Access to wireless Internet connection is practically a must these days. That’s why the iconic CCTV building in China even went through a year-long retrofit to improve Wi-Fi signals for building occupants.
One application is stepping into the direction of Wi-Fi signal visualization. Called Architecture of Radio, the app has been described by Teche Blog as “one of the coolest apps [we've] come across in recent time.”
Users are able to see a 360-degree illustration of Wi-Fi signals around them based on data from seven million cell towers, 19 million Wi-Fi routers, and hundreds of satellites.
The application was created by software developer Richard Vijgen, and can plot not just wireless, but also wired network signals. The catch: signals are not shown in real time, but from a database. In other words, the app “gives you a pretty good idea of the density of digital signals around you, but it won’t tell you where to move the couch to get a better WiFi signal,” the app description says.
"The purpose of this app is to make the invisible visible so we can look at it, think about it, and discuss it," Vijgen told Teche Blog.
Released on the Apple App Store on Nov. 17, the application currently has 2.5 stars from 116 ratings.
“Definitely a cool concept with a relatively intuitive interface. The main problem is in all the unidentified cell towers,” writes reviewer Mistergizmo. “Since the app works off a database rather than real-time signals, this should be fixable, which I'm sure it will be, at which point I'll increase the number of stars. But in the meantime, it's certainly a fun app.”
Related Stories
Digital Twin | Nov 21, 2022
An inside look at the airport industry's plan to develop a digital twin guidebook
Zoë Fisher, AIA explores how design strategies are changing the way we deliver and design projects in the post-pandemic world.
BAS and Security | Oct 19, 2022
The biggest cybersecurity threats in commercial real estate, and how to mitigate them
Coleman Wolf, Senior Security Systems Consultant with global engineering firm ESD, outlines the top-three cybersecurity threats to commercial and institutional building owners and property managers, and offers advice on how to deter and defend against hackers.
Sponsored | BIM and Information Technology | Jul 19, 2022
Why Autodesk Tandem is the best fit for your projects
Sponsored | Digital Twin | Jun 24, 2022
Pave the way for better business relationships with digital twins
Smart Buildings | Jun 1, 2022
Taking full advantage of smart building technology
Drew Deatherage of Crux Solutions discusses where owners and AEC firms could do better at optimizing smart technology in building design and operations.
AEC Tech | Apr 19, 2022
VDC maturity and the key to driving better, more predictable outcomes
While more stakeholders across the AEC value chain embrace the concept of virtual design and construction, what is driving the vastly different results that organizations achieve? The answer lies within an assessment of VDC maturity.
BIM and Information Technology | Mar 16, 2022
Construction still lags other industries in use of technology
JBKnowledge’s latest ConTech report asserts that while contractors have made some gains, too many don’t view IT as a priority, to their detriment.
AEC Tech | Dec 16, 2021
Autodesk to Acquire Cloud Based Estimating Company ProEst
Autodesk, Inc. is acquiring ProEst, a cloud-based estimating solution that enables construction teams to create estimates, perform digital takeoffs, generate detailed reports and proposals and manage bid-day processes. Autodesk plans to integrate ProEst with Autodesk Construction Cloud, a comprehensive construction management platform connecting teams, data and workflows across the entire building lifecycle.
Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Oct 15, 2021
7 game-changing trends in structural engineering
Here are seven key areas where innovation in structural engineering is driving evolution.
