The Urban Canaries
A pollution sensor whose own health depends on its exposure to clean air
According to the World Health Organization, air pollutants have become one of the top environmental risk to the health to children since their immune systems and lungs are not fully developed yet at the time the exposure begins.
As a concept, the Urban Canaries explore new interactions to combat air pollution, specifically for younger children.
Rather than simply translating measured data into visuals, they facilitate new conversations between parent and child that help to avoid inner city air pollution in the future.
Their health levels
As the child’s own health, the Urban Canary’s health gets affected by prolonged exposure to higher levels of pollution.
To account for the inevitable exposure to low levels of pollution, the Urban Canary’s sensitivity can be adjusted in the settings
In the moment alarms
Whenever an Urban Canary is exposed to high levels of pollution, it starts to get uneasy, anxious and, as expressed through its LED and vibration, alerts the child of nearby air pollution.
(In cases of extremly high pollution exposure, it sends out an additional pollution alert to the parents.)
Falling ill from pollution
If exposure to high levels of pollution continues over longer periods of time, the Urban Canary starts to become ill, indicated by its pulse changing color.
Pollution Stories
Whenever ill, the Urban Canary can be scanned with the parents' smartphone to examine it and find out what led to it falling ill.
Together with the parent, the recent exposure to pollution can be discussed, and helpful advice can be given.
Fast Company Exist ‘World Changing Ideas’ Award 2017 - Finalist
