Working prototype of the smartphone data center. University of Tartu
Smartphones are aging faster than ever. Most users replace their devices every two to three years, often while the phones still work.
The culture of yearly upgrades, driven by marketing cycles and rapid tech evolution, feeds an endless demand for new models.
As a result, more than 1.2 billion smartphones are produced globally each year.
Their manufacturing and shipping require vast natural resources and release significant amounts of CO₂. At best, old devices are recycled. At worst, they end up in landfills, contributing to a growing e-waste crisis.
At the same time, the rise of AI and cloud computing has made data centers more critical than ever. But traditional centers are energy-intensive and resource-hungry, further straining the environment.
To tackle this, researchers at the University of Tartu have proposed a simple, scalable fix: turn old smartphones into micro data centers.
Turning yesterday’s phones into tomorrow’s infrastructure
A team from the University of Tartu Institute of Computer Science has developed a method to repurpose discarded smartphones into functional data centers. Each converted unit costs only around €8.
The researchers removed the original batteries and replaced them with external power sources to reduce environmental risks.
Then they connected four smartphones, added 3D-printed casings, and built a working prototype.
“Innovation often begins not with something new, but with a new way of thinking about the old, re-imagining its role in shaping the future,” said Huber Flores, Associate Professor of Pervasive Computing.
Smartphones tested underwater for marine data collection
The prototype didn’t stay on land. It was tested underwater to monitor marine life. Normally, this task requires a diver to capture footage and analyze it later.
But the smartphone-based system handled everything on its own, automatically recording and processing data below the surface.
This use case shows how the system can work in challenging environments. It also points to broader applications, from scientific research to public transit.
In cities, similar devices could be placed at bus stops to count passengers in real time. That data could help optimize public transportation networks.
Rethinking digital infrastructure
Data processing demands are surging. But traditional data centers require huge amounts of electricity and materials. The modular, decentralized approach from the University of Tartu offers a leaner, greener alternative.
By reusing existing hardware, the team avoids the high cost and footprint of manufacturing new machines.
RECOMMENDED ARTICLES
These recycled smartphones form scalable, energy-efficient units with multiple potential applications.
“Sustainability is not just about preserving the future—it’s about reimagining the present, where yesterday’s devices become tomorrow’s opportunities,” said Ulrich Norbisrath, Associate Professor of Software Engineering.
Old tech, new purpose
Changing consumer behavior would be the most sustainable solution. But with upgrades accelerating and devices aging faster, that shift is hard to enforce.
Instead, the researchers chose a workaround to reuse what already exists in smarter ways.
Their approach gives smartphones a second life and reduces the growing burden of e-waste.
With little investment and existing technology, they’ve created something powerful.
The research is published in the journal IEEE Pervasive Computing.
MasterCard
