Your Phone Can Now Fight Killer Heatwaves

The National Science Foundation is funding a pilot project in San Antonio, Texas, to turn your phone into a home-improvement tool. Researchers are working with residents to create 3D models of their houses using the LiDAR sensors found in many new smartphones.

Why the high-tech house scan? Many older homes, especially in neighborhoods like San Antonio's Westside, are death traps during heatwaves due to poor insulation and no A/C. These 3D models, or 'digital twins,' let them run simulations to see exactly how heat moves through a house. This means they can test which upgrades—like new windows, ventilation, or shading—work best on a computer before anyone has to spend a dime.

For the people in this study, it means getting a custom plan to make their homes safer and lower their energy bills. If this test works, the model could be scaled up for other cities. It's a practical way to use tech we already own to help people survive extreme heat without going broke.