Q Why is it in News ?
A
- Recently, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar, Punjab has developed a first-of-its-kind IoT (Internet of Things) device–AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines and even body organs and blood.
- The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub–AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and it's Startup ScratchNest.
Q What is Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub (AWaDH) ?
A
- AWaDH is a research center at IIT Ropar established with support from the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) to carry out extensive research in the field of agriculture and water.
Q What is AmbiTAG ?
A
- This is shaped as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device.
- It is India's first indigenous temperature data logger for cold chain management.
- It continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge.
- Most of the similar devices available in the international market record data only for a duration of 30- 60 days.
- It generates an alert when the temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit.
- The recorded data can be retrieved by connecting the USB with any computer.
Q What is its Significance ?
A
- Besides perishable items including vegetables, meat and dairy products, it can also monitor the temperature of animal semen during transit.
- The device will be made available to all companies involved in Covid-19 vaccine transportation from production facilities to the last mile vaccination centers in the country.
- It is a push towards Atmanirbhar Bharat as such devices are being imported by India in a massive quantity from other countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, and China.
