designed for field research, environmental monitoring, and investigative work. It is built to be expandable through a system of swappable sensor modules and a flexible I/O backbone, enabling users to tailor the device to specific measurement tasks while maintaining a common core platform.

The hardware core centers on a compact single-board computer with a 32-bit processor and a low-power design. The device supports a range of swappable sensor modules for parameters such as temperature, humidity, air quality, light, acoustic signals, and GNSS positioning. Power options include a rechargeable internal battery with the option to connect an external supply or solar charging interfaces. Data storage is provided through microSD with optional eMMC, and the device offers multiple connectivity options, including USB-C, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and physical interfaces for external peripherals.

Software and development capabilities are a key focus. Devicea runs an embedded Linux distribution, providing a container-based application environment and easy access for developers. Firmware and sensor modules follow open standards, and there is an emphasis on over-the-air updates, time-stamped logging, and geolocation tagging of records. The platform supports programming in common languages such as Python and C/C++, and includes a documented API for integrating third-party sensors.

Typical applications span environmental and ecological research, agricultural field trials, urban sensing, and geoscience fieldwork. Users value the system’s modularity, open hardware approach, and reusability across projects, though concerns have been raised about cost and the onboarding required to leverage its full capabilities.

See also: open hardware, data logger, environmental sensor, field device.