Metrological Characterization of Low-Cost Sensors for Real-Time Environmental Monitoring Systems in Mobile Applications

This work presents the preliminary metrological characterization of a low-cost environmental monitoring system designed for mobile applications, such as scooters and boats. The system integrates compact commercial sensors for environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, barometric pressure) and air quality evaluation (concentrations of carbon dioxide - CO₂ - and carbon monoxide – CO -), interfaced with a Raspberry Pi for real-time data acquisition. GPS tracking is included to enable georeferenced environmental mapping. The focus of this study is the experimental evaluation of sensor performance under controlled laboratory conditions using reference precision instruments. Temperature and humidity sensors were characterized in a climatic chamber, while gas sensors were tested in a customized flow chamber with controlled gas mixtures. Uncertainties were estimated according to the GUM guidelines, highlighting systematic deviations and linearity issues in some low-cost models. These results represent key steps toward the development of reliable, portable and cost-effective vices for dense and dynamic environmental monitoring.