Open Municipal Hardware

[tamberg]

We'll try to prototype a smart cap for a hydrant plug, that detects when it's removed. There are many smart hydrants - our solution should be simple, attachable to existing caps and available to small municipalities.

Niklaus Lang from Wasserversorgung Sissach und Umgebung (WSU) came up with the idea, and provided an original hydrant cover. To ensure that our design fits different manufacturers, we'd love to see a Zürich model as well. During the Hackday, we'll investigate fixtures, sensors and connectivity. The result shall be published under CC BY-SA, to serve as a starting point for "Open Municipal Hardware".

We're happy about help with design prototypes, functional prototypes and additional hydrant caps :)

[tamberg]

Posted as https://now.makezurich.ch/project/48

[loleg]

Holy cow! 😍

…

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[tamberg]

[gonzalocasas]

@tamberg which kind of sensor would you use to detect removal? something like a reed switch? or more like luminosity sensor?

[tamberg]

Would leave that open, try a few, see what works. Can bring some sensors, accelerometers etc.

[tamberg]

What works depends a bit on available space, I guess. A first prototype might use a printed add-on like this:

[gonzalocasas]

Ok, if you see there's something we could help with sourcing, just post it here.

[Bodu2Kuda]

What works depends a bit on available space, I guess. A first prototype might use a printed add-on like this:

I totaly agree with you, 20 to 30mm hight is no problem for a prototype

[tamberg]

https://www.hawle.ch/en/company/latest-news/detail/article/hydrant-upper-part-h8370/

The newly developed D-Cap from Hawle Armaturen AG - with digital components - connects your line network to your smartphone, computer or tablet.

https://www.hawle.ch/en/services/hydrants/

via https://www.linkedin.com/posts/comtac-ag_h8370-swissmade-d-activity-6640597516633030656-qIcc

[Bodu2Kuda]

https://www.hawle.ch/en/company/latest-news/detail/article/hydrant-upper-part-h8370/

The newly developed D-Cap from Hawle Armaturen AG - with digital components - connects your line network to your smartphone, computer or tablet.

https://www.hawle.ch/en/services/hydrants/

via https://www.linkedin.com/posts/comtac-ag_h8370-swissmade-d-activity-6640597516633030656-qIcc

Hmmm and what do we do now?

[tamberg]

As a competitor company you would look at patents, e.g. https://patents.google.com/?q=(hydrant+cap+hawle)&after=priority:20130101 to either license or work around.

Our project aims for an open source hardware design that could be more or less "self-produced" by the municipality, so I'm not sure if patents apply at all, as there is nobody involved selling a product / making any money?

[tamberg]

As a municipality you would probably ask existing manufacturers for a quote and then decide if you make or buy.

[tamberg]

Swisscom demo of the same idea https://www.linkedin.com/posts/micha-burger-6759b0bb_lorawan-smartcity-iotsolutions-activity-6648558378270416896-Aews