旧手机先别扔，花不到70元，10年前旧手机「秒变」数据中心：下海识鱼8小时都没掉线

Core Insights - The research from the University of Tartu suggests that old smartphones can be repurposed as micro data centers, providing a cost-effective solution for distributed computing needs in the era of AI [1][4][15] Group 1: Research Findings - Even smartphones from a decade ago can efficiently perform tasks such as image recognition and sensor data processing, with a total modification cost of only 8 euros (approximately 66 RMB) [3][10] - The study highlights that smartphones are designed for high-energy scenarios, making them suitable for complex computational tasks despite their outdated hardware and software [3][4] - The research team successfully transformed four old Google Nexus phones into a micro data center, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach in real-world applications [5][12] Group 2: Methodology - The transformation process involved removing the original battery and using an external power supply to ensure reliable operation [7] - The original Android operating system was replaced with PostmarketOS or similar lightweight Linux-based systems to enhance control and flexibility [8] - A cluster of four smartphones was created, with one acting as the master node to manage tasks and the others as worker nodes for parallel processing [9] Group 3: Applications and Implications - The micro data center was tested in an underwater experiment, successfully identifying and counting marine life over an 8-hour period without failure [10][12] - Potential applications include urban sensor networks for crowd counting and providing real-time image analysis for drones [12] - The research indicates that this approach could benefit startups that require data analysis and web hosting services without the high costs associated with cloud computing [12][15] Group 4: Environmental Impact - The study addresses the growing issue of electronic waste, with approximately 62 million tons generated globally in 2022, of which only 22% was properly recycled [14] - Repurposing old smartphones as reusable computing resources presents a viable solution to reduce electronic waste and its environmental impact [14][15] - The research encourages manufacturers to consider maintainability and reusability in product design to mitigate electronic waste generation [15]