Considering there are over 450,000 art and cultural collections in the world, it makes you wonder who’s making the effort to protect and preserve all of that enriched history.

Museums and other galleries have had a difficult time in the past providing real-time monitoring of art exhibits’ surroundings because of the vast amount of wiring that’s needed. They also have to factor in the Wi-Fi’s inability to connect large areas with a constant and robust signal.  

Luckily, there is a company that’s been innovative enough to come up with an answer to help conservators preserve centuries of cultural history – a solution that could save most museums and collections thousands of dollars per year.  

According to Semtech Corporation, Conserv created a smart art conservation solution based on Semtech’s LoRa® devices and the LoRaWAN® protocol. These sensors will use low-power capabilities to provide conservators with precise, well-organized and simple art condition metrics in real time.

Conserv’s conservation innovations feature LoRa-enabled IoT sensors, a LoRaWAN-based gateway and a Cloud-based data monitoring system, making it easier for museums and collections to install sensors that detect common factors affecting art health including humidity, temperature, light and vibration.

The sensors then convey exact real-time data at consistent intervals and provide battery lifetimes up to 30 months.

“With LoRaWAN connectivity, Conserv is able to connect the entirety of the largest museums to the Cloud without extensive wiring or additional infrastructure. In comparison, a Wi-Fi-based solution is difficult to install and provides inconsistent, expensive connectivity,” said Conserv’s CEO, Austin Senseman. “Combining better network coverage with our sensors’ sensitivity provides customers with a winning combination for effectively monitoring exhibits, including difficult structures such as those located outdoors.”

“Many museums and art collections are housed in historic buildings that present a difficult environment for common wireless technologies due to heavy use of concrete and steel,” said the VP of IoT for Semtech’s Wireless and Sensing Products Group, Marc Pegulu. “Semtech’s LoRa devices and the LoRaWAN protocol enable the flexible and simple deployment of IoT solutions into existing infrastructure. As a result, LoRa devices preserves cultural history so future generations are able to enjoy and learn from centuries of art collections.” 

Learn more at www.semtech.com, www.conserv.io, Semtech’s LoRa site or www.sec.gov.