When we started working on Kosmos—Temboo’s unique no-code platform for environmental engagement—we couldn’t have imagined the many amazing ways it’d be put to use.

In a short time, people began measuring everything from soil moisture in city tree beds to pH levels in octopus farms.

Along the way we learned that, while environmental sensor data is useful, it becomes far more powerful when combined with people’s thoughts, ideas, and recommendations. Through context and commentary, environmental sensor data becomes a compelling environmental story—one which educates communities, fosters discussion, and inspires change.

Making Environmental Engagement More Engaging

That’s why we’re excited to announce the release of our new Notes feature.

Notes improves Kosmos by making it simple to add photos and comments to sensor data graphs.

You can now enhance key sensor data events by sharing the stories behind them, making your graphs richer and more human. 

Dig Into The Details

Use the note tray to view notes that you and others have made. Look at what’s happened today, or zoom out to see a broader picture.

Hover on graphs to reveal notes at a glance, scroll the note tray for details, pop open a photo gallery, preview links, and more.

Getting The Most From Notes

Now that you know how Notes works, let’s talk concretely about how it can help you. Environmental engagement—caring about, learning about, and improving the environment—depends on knowing what’s going on. But the environment is not always easy to understand through data alone. Consider the following example, in which the soil moisture levels of a tree-bed are mapped over the course of a week. Someone looking at pure data might not understand a sudden decrease occurring in soil moisture levels:

However, someone looking at a graph with Notes will know exactly what is causing the change.

The additional context provided by Notes enables people to act with confidence: 

As shown above, Notes enables communities to comment on planned and unexpected changes, environmental events, and observed trends. Crucially, it also provides a forum for community discussion and collaboration, as well as an opportunity for education.

“Grassroots action is one of the most powerful tools that we have, and Notes provides a way to make sensor data accessible to more people so that communities can organize around improving the environments that matter most to them.”

Cormac Driver, Head of Product at Temboo.

Adding and reading notes is designed to be as straightforward as possible, so that anyone and everyone can do it. “Our aim with Notes was to include features that make interactive platforms so appealing—things like Kosmojis, photos, and space for discussion,” said Brett Silvers, Design Lead.

These considerations allow anyone, regardless of their technical ability, to contribute. Because Notes works with all of the hardware supported by Kosmos, they can be added to any sensor data stream and read from any computer, tablet, or smartphone.

We believe that environmental engagement is best achieved when anyone and everyone can contribute—regardless of equipment or prior experience. 

Whether measuring air, soil, water, or something else altogether, Kosmos and the new Notes feature support organized, collaborative, and effective environmental storytelling. In turn, these stories lead to education, organization, and action. If this sounds like something you’re interested in, please don’t hesitate to reach out.