Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Aclima via YouTube

Google is about to tell you how dirty the air you are breathing is

The new software to map air quality is being tested in the United States.

GOOGLE HAS BEGUN testing the air quality with its Street View vehicles.

In recent times the company has been pretty innovative with the use of its mapping technology, allowing users to track places  they have previously been, and directions within a number of well-known buildings, including the Guinness factory. 

This new innovation has seen Google team up with Aclima, a company based in San Francisco that produces internet-connected sensors that test the air quality.

The sensors attached to the cars will be able to measure the amount of carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, methane, black carbon, particulate matter and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in the surrounding air.

The air quality is mapped across the different areas of a city, with the concentration of the various chemicals and compounds in the different neighbourhoods clear to see.

A month-long trial has already taken place in the US city of Denver.

Cars drove for 750 hours and produced imagery of areas all across Denver.

map of Denver produced by Aclima Google.org Google.org

The technology is set to be rolled out to the San Francisco Bay Area this Autumn. There is currently no indication as to when it might be used on an international scale.

Speaking about the project, CEO of Aclima Davida Herzl said the move, “lays the foundation for generating high resolution maps of air quality cities”.

Aclima / YouTube

Read: Google Maps knows where you’ve been and it’s making it easier for you to check

Also: Google is moving on from the ‘peeing robot’ controversy

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
3 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds