Turning Air into Water is Cool—Tracking Every Drop in Real Time is Even Cooler
Australia, being the driest continent on Earth (apart from Antarctica of course), has always faced challenges with water scarcity, particularly in remote areas. As such, water conservation has become a crucial topic of discussion and some communities don't even have enough clean water to drink.
Aqua Ubique is tackling this problem head on (https://aquaubique.com.au/) with their MG10 water machine. The MG10 generates clean drinking water from the surrounding air and humidity through a process known as Atmospheric Water Generation (AWG).
However, one challenge remained: how to ensure fair billing for customers in these remote regions. A fixed pricing model wasn’t ideal, as different users consumed varying amounts of water. The fairest approach? A usage-based billing system—and that’s where we, the Silicon Vandals, came in.
From December 2024 to January 2025, the Vandals set out to develop a smart, reliable, and efficient IoT-based solution for tracking water consumption on the MG10. Our goal was to create a system that could precisely measure water flow and its volume produced, then to transmit real-time usage data which enables for accurate and transparent billing.
Through constant testing and iterations, we built a dual-sensor system that combined solenoid valve timing with pressure-based sensing to ensure high accuracy and reliability. The system smoothly integrates with the MG10 using cellular IoT connectivity via Particle Boron, making it suitable for remote environments without relying on Wi-Fi.
Uses a dual-sensor apporach combining solenoid valve timing and pressure-based sensor to track every drop—whether its a full glass or just a sip.
Powered by Particle Boron with Cat M1 & NB-IoT, so if there's signal, there's data. No WiFi? No Problem.
Custom adapters meaning zero modifications to the MG10. Just attach, connect, and it’s tracking—simple, seamless, and completely reversible.
Enclosed in a custom protective housing case, Mounted securely w the MG10 for maximum durability and signal strength. Rugged and ready to generate water where it's needed most.
Tuned with static offset correction and pressure surge adjustments to keep the error margin below 1%—because every milliliter counts.
With the MG10 IoT module, real-time monitoring is built in. The system can be installed quickly, tracks every drop, and transmits live data, ensuring accurate billing and efficiency in water management.
Housed in a custom made durable enclosure, it smoothly integrates with the MG10. Smarter and more accountable tracking without any complicated setup or invasive modifications.
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