Review on HibouAir by Dr. Vikas Gupta
The growing urbanization, industrialization and deforestation has led to an increase in the number and density of undesirable particles and airborne pathogens (bacteria, viruses, etc.) in our environment. Indoor air quality has therefore become even more important especially after covid-19 wreaked havoc around the world and its measurement is the first step towards ensuring that the immediate surrounding is safe for our families. As a researcher in medical domain with a keen interest in technology that affects our health, I compared various air sensors online before deciding to try HibouAir (Air monitoring devices-IoT sensor) at our home. I liked the fact that they use recycled materials for manufacturing their products, which is beneficial for the environment.
My initial experience with the HibouAir sensor has been positive. This small and affordable device requires simple setup but provides relevant data in real time for timely intervention, if required. It was interesting to not only monitor the concentration of different elements in the air such as CO2 and volatile organic compounds (VOC) but also the other parameters such as humidity, temperature, atmospheric pressure & light level that affect the ambient environment around us. The apps on both the desktop ( I tested the Mac OS app) and mobile (android) worked well and showed the parameters using a clean design and intuitive interface.
As with any other product, there is still some room for further improvements. In particular, I would like to see a display on the device itself so that a mobile phone or a pc is not always needed. I would also like to see a comparison with external air quality in the app that can be easily arranged by sourcing that data from external source (e.g., EPA). This could give an indication of the improvement in air quality compared to outdoors if a customer is using an air purifier. These are just a couple of suggestions for further improvements and don’t take away the fact that HibouAir sensor is a great product already in its current form. I would highly recommend it for indoor air quality monitoring.
Dr. Vikas Gupta, PhD
Senior Clinical Scientist
Philips Innovation Hub @ Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm