Advancing Air Quality Monitoring: TinyML-Based Real-Time Ozone Prediction with Cost-Effective Edge Devices

Abstract: The escalation of urban air pollution necessitates innovative solutions for real-time air quality monitoring and prediction. This paper introduces a novel TinyML-based system designed to predict ozone concentration in real-time. The system employs an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense microcontroller equipped with an MQ7 sensor for carbon monoxide (CO) detection and built-in sensors for temperature and pressure measurements. The data, sourced from a Kaggle dataset on air quality parameters from India, underwent thorough cleaning and preprocessing. Model training and evaluation were performed using Edge Impulse, considering various combinations of input parameters (CO, temperature, and pressure). The optimal model, incorporating all three variables, achieved a mean squared error (MSE) of 0.03 and an R-squared value of 0.95, indicating high predictive accuracy. The regression model was deployed on the microcontroller via the Arduino IDE, showcasing robust real-time performance. Sensitivity analysis identified CO levels as the most critical predictor of ozone concentration, followed by pressure and temperature. The system's low-cost and low-power design makes it suitable for widespread implementation, particularly in resource-constrained settings. This TinyML approach provides precise real-time predictions of ozone levels, enabling prompt responses to pollution events and enhancing public health protection.