The graphical user interface of the Kooha social sensing network application of the DOST-ASTI. (Contributed photo)
Did you know that there is a photo-sharing mobile application in the Philippines that allows you to become a citizen scientist?
This application is called “Kooha” which was developed under the research and development projects of the Department of Science and Technology – Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST-ASTI).
Derived from the Filipino word “kuha” which means “take” or “capture,” Kooha enables users to take pleasure in creating memories through photography while contributing to the existing body of knowledge in the scientific field.
How Kooha works
Just like other photo-sharing applications, it only takes few easy steps to make use of Kooha:
Capture: The first step is to take a photo using the Kooha mobile application. Since it is equipped with real-time built-in sensors that can be used to generate relevant data on the photo taken, uploading or importing images from the phone’s local source is not supported. Once the photo is taken, the application will generate sensor data including the location, temperature, humidity, sound, magnetic field, proximity, and luminance, among others.
Enhance: Kooha contains various display templates for better visual presentation of sensor data. This will allow users to blend the data to the photo with ease.
Share: Photos can be uploaded for sharing in the Kooha community where other users can view the sensor data which might be helpful to them.
Explore: In return, users can see the photos uploaded by others in the community to gain insights.
Who should use Kooha?
The sensor data provided by Kooha is helpful in drawing insights and making informed decisions relevant to different sectors in society.
While the Kooha application caters to enthusiasts who want to fulfill their scientific curiosity, its utilization is particularly beneficial among students and researchers from business, telecommunications, environment, transportation, health, and tourism sectors.
Kooha as a disaster response mechanism
Data from Kooha can also be helpful in responding to emergency situations. During a typhoon, for instance, the application can be used to capture and share situation images in the Kooha community for awareness and incident reporting.
The photo will not only provide the specific location and weather information in the area but also the overview of the environmental conditions to allow emergency responders to deliver the necessary assistance.
In addition, the innovative features of the Kooha also include data on the network signal strength of users’ mobile phones which is vital information for the improvement of the country’s telecommunication services. The Kooha community map will determine the number of cell sites and whether or not there is a need to build more.
Where to get Kooha
The Kooha mobile application can be downloaded for free through the Google Play Store.
Since its inception in 2021, Kooha has already reached over 1,000 downloads by different users around the world and generated more than 3,000 sensor data from contributors.
Some of the feedback from users primarily refer to the potential of Kooha as an effective data gathering tool. “Really close to perfection. Basically whatever you pic is what you get. Awesome application with its awesome reliability and data gathering,” said Joseph Paloma, a Kooha user.
Kooha is one of the project exhibits in this year’s Advanced Science, Technology, and Innovation Convention (ASTICon) which serves as a platform to showcase the research and technology contributions pioneered by the DOST-ASTI in the establishment of smart cities.
ASTICon is also designed to establish collaborative opportunities between stakeholders from the national government and private sector towards the further development of cost-effective ways to bring science closer to the communities. (JMP/PIA-NCR)
