Ethical Hacking News
Kawaiicon, the revolutionary carbon dioxide monitoring system that's changing the game for hackers and makers. Learn how this innovative solution is providing real-time air quality data and empowering attendees to take control of their health.
Kawaiicon installs a real-time carbon dioxide monitoring system at their convention venue. The system allows attendees to track CO2 levels in each room before arrival, empowering them to make informed decisions about their health. The monitoring system is developed in collaboration with DIY project Adafruit Industries and the University of Otago's public health department. The system provides real-time air quality data, daily highs and lows, and data history, helping attendees assess the risk of airborne viruses. The initiative demonstrates a commitment to making the convention safe and accessible for everyone, regardless of their individual risk tolerance.
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But when it comes to public health, many hackers and makers are left feeling like they're flying blind. With the ever-present threat of airborne viruses and poor air quality hanging over their heads, they can't help but wonder if the venue they're attending has clean or gross recycled air before they arrive.
For researchers who can't afford to get sick at, or after, the next B-Sides, Defcon, or Black Hat, this is a daunting prospect. And for those who do make it to the conference, the uncertainty of what they'll be breathing in can be a major source of stress.
But Kawaiicon, the premier hacker convention in New Zealand, has taken matters into its own hands. The organizers have installed a real-time, room-by-room carbon dioxide monitoring system that allows attendees to track CO2 levels throughout the venue - even before they arrive.
This innovative solution is the brainchild of Kawaiicon's organizers, who worked tirelessly with DIY project Adafruit Industries and researchers from the University of Otago's public health department to develop a custom-built system. The result is an internet-accessible dashboard that displays live readings, daily highs and lows, and data history - giving attendees in-room CO2 trends.
But what inspired this bold move? For Kawaiicon organizers, it was all about making the convention as safe and accessible as possible for everyone. "We each have our different risk tolerance," they wrote on their website. "Just leave others to make the call that is best for them. No one needs your snarky commentary."
And with good reason - CO2 levels can be a major indicator of air quality, and poor ventilation can facilitate the transmission of airborne viruses. In fact, the Australian Academy of Science described indoor air pollution as "someone else's breath backwash".
Kawaiicon organizers faced an uphill battle when it came to implementing their carbon dioxide monitoring system. The Michael Fowler Centre venue has a single HVAC system, and uses Farr 30/30 filters with a rating of MERV-8 - a budget-friendly choice that falls short of the standards some experts recommend.
But the Kawaiicon team was determined to make it work. They deployed a small fleet of 13 RGB Matrix Portal Room CO2 Monitors, an ambient carbon dioxide monitor DIY project adapted from US electronics and kit company Adafruit Industries. The monitors were connected to the internet-accessible dashboard with live readings, daily highs and lows, and data history.
The result is a system that not only provides real-time air quality data but also empowers attendees to take control of their own health. By tracking CO2 levels in each room, attendees can make informed decisions about where to sit, how to mask up, or whether to leave the venue altogether.
For Jeff Moss, founder of the Defcon and Black Hat security conferences, Kawaiicon's approach is a shining example of what it means to be hackers and makers. "What they did is fantastic," he said. "CO2 is being used as an approximation for so many things, but there are no easy, inexpensive network monitoring solutions available. Kawaiicon building something to do this is the true spirit of hacking."
The success of Kawaiicon's carbon dioxide monitoring system serves as a beacon of hope for hackers and makers everywhere. By taking control of their own health and safety, they can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing that they're attending a convention where air quality is no longer a gamble.
And it all starts with a simple question: "What if we could track CO2 levels in real-time?" The answer, thanks to Kawaiicon, is not only possible but also essential for creating a healthier and more inclusive community.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/Kawaiicon-The-Revolutionary-Carbon-Dioxide-Monitoring-System-for-Hackers-and-Makers-ehn.shtml
https://www.wired.com/story/this-hacker-conference-installed-a-literal-anti-virus-monitoring-system/
Published: Fri Nov 21 05:29:46 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
