A team of Hong Kong geeks has launched an Indiegogo campaign for a small, no-frills device called LiV that measures the temperature, humidity, air pressure and CO2 levels wherever you are. It seems like these guys really care about what they’re doing too, as both the software and hardware are open source. In fact, anyone can make their own case using a 3D printer (all you have to do is find one!).
The developer of the indoor air quality monitoring device says that unexplained fatigue, sleepiness, dizziness and headaches may actually be caused by poor air inside your office, your mall, your apartment—wherever you spend most of your time. The US Environmental Protection Agency calls this “sick building syndrome”. Poor ventilation means you might be breathing in too much air straight from car exhausts, toxic cleaning agents, or even the lungs of nearby people – gross, right?
LiV has only raised a pitiful USD39 out of their USD13,000 goal, but for USD49 you get to be an early adopter with your own complete set – and there’s free shipping to Hong Kong.
Perhaps part of their problem is that right now the product isn’t very user-friendly. It consists of multiple components including a third-party programmable computer called Raspberry Pi, which can be used for just about anything…if you’ve got the techno skillz. But the concept is certainly promising, and by making all of their work open-source, we guess LIV is hoping someone will come along and give all us non-geeks a hand.
Check out their promotional video featuring the deadpan (but informative and genuine!) voice of the LiV’s creator – it’s pretty awesomely dorky:
