A group of Canadian designers has created a wearable device that monitors environmental data including air quality and UV radiation, and presents the metrics via an app.

 

Designed by Vancouver-based Woke Studios, the small clip-on TZOA device features an optical particle counter that relays data to a smartphone or tablet so the user can see how clean or dirty the air around them is.

 

The circular plastic clip covered with an interchangeable metallic triangular cap is designed to fasten onto a backpack, jacket or wallet.

 

Particulate matter in the air includes both solids and liquid droplets. Those less than 10 micrometers – smaller than the diameter of a human hair – are known as "coarse particles" (PM10) and are commonly mixed into the air during construction work or vehicles kicking up dust.

 

Particles smaller than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5) are called "fine particles" and are caused by exhaust fumes, other types of combustion, natural fires and various industrial processes.

 

A bright light source inside s mall chamber within the device helps the custom-built sensor identify each particle. TZOA counts particles at PM2.5 and PM10 levels, which are shown along with the density to give an overall guide to the surrounding air quality.

 

This collected data is used to build crowdsourced city-wide maps so users can track worst-affected areas on the app and steer clear if they wish.

 

UV radiation, humidity, temperature and light levels are also collected using a sensor and presented in a similar way on the app, which uses a minimal layout and bold graphics to illustrate the data.

 

If levels of any tracked metric spike, the app sends a notification to the user's phone to alert them.

 

The device is also designed to work indoors, counting particles including mould, dust and carcinogens in the same way.