Show HN: Air Lab – A portable and open air quality measuring device (networkedartifacts.com)

Article summary

The article presents Air Lab, a portable and open air quality measuring device. The device features an e-ink display, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth LE connectivity, and a range of sensors to measure air quality. The official firmware for the Air Lab will be open-source and available on GitHub. The device is available for purchase on Crowdsupply for $230.

Main themes

• Air quality monitoring
• Open-source hardware
• Device design
• Power consumption
• Cost and pricing
• Home automation integration

What commenters say

• The device's display design prioritizes aesthetics over functionality, making it difficult to quickly read the current measurement.
• The device is too expensive compared to similar products on the market.
• The use of an ESP32 microcontroller may not be the best choice for power consumption, but it offers great software support.
• The device's open-source firmware and customization options are a major advantage.
• The device's price is justified by the costs of producing a small series, including component costs and other expenses.
• Some users would prefer a simpler, more functional design, such as a device that only shows the current measurement in a large font.
• The device could be improved by adding support for Zigbee or Matter protocol for better integration with home automation systems.
• The device's battery life and power consumption are acceptable, especially considering the use of an e-paper display.