Hi Friends,

Even as I launch this today ( my 80th Birthday ), I realize that there is yet so much to say and do. There is just no time to look back, no time to wonder,"Will anyone read these pages?"

With regards,
Hemen Parekh
27 June 2013

Now as I approach my 90th birthday ( 27 June 2023 ) , I invite you to visit my Digital Avatar ( www.hemenparekh.ai ) – and continue chatting with me , even when I am no more here physically

Thursday, 7 December 2023

Noise Detecting Cameras ? How about a Cheaper Solution ?

 


 

Context :

Shhh! New York City is cracking down on noise: New cams to catch loud drivers    Times  /  06 Dec 2023

 

Extract :

 

New York City is combating excessive noise with the use of noise cameras

These cameras are activated when loud sounds above 85 decibels are detected and are being used to ticket drivers who violate noise regulations

The city has purchased nine additional cameras and plans to install at least five cameras per borough.

The new technology functions "much like a speeding camera,"  The cameras are always on but they start recording only when loud sounds are detected.

Violations cost offenders between $800 and $2,500.( Rs 66,400  -  207,500 )

Since then, the city has purchased nine additional cameras at a cost of roughly $35,000 each.( Rs 29 Lakh )

And on Wednesday, the City Council is expected to vote on a bill that would establish a citywide noise camera programme with the aim of installing at least five cameras per borough.

My  Take :

 

Dear Shri Chahal

[  Commissioner – Mumbai Municipal Corporation ]

I think NOISE POLLUTION in Mumbai is worse than in New York .

Obviously, even with its FIXED DEPOSITS , running into Rs 70,000 CRORE , BMC cannot afford to implement those New York type cameras costing Rs 29 lakh each

I believe BMC is already in the process of installing thousands of CCTV cameras on the 1600 Km streets / roads of Mumbai

I urge you to challenge our geek Startups to come up with a cheaper / simpler / elegant , solution to this pollution , improving upon my suggestion in following blog / email :

Loudspeaker Politics ? How about Loudspeaker Techniques ? …………. 28 Apr 2022

 

Extract :

Ø  For  a PERMANENT / LONG-TERM solution

 

 

#  Pass a law to prohibit the manufacture of HIGH VOLUME loudspeakers

 

    I believe UP has prescribed following UPPER LIMITS for Noise Levels :

 

           @   Residential ……….. 55  db

 

           @   Commercial…………65  db

 

            @  Industrial………….. 75  db

 

 

          Bureau of Indian Standards should lay down SPECIFICATIONS for

 

          loudspeakers which must apply uniformly across the entire country

 

          All loudspeaker manufacturers will need to display ISI confirmation on

 

          their products

 

         

        #  All loudspeakers and all Microphones, to be fitted with internet-

 

            connected SENSORS , capable of measuring and relaying “ Noise

 

           Levels ( decibels ) “ to Central Noise Pollution Control Rooms in each

 

            city 

            

            Control Room will have a number of large MONITORING SCREENS

 

            showing location ( GPS ) of each religious place having installed a

 

            loudspeaker

                      

            

            Screen will display :

 

            Green Dot……………… for loudspeakers within norms ( less than 74 % of

 

                                         upper limit )

 

            Yellow Dot ……………  for “ borderline “ loudspeakers ( between 75 % to

 

                                         100 % of limit )

 

            Red Dot…………………  for loudspeakers exceeding limit ( more than 100

 

                                         % of upper limit )

 

 

           Without needing any attention or human intervention, in case of those

 

           loudspeakers which exceed the upper limit ( Red Dot ), a software will

 

           get activated to cut-off the electric supply to the culprit microphone and

 

           / or loudspeaker .

 

                      

           No need for manual monitoring / persuasion / disputes

 

 

          Considering that Hon Supreme Court has already ordered installations of

 

         CCTV in all the Police Stations and in the premises of all Investigating

 

         Agencies, my suggestion will get judicial support

 

          

 

Ø  For a TEMPORARY / SHORT TERM Solution :

 

 

How about requesting the MIT team to license their NOISE

 

CANCELLATION technology described below, to Indian Manufacturers ?

 

 

As soon as these devices become commercially available in India, residents

 

staying near a Masjid / Temple / Church, will buy these to CANCELL out the

 

loud noise emanating from those blaring loudspeakers.

 

 

Having once experienced the BLISS of a QUIET surrounding, device-owners

 

 may even carry it with them ( strapped to their wrists like a Smart Watch

 

 or worn as a pendant hanging from a necklace ), whenever they venture

 

 out on our noisy streets, where loud construction and vehicular noise has

 

 made our lives miserable and produced untold mental stress

 

 

State Governments are requested to consider subsidizing the purchase of

 

 such devices

 

 

 Dear Shri Bhupender Yadavji – Shri Ashwini Kumar Choubeyji

 

( Ministers for Environment )

 

 

bhupender.yadav@sansad.nic.in  /  mefcc@gov.in ]

 

ashwinikumar.choubey@sansad.nic.in  /  mos.akc@gov.in ]

 

 

I urge you to consider my suggestion for a Technology Based solution to the

 

 Noise Pollution problem

 

         A novel paper-thin loudspeaker can play music from any surface  /

             Interesting Engineering / 27 April 2022

 

            Extract :

 

            #   Imagine a paper-thin loudspeaker that can turn any surface into an

 

                 active audio source. It would be great for parties and other public

 

                 events.

 

                

           #   Now, MIT engineers have conceived of exactly such a device, according

 

                to a statement published by  the institution, and it's reported

 

                to produce sound with minimal distortion while using a fraction of

 

                the energy required by a traditional loudspeaker.

 

                

          #   “It feels remarkable to take what looks like a slender sheet of paper,

 

                attach two clips to it, plug it into the headphone port of your computer,

 

                and start hearing sounds emanating from it

 

                 It can be used anywhere. One just needs a smidgeon of electrical

 

                power to run it,” 



                said Vladimir Bulović  bulovic@mit.edu ],

                

                the Fariborz Maseeh Chair in Emerging Technology, leader of the

                Organic and Nanostructured  Electronics Laboratory (ONE Lab),

                director of  MIT.nano,  and senior author of the paper.

                

         #    The new loudspeaker is the size of a hand and weighs about as much

 

                as a dime, but don't let that fool you

 

               It can generate high-quality sound no matter what surface the film is

 

               bonded to. 

 

         #   What's more, parties and events are not its only applications. The

 

              loudspeaker could also provide active noise cancellation in

 

              clamorous environments, such as an airplane cockpit.

 

              

         #   It would achieve this by generating sounds of the same amplitude but

 

               of opposite phases  resulting in the two sounds cancelling each

 

               other out

              

              It's also ideal for use on smart devices where battery life and space are

 

              limited

             

         #   Finally, last but not least, the device could have more creative



              applications that go beyond sound.

 

              It could use ultrasound to detect where a human is standing in a room

 

              and then shape its sound waves  to follow the person

 

              It could also be used to create patterns of light for future display

 

              technologies or be immersed in a liquid to provide a novel method of

 

              stirring chemicals.

 

              

       #    Its applications are many and varied, each as original as the next one.



             What could you do with this loudspeaker?

 

 

With regards,

Hemen Parekh

www.hemenparekh.ai  /  08 Dec 2023

 

Here is how ChatGPT evaluated my suggestion :

 

You've provided a detailed and fascinating exploration of noise pollution solutions, highlighting the current use of noise-detecting cameras in New York City and proposing alternative, more cost-effective measures for addressing noise pollution in Mumbai.

Here's a breakdown of your observations and suggestions:

Observations on New York City's Noise-Detecting Cameras:

·         Feasibility: The technology, resembling speed cameras but detecting loud noises, is in use in NYC.

·         Desirability: It helps enforce noise regulations by ticketing offenders with fines ranging from $800 to $2,500.

Proposal for Mumbai's Noise Pollution:

1.     Cheaper Solution: Given the high cost of the New York-style noise cameras, you propose exploring alternative, more cost-effective methods suitable for Mumbai's context.

2.     Legislation & Technology Integration: Your suggestion involves setting standards for loudspeakers, integrating sensors to monitor noise levels, and employing an automated system to cut power to loudspeakers exceeding noise limits. This proposal aims for both a permanent and short-term solution.

Temporary/Short-term Solutions:

·         You suggest exploring MIT's noise cancellation technology for residents living near places of worship, allowing them to cancel out loud noises effectively.

·         Subsidizing the purchase of such noise-canceling devices by state governments is recommended.

Engaging Government Officials:

·         You're urging key government figures, including the Ministers for Environment, to consider these technology-based solutions.

·         You've referenced a novel paper-thin loudspeaker developed by MIT, highlighting its potential applications beyond sound generation, such as noise cancellation and even innovative uses in other fields.

Conclusion:

Your proposal is comprehensive, encompassing both legislative measures and technological innovations.

It addresses the urgency of noise pollution in Mumbai and suggests practical steps and technologies to mitigate it effectively.

Your emphasis on engaging startups and leveraging advancements in technology demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to solving this issue.

With the right support and implementation, your proposed solutions could significantly contribute to reducing noise pollution in Mumbai.

 

 























 







 

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