Tag: data

Unlock the Power of Data Narratives in Our “Storytelling with Data” Webinar

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

Are you ready to transform complex data into compelling stories that resonate and drive impact? Join us for our insightful webinar, “Storytelling with Data,” on April 10th at 11:30 AM EDT on LinkedIn Live.

In today’s information-rich world, simply presenting data isn’t enough. True understanding and engagement come from weaving data into compelling narratives. This webinar delves into the art and science of Information Design, demonstrating that it’s far more than just creating charts and graphs. It’s about strategically transforming raw data into meaningful stories that captivate audiences and inspire action.

Our upcoming session brings together a panel of global experts (Gabrielle Merite, Florent Lavergne, Sotirios Papathanasiou, Nicole Lachenmeier, & Maggie Shi ) at the forefront of information design. We’ll explore how mission-driven marketers and environmentally conscious data visualization professionals can leverage the power of storytelling to amplify their message and create lasting impact.

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Air Quality Data & Ownership

Sotirios PapathanasiouLeave a comment

In an age where information is power, the question of who owns the data generated by air quality monitors and sensors has become increasingly important. This is especially true for air quality monitors that provide crucial insights into the air we breathe. While these devices offer valuable information, users should be aware of potential issues related to data ownership and accessibility.   

The Risks of Changing Terms and Closed Systems

In some cases, companies have sold air quality monitors with “unlimited” data storage, only to later change their terms of service and require users to pay for continued access to their own data. This bait-and-switch tactic leaves consumers feeling betrayed and exploited, as they are forced to pay for something they thought they already owned.

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MasterClass: Air Quality Data Visualization with R Studio & Packages

Sotirios Papathanasiou6 Comments

R Studio and its packages are used by hundreds of thousands of people to make millions of plots. I use it to compare air sensor data from different air quality monitors/sensors or to visualize air pollution levels.

In this article we will explore both how we can visualize air quality data from publicly available sources and how you can create statistical correlations between different pollutants or different sensors to find the correlation coefficient or correlation of determination.

First: Get the Right Packages

Packages are collections of functions, data, and compiled code in a well-defined format, created to add specific functionality. Here are some of the packages that we will install inside RStudio and use.

#You can either get ggplot2 by installing the whole tidyverse library
install.packages(tidyverse)

#Alternatively, install just ggplot2
install.packages(ggplot2)

#saqgetr is a package to import European air quality monitoring data in a fast and easy way
install.packages(saqgetr)

#worldmet provides an easy way to access data from the NOAA Integrated Surface Database
install.packages(worldmet)

#Date-time data can be frustrating to work with in R and lubridate can help us fix possible issues
install.packages(lubridate)

#Openair is a package developed for the purpose of analysing air quality data
linstall.packages(openair)
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From Boom to Bust: The Great IoT Air Quality Recession

Sotirios Papathanasiou2 Comments

The once booming Internet of Things (IoT) air quality monitoring market is facing a harsh reality check. Fueled by a surge in AI startups attracting investments and a subsequent saturation of low-cost air quality monitors, the industry is experiencing a period of upheaval. This downturn, dubbed “The Great IoT Air Quality Recession,” is forcing companies to adapt or face extinction. I see many high-profile executives leaving previously thought innovative startups in the realm of air quality in search of a more “stable” future.

A Wave of Investment and Sensor Saturation

AI startups like ChatGTP and similar, promising to leverage the power of machine learning to generate content or analyze data, became investor darlings. This new influx of cash is fueling the decline of IoT low-cost air quality solutions.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the market quickly became saturated with low-cost monitors that promised that will fix indoor and outdoor environments. Buildings were filled with cheap monitors, but actionable insights remained scarce. The promised AI-powered analysis, in many cases, failed to materialize. Consumers were left with a plethora of data points with no clear understanding of what it all meant or what to do.

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