Over 100 uRADMonitor® MODEL A4 units were recently deployed across Sector 1 of Bucharest in a major air quality monitoring initiative. Introduced in late 2023, the MODEL A4 is a modular, outdoor-ready device featuring a detachable sensor board, OTA updates, strong connectivity, and a weather-resistant Stevenson shield. Its design allows quick field maintenance, while the built-in RGB LED offers real-time pollution feedback.

One main feature of the uRADMonitor® MODEL A4 is its modular design, which allows the sensor board to be easily replaced in the field without removing the entire device.

Installing the sensors

Many of the sensors were placed in parks, where children spend considerable time and are especially vulnerable to pollutants like PM2.5 and NO2, known to affect lung development. By making real-time air quality data visible and accessible, the system not only helps protect their health but also promotes environmental awareness and responsibility from an early point.

Installing them was no easy job. The fieldwork was carried out by Tonka Solutions SRL, a Romanian company with experience in complex technical operations and infrastructure projects. Active since 2005, Tonka has a strong track record in IT services, cybersecurity, and smart city technologies, making them a natural fit for this project. Their team managed the installation across diverse urban locations with speed and precision, delivering one of the most well-executed deployments of uRADMonitor sensors to date. See for yourself:

Unsurprisingly, the real-time data is remarkable, thanks to the large sensor network the entire area is covered with detailed air quality measurements, showcasing the potential of ‘ultra-localized’ environmental monitoring made possible by advanced IoT technologies. This reaches beyond high spatial and temporal resolution.

Tonka was in charge of developing an air quality dashboard for the local authorities. It is available in real time on the official webpage of Bucharest Municipality Sector 1 . It features a GIS detailed representation were all relevant parameters are encoded in colours, but also individual “Visual Cards” that allow specific sensor / location data analysis for a more detailed view or for checking historic data.

This large-scale deployment not only enhances air quality awareness in Bucharest but also demonstrates the power of scalable, modular IoT solutions like the uRADMonitor MODEL A4. With real-time data now accessible across an entire urban sector, both citizens and authorities gain a valuable tool for informed environmental action. As smart cities continue to evolve, projects like this set the standard for how technology can drive meaningful change.

Major Challenges ahead

One of the key challenges in large-scale air quality monitoring projects is the limited lifespan of certain sensor components, which can degrade over time due to exposure and continuous operation. Ensuring consistent performance across more than 100 units requires not just initial deployment, but ongoing maintenance and technical oversight. In this project, a capable company like Tonka plays a crucial role in monitoring device health and intervening when replacements or servicing are needed.

To address these maintenance challenges, the uRADMonitor MODEL A4 introduces key technical innovations – most notably, its modular design. This allows faulty sensor boards to be replaced directly in the field, without removing or disassembling the entire unit, which greatly reduces downtime and service costs. Such design choices are part of a broader industry shift toward building more resilient, easily serviceable, and scalable monitoring systems.