Technology

this bird-shaped air monitor detects high CO2 levels by dropping ‘dead’

28 APRIL, 2022 · ABD RABBAH

‘Canairi’: intuitive storytelling to detect indoor air quality

‘Canairi’ is an award-winning fresh air monitor that uses a combination of narrative and technology to monitor indoor air quality and encourage people to ventilate their homes. Launched on Kickstarter by co-founders Andreas Sørensen and Hans Augustenborg, it is stripped from unplesant sensors, blinking lights, ringing alarms, and harmful blue rays from screens. Instead, the monitor is equipped with a simple and intuitive storytelling language that both children and adults can instinctively understand.

On their source of inspiration, the co-founders (see more here) commented: ‘Back in the days, mineworkers would bring a canary with them in the coal mine to detect toxic gasses. When the bird fainted, it was time to get out. With a built-in CO₂-sensor, ‘Canairi’ works exactly the same way – but in your home. When the air quality is poor, the bird will drop until you open your windows and bring it back to life.’

simple and intuitive signals that both children and adults can understand

depending on CO2 levels, the bird drops or stays upright

‘Canairi’ is made of recycled plastic and comes with a wall-mount and a rechargeable battery that lasts three months before requiring a USB charge. When CO₂ levels are higher than 1.000 ppm (the global threshold suggested by health authorities) for more than 10 minutes, the bird ‘faints’ by dropping down; this signals homeowners to aerate the indoors. Once CO₂ levels reach below 1.000ppm, the monitor will revert to a standing position. You can pre-order the air monitor on Kickstarter here.