Engineering researchers from Deakin have developed a \u201ccomfort monitor\u201d to create an optimal environment for people who work in an office setting.<\/p>\n
Named the \u201cBaby Cube\u201d, the monitor \u2013 which is small enough to sit on an office desk \u2013 is fitted with sensors to track temperature, humidity, air quality, light intensity and temperature as well as sound levels.<\/p>\n
The data is collected in real time before being made available to building managers through a cloud-based web server. The monitor has been designed to deliver timely feedback about comfort levels, such as hot and cold spots in an office and noise issues.<\/p>\n
Researchers from Deakin\u2019s school of engineering say the Baby Cube has the potential to improve the management of building resources, particularly energy systems.<\/p>\n
Scott Adams, a researcher with Deakin\u2019s AIM team, said the inspirations for the Baby Cube arose in January during a heatwave when the university\u2019s facilities services division sent out a reminder about managing temperatures at work.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe wanted to know how temperatures and humidity levels fluctuated during that time to help us manage our cooling systems more efficiently,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cContemporary office buildings generally have in-built monitoring systems but that\u2019s less common in older buildings so there is a real need to improve how we monitor workplace comfort in older buildings, ensuring the heating and air
\nconditioning systems are working effectively, that lighting is not too bright or too dull and that the room is not too stuffy or noisy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Cube Comfort Monitor can vary in size from individual desktop cubes to miniaturized whole-of-office systems
\nthat sit in the corner of a room. It is a low-cost way of collecting data that will help building managers monitor what\u2019s
\nhappening in any office, or part of that office.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Baby Cube research team, which was led by Professor Abbas Kouzani, included Doctor Egan Doeven, Scott Adams and Josh Holland.<\/p>\n
The team is looking to test the Baby Cube at 15 sites across Deakin, with the aim of commercialising the product later in the year.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Engineering researchers from Deakin have developed a \u201ccomfort monitor\u201d to create an optimal environment for people who work in an office setting. Named the \u201cBaby Cube\u201d, the monitor \u2013 which is small enough to sit on an office desk \u2013 is fitted with sensors to track temperature, humidity, air quality, light intensity and temperature as […]<\/p>\n