Researchers create cubes to monitor workers’ wellbeing

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Spotted: Researchers at Australia’s Deakin University have created a smart cube that monitors workers’ wellbeing. Cube Comfort Monitors (also known as ‘Baby Cubes’ due to their size) contain sensors that measure conditions in the workplace.

The cubes are small enough to sit on a standard desk. Data on room temperature, humidity, light intensity, light temperature, sound levels and air quality indicators like CO2 and volatile organic compounds, is transmitted to a cloud-based server in real time. The information is then analysed to reveal problem areas within the room. Office managers can use the information to adjust room temperature or other issues based on workers’ needs.

The university plans to commercialise the cubes later this year, following an on campus pilot programme.

Takeaway: The cubes were initially designed to capture how temperatures and humidity levels fluctuated in offices during a recent heat wave, according to Scott Adams, a PhD student working with the team from Deakin’s School of Engineering. “Contemporary office buildings generally have in-built monitoring systems but that’s less common in older buildings so there is a real need to improve how we monitor workplace comfort in older buildings,” he said. Baby Cubes are the latest in a trend of innovations aimed at reducing energy waste at work. Springwise recently spotted an app that maps your energy use and helps you reduce it. A different app encourages work teams to cooperate to reduce their carbon footprints.

Website: www.deakin.edu.au 
Contact: www.deakin.edu.au/contact-us

Published in: April

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