After the Hackday
Andrew LindsayHackference 2.0.14
19/09/2014
Who am I?
• Freelance software developer• Geek/tinkerer/maker• Worked in Cable TV, Water quality
instrumentation, ISP, Telecoms, Finance & Loyalty systems.
• Beer, Metal & Motorcycles• 3D Printing & Building a CNC Cutter
Types of Hackday
• With a conference• New Data/API/Hardware Hackathon• For a cause or purpose• Research and Development• Internal Company• App building• Demographic group• General
Why do attend a hackday?
• Prizes• Learning new things• Free pizza, coffee and beer• A Challenge• Show off their skills• Fun
Hackday Tips
• Create a repository on Github/Bitbucket
• Give all team members access• Encourage code sharing• Briefly document your work – wiki• Take photographs• Have fun!
The Oxford Flood Network
• Guerilla sensor network• Community involvement• A number of cheap river level
monitors• Basement/cellar flooding monitors• Make data freely available• Free to build your own apps
Sushack #1
• Single day event in Oxford, Nov 2013• Sponsored by 2degrees• Sustainability and environmental
theme• Around a dozen attendees• Mix of skillsets• All wanted to work on Flood network• End to end system demonstrated in a
day!
First sensor and display
Oxford flood network is born
• Arduino based ultrasonic sensor• Ciseco ISM band radio modules• Raspberry Pi gateway running Node-
RED• Backend database• Web and mobile mapping, heatmaps
Flood Network Team
Ben WardAndrew Lindsay
Early field trials
River level Sensor Version 2
Version 2 field trials
Open City Competition• Run by Eyehub• Final at House of Lords• Prizes!
Internet of Things Showcase
River level Sensor Version 3
River level Sensor Version 3
Funding the project
• Prototype sensors funded by ourselves
• Applied to Technology Strategy Board
• Nominet are buying first 10 sensors• Parts cost £130
Oxford TVWS Trial
• Love-Hz running Ofcom licensed TVWS trial
• Equipment bought by Nominet• River level sensors provide the
application• Other sensor applications being
devised• Nominet building back-end system• Sensor data will be freely available
WutheringBytes
• A festival of technology in Hebden Bridge
• Talks and workshops• Took sensor kits, interested people
built them• Deployed sensor
CDE Catapult
• Connected Digital Economy Catapult• 7 Catapults covering different areas• Setup by Technology Strategy Board• No funding but support & expertise
via technology and innovation centres
• Organise events for startups/SMEs• Oxfloodnet to exhibit at Euston
showcase opening in November
The Future
• First 10 sensors soon to be deployed• Work to improve radio range• Develop front end web applications• Make kits available• Alternative sensors• Other Cities• Can you help?
Lessons Learnt
• Take photos and document your work• Show people, talk to people• If it works on the desk, will it work
under a bridge?• They make waterproof sensors for a
reason!• Have fun and enjoy your project.
Credits and Links• Ben Ward - @Crouchingbadger• Sushack.co.uk• Ciseco plc - shop.ciseco.co.uk• Ragworm – ragworm.eu• Oxford Flood Network oxfloodnet.co.uk• LoveHz - love-hz.com• Google Group – oxfloodnet• Thing Innovations – thinginnovations.uk
Thanks for hanging out with me!
Q&A?