This Hacker Conference Installed a Literal Anti-Virus Monitoring System
High CO levels2 lead to reduced cognitive abilities and facilitate the transmission of airborne viruses, which can persist for hours in poorly ventilated spaces. The more CO2 in the air, the more virus-friendly the air becomes, making CO2 the data is a convenient proxy for tracing pathogens. In fact, the Australian Academy of Science has described indoor air pollution as “someone else’s breath.” Kawaiicon organizers were faced with organizing a large IT security event during a measles outbreak, as well as constant waves of Covid-19, flu and RSV. It’s a familiar problem for conference organizers frustrated by huge public health gaps and lack of control over their venue’s air quality standards.
“Typically, the Michael Fowler Room has a single HVAC system and uses Farr 30/30 filters with a MERV-8 rating,” Kawaiicon organizers explained, referring to the filtration choices in the space where the convention was held. MERV-8 is an economical choice – a standard practice for homes. “The hardest part of the whole process is being limited by what the venue offers,” they explained. “The location is older, which means less technology to control airflow and an older HVAC system.”
Kawaiicon’s work began a month before the conference. In early October, organizers deployed a small fleet of 13 RGB Matrix Portal Room CO2 Monitors, an ambient carbon dioxide monitor DIY project adapted from American electronics and kit company Adafruit Industries. The monitors were connected to an internet-accessible dashboard with live readings, daily highs and lows, and historical data showing the participants in the room.2 trends. Kawaiicon tested its CO2 is monitoring in collaboration with researchers from the University of Otago Department of Public Health.
Courtesy of Violet Blue
“It’s awesome,” says Adafruit founder and engineer Limor “Ladyada” Fried of the conference’s adaptation of the Matrix Portal project. “The best part is seeing people learn new skills and really understand how we measure and monitor air quality in the real world (like during a measles outbreak scam)! Hackers and creators are able to be self-sufficient when it comes to their public health information needs.” (For the full specifications of the Kawaiicon version, you can visit the GitHub repository here.)
The Michael Fowler Center is a spectacular blend of Scandinavian brutalism and interior woodwork designed to enhance sound and air, including two large pou (carved Maori totem poles) next to the main entrance that rise to the upper foyers. Its cathedral-like acoustics posed a challenge to Kawaiicon’s team of overhead hackers, which they solved by placing the RGB monitors in stereo. There were two on each level of the main auditorium (four in total), two in the Renouf session space on level 1, as well as monitors in the daycare and Kuracon (kids’ hacker conference) areas. To top it off, monitors were placed in the quiet room, at the registration desk and in the green room.
“Things we had to consider were typical health and safety, as well as efficient placement (breathing height, multiple monitors for multiple spaces, not near windows/doors),” a Kawaiicon spokesperson who goes by Sput Online told WIRED via email.
Courtesy of Violet Blue
“To be honest, this is no different from having to consider other accessibility options (e.g., venue access, conference access, access to private space for personal needs),” Sput wrote. “As a technology-driven community, it’s easier for us to set this up ourselves or with the help of volunteers, but it’s certainly not out of reach given the accessibility of CO.2 monitor technology is.
Kawaiicon attendees were able to quickly check conditions before arriving and decide how to protect themselves accordingly. At the event, WIRED observed attendees checking CO2 levels on their phones, masking and unmasking in different conference areas and watching a display of all the room’s readings on a dashboard at the registration desk.
