We reported the unveiling of the Atmotube, a compact, clever, portable air quality meter, back in 2015, and it went on to win a number of prizes following its CES premiere. The company, co-founded by Vera Kozyr, has rebranded as ATMO and is currently offering the Atmocube, an indoor air quality monitoring device for businesses and organizations. This new device is designed for the post-COVID era when office air quality will be critical, and instead of being small and portable (although that older product is still available), the Atmocube will be conspicuous and visible, giving office workers peace of mind that their air quality is good.
The key to this is measuring CO2 levels, which the Atmocube does along with other parameters on its screen. The device has up to 14 sensors that measure CO2, formaldehyde, PM1 (small airborne particles), PM2.5, ozone, and other environmental parameters like relative humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, ambient noise, and light levels, as well as other environmental parameters like relative humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure, ambient noise, and light levels.
According to the business, this new device also calculates the Airborne Virus Transmission Score, which is based on particulate matter, humidity, and CO2 levels, and produces a “score” that indicates the likelihood of transmitting virus infections in enclosed environments. Obviously, independent testing would be required to confirm this, but the WHO does caution that COVID-19 can be transferred in poorly ventilated and/or crowded indoor environments.
“Air pollution is harmful because it can affect you and your health even if you aren’t aware of it,” Kozyr said. We want to assist people become more aware of their breathing patterns and make adjustments as a result. Businesses need technology to make information regarding indoor air quality transparent and available to their employees as they return to work. We set out to produce a device with a clearer interface that would highlight HVAC performance safety and foster confidence between inhabitants and building owners, as most air quality monitors are designed to be hidden away. Of course, ATMO isn’t the only company in the space; AirThings, Awair Omni, and Kaiterra are also involved.
