What if your air quality sensor earned you something? That is Ambios Network's promise: you install a sensor at home, it measures fine particles and CO₂, and you receive tokens in exchange for the data. The concept is appealing and useful. The payout, however, remains uncertain.
Ambios in brief
Ambios Network is a DePIN (decentralised physical infrastructure) network dedicated to environmental data. Its history:
- Early 2024: launched as Ambient, which in March bought the sensor network and community of PlanetWatch, a project on the Algorand blockchain.
- May 2024: $2 million funding round led by Borderless Capital.
- Late 2024: renamed Ambios and migrated to the Solana blockchain.
- April 2025: launch of the AMBIOS token.
- Mid-2025: more than 4,400 sensors online in more than 20 countries, according to the project.
The business model: Ambios sells access to the data collected to companies, researchers and artificial intelligence developers, and distributes tokens to contributors.
- Your sensorMeasures the air every 5 minutes
- VerificationInconsistent data are discarded
- Data buyersCompanies, researchers, AI developers
- AMBIOS tokensDistributed according to verified volume
What the sensors measure
- Fine particles PM2.5 and PM10, linked to traffic, wood heating and industry;
- volatile organic compounds (VOCs);
- CO₂;
- temperature and humidity.
Readings are sent every five minutes.
The hardware
| Device | Use | Indicative price |
|---|---|---|
| AirGradient Open Air | Outdoor sensor, recommended entry point | about $99 |
| Sensedge Mini | Indoor air quality | varies |
| IN5 | Indoor, more precise multi-parameter readings | varies |
| AmbiGo app | No hardware: readings and observations from your phone | free |
How you are rewarded
AMBIOS rewards are proportional to the volume of data sent and its verification rate. A sensor that often loses Wi-Fi or sends inconsistent values earns less. The AmbiGo app lets you earn small amounts through readings and questionnaires.
The value in euros depends entirely on the token price, which can vary sharply. The project does not publish a guaranteed return, which is rather a good sign.
The risks to know
- A very young token: about 1.4% of the total supply of one billion tokens was circulating at launch. The rest is released gradually, which can weigh on the price.
- No public third-party audit of the smart contracts to date, according to Solana Compass.
- The PlanetWatch precedent: at the time of its acquisition in 2024, PlanetWatch's PLANETS token had a total valuation of only about $747,000 according to The Block. Contributors who had bought hardware for its rewards learned the hard way. Ambios is building on that network: it is a strength (sensors already installed) and a reminder.
- The hardware stays useful even if the token becomes worthless: at least you know what you are breathing.
Buy a sensor because you want to know the air quality at home or in your street, and treat the tokens as a bonus. If you rent out properties, an indoor CO₂ sensor also helps check that ventilation is adequate.
Installing a sensor in practice
- Choose an outdoor spot sheltered from direct rain and sun, at head height, away from a boiler flue or a cooker hood.
- Ensure a stable Wi-Fi connection: it determines your rewards.
- Link the sensor to your Ambios account and to a Solana wallet whose recovery phrase only you hold.
- Regularly check in the dashboard that the sensor is online.
To compare with another network of this kind, read Helium mining.
Where to find these services
- Ambios NetworkThe official site of the network and the AmbiGo app
- AirGradientMaker of the Open Air outdoor sensor
Links provided for information, with no partnership. Always check a provider's terms and authorisation before committing.
Test yourself
3 questions to check what you remember. Click an answer: the explanation appears straight away.
Question 1 of 3Which project's sensors and community did Ambios take over?
Ambient, which became Ambios, bought the PlanetWatch network in 2024.
Question 2 of 3What do an Ambios sensor's rewards depend on?
A sensor that is often offline or gives inconsistent readings earns less.
Question 3 of 3What is the right way to approach Ambios?
The token's value is uncertain; the sensor remains useful.
Frequently asked questions
What is Ambios Network?
A decentralised network of environmental sensors on the Solana blockchain. Individuals install air quality sensors and receive AMBIOS tokens in exchange for their data.
How much does an Ambios sensor earn?
The amount depends on the volume of verified data and the price of the AMBIOS token, which varies sharply. No return is guaranteed: treat the tokens as a bonus, not an income.
Is Ambios linked to PlanetWatch?
Yes. Ambios, launched as Ambient, took over PlanetWatch's sensor network and community.
Which sensor should you choose to start with Ambios?
The AirGradient Open Air, an outdoor sensor sold for about $99, is the recommended entry point. The AmbiGo app also lets you take part without hardware.
Sources
This article is educational and is not personal investment, tax or legal advice. Figures change: check them with the sources cited or a licensed professional before deciding. Read the full disclaimer.