Sensor Web Workshop Draws Interdisciplinary Crowd

52°North, the German initiative for geospatial open source software, recently held its annual Sensor Web Workshop at the University of Münster's Insitute for Geoinformatics. Sensor Web enthusiasts and practitioners met with experts at 52°North’s Sensor Web Workshop to share their experience with Sensor Web activities and identify next research and development steps.

The 2 day workshop provided an overview of current and planned Sensor Web projects and activities. More than twenty participants from throughout Europe (e.g. EEA, Wupperverband, IRCEL-CELINE, BfG, BSH, Mines ParisTech, British Antarctic Survey, Helmholtz Centres, etc.) met with 52°North staff and discussed motivations, use cases, implementations, issues and requests regarding current Sensor Web Enablement technologies.

The diverse presentations and discussions demonstrated that Sensor Web technologies (implementations) have branched out into various domains. A number of practical applications for air quality are currently in use throughout Europe. The participants observed an increased need for sensor data analysis tools (e.g. by coupling Sensor Web and R). In addition, the importance of data visualisation led to a growing developer base for the Sensor Web clients. Community Leader Simon Jirka was pleased with the outcome.