Switzerland-based Networked Artifacts has unveiled Air Lab, an innovative air quality monitoring device that provides real-time data on environmental conditions. It measures key air quality indicators including CO2 levels, temperature, humidity and pollutants such as volatile organic compounds (VOC) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Designed for portability and ease of use, Air Lab features a black anodized aluminum enclosure, a high-resolution ePaper display and a built-in stand allowing users to place it on a desk, mount it on a wall or carry it around. Unlike conventional air monitors, it can operate independently without requiring a smartphone or computer for data analysis.
Air Lab is powered by an Espressif ESP32-S3 microcontroller, which supports dual-core processing at 240 MHz along with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Users can retrieve real-time air quality data via a smartphone, tablet or through an MQTT-enabled system. The device offers multiple operating modes including passive monitoring for continuous tracking, an advanced analysis mode for reviewing specific data points and an event-marking feature that helps correlate air quality changes with specific activities. Additionally, a CO2 alert mode notifies users when levels exceed safe limits. With multilingual support including English, German and Spanish, Air Lab is designed to serve a global audience.
The device includes high-quality Sensirion air sensors - SCD41 for CO2, temperature and humidity measurements & SGP41 for VOC and NOx detection. Other key components include an NXP FXLS8974CF accelerometer, a real-time clock and a capacitive touch controller. It is powered by a 1500 mAh LiPo battery, offering an estimated 7.5 days of continuous recording and 30 days in passive mode. The device also features a USB Type-C port for charging, debugging and data transfer. With 8MB of onboard storage, Air Lab can log up to 90 days of air quality data, making it ideal for both short-term studies and long-term monitoring.
Air Lab is an open-source project with its firmware set to be released under an MIT or Apache license. Networked Artifacts also plans to share the hardware schematics, allowing developers and researchers to modify the firmware, integrate the device with third-party applications or create custom software solutions. The enclosure is designed for durability and ease of maintenance with a simple four-screw access mechanism that allows users to replace or upgrade components if needed. With its combination of accuracy, portability and user-friendly design, Air Lab is positioned as a valuable tool for individuals, researchers and professionals looking to monitor and improve air quality in homes, workplaces and industrial settings.
