Problem Statement

Scientists studying aquatic ecosystems currently use multiple instruments to get data about the rivers they’re working with. These instruments require manual, in-the-field data collection at sites that can be hours away. Off-the-shelf instruments that can automatically collect data are expensive and have a limited selection of sensors. Our river data collection device is meant as a technological aid to researchers studying various types of river qualities that might be hard to reach in person. Our aim is to semi-automate the process of collecting this data and reduce in-person instruction at research river sites that could be miles away. The main significance of this project is to promote automation in the data collection process and to provide a virtual alternative for researchers that are unable to travel to the research site.