Design of Low-Cost Sensor-Based Solution to Support Thermal Comfort

The effects of global warming caused by human activities have impacted people’s daily lives around the world with more frequency in the last 20 years. It is estimated that by 2050 the global temperature will increase by 3˚C with respect to 2020. These increases in temperature have been noticeable in recent years with heatwaves, extreme temperatures, and draughts, particularly affecting areas with already high temperatures. This paper presents an initial design of a low-cost sensor-based solution to support thermal comfort in homes (rooms or areas in the living space) in the northeast of Mexico, where temperatures already reached 45˚C in 2024. The solution proposed is comprised by three types of ambient sensors (movement, temperature and humidity), and a smart ring wearable sensor. The sensors will first collect data to build a profile of the environment and the users, and then to detect conditions that are not safe for the users, such as extreme high and low temperatures based on their personalised profile. This data will be complemented with thermal comfort surveys and self-perceived health surveys. Relevant information will be displayed to users in a user-friendly dashboard.