flood warning systems are often simple networks of rain gauges or stream gauges that are triggered when rain or floodwaters exceed a certain level.
The gauges can then be used to warn those at risk of flooding, whether by text message, which may not be effective in areas with spotty cellphone service; notifications broadcast on TV and radio; or sometimes through a series of sirens.
It doesn’t seem like a basic solution should even cost nearly that much.
Also we’re talking about a life-critical system here. What kind of testing and certification are offered by this software. What about the assembly of the hardware? That process needs oversight as well, it only takes one bad seal for this sensor to fail right at the moment when it should be saving lives. How will the networking be done? How does that network perform in extreme weather? That needs to be tested in-situ for life-critical equipment.
Also we’re talking about a life-critical system here. What kind of testing and certification are offered by this software. What about the assembly of the hardware?
All irrelevant if the alternative is nothing at all. If the barrier is a million dollars being too expensive, get someone with moderate technical skills to spend a few weeks doing their best setting something up, it will still be an improvement.
$1 million to save all those lives is way too much. That’s almost 0.00025% of an Elon Musk
America, as a country, would sooner sacrifice a million children than tax a billionaire to support safety nets like flood warning systems
It doesn’t seem like a basic solution should even cost nearly that much.
This stuff is out in the middle of nowhere and has to survive outside in a harsh climate without utilities or proper road access.
Even then I don’t see why something like this wouldn’t work. If not, you could spend 100x more money and still be nowhere close to a million.
Those can’t build and install themselves…
Also we’re talking about a life-critical system here. What kind of testing and certification are offered by this software. What about the assembly of the hardware? That process needs oversight as well, it only takes one bad seal for this sensor to fail right at the moment when it should be saving lives. How will the networking be done? How does that network perform in extreme weather? That needs to be tested in-situ for life-critical equipment.
I could go on…
All irrelevant if the alternative is nothing at all. If the barrier is a million dollars being too expensive, get someone with moderate technical skills to spend a few weeks doing their best setting something up, it will still be an improvement.