Using Mini-Bus Taxis as Data Mules

A data mule can be defined as a vehicle that physically transports a wireless node capable of collecting and storing data when in the range of a static wireless node able to provide data. The data is usually seamlessly transmitted between the data mule and the static nodes and offloaded to a server when the data mule reaches its final destination. This paper will focus on the collection of electricity meter data using a data collector fitted on a mini-bus taxi. The mini-bus taxis also referred to as Kombis, are the most common form of public transport in South Africa. Using their vast road network, it could be possible to use Kombis to collect data from data concentrators fitted along taxi routes. Using this data collection scheme, metering companies will have a free metering data collection alternative that does not rely on the GSM network.