Researchers at the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science have introduced a novel approach for reducing electronic waste and advancing sustainable data processing: turning old smartphones into tiny data centres. This low-cost innovation (just 8 euros per phone) offers practical applications from tracking bus passengers to monitoring marine life without needing new tech.
A modern problem
Each year, more than 1.2 billion smartphones are produced globally. The production of electronic devices is not only energy-intensive but also consumes valuable natural resources. Additionally, the manufacturing and delivery processes release a significant amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Meanwhile, devices are ageing faster than ever — users replace their still-functional phones on average every 2 to 3 years. At best, old devices are recycled; at worst, they end up in landfills.
Novel solution
Researchers Huber Flores, Ulrich Norbisrath, and Zhigang Yin from the University of Tartu’s Institute of Computer Science, along with Perseverance Ngoy from the Institute of Technology and their international colleagues developed the alternative use for superseded mobile devices.
“Innovation often begins not with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old, re-imagining its role in shaping the future,” explains Huber Flores, Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing in a research note.
Yesterday’s devices become tomorrow’s opportunities
The scientists demonstrated that old smartphones can be successfully repurposed into tiny data centers capable of efficiently processing and storing data. They also found that building such a data center is remarkably inexpensive.
These tiny data centers have a wide range of applications. For example, they could be used in urban environments like bus stops to collect real-time data on the number of passengers, which could then be used to optimize public transportation networks.
Practical demonstration
In the project’s first stage, the researchers removed the phones’ batteries and replaced them with external power sources to reduce the risk of chemical leakage into the environment. Then, four phones were connected together, fitted with 3D-printed casings and holders, and turned into a working prototype ready to be re-used, fostering sustainable practices for old electronics.
The prototype was successfully tested underwater, where it participated in marine life monitoring by helping to count different sea species. Typically, these kinds of tasks require a scuba diver to record video and bring it to the surface for analysis. However, with the prototype, the whole process was done automatically underwater.
This demonstrates that even with minimal resources, smartphone devices can be given a new purpose, contributing to the development of more environmentally friendly and sustainable digital solutions.
The research appears in the journal IEEE Pervasive Computing, titled “Supporting Sustainable Computing by Repurposing E-Waste Smartphones as Tiny Data Centers.”
