The canary in the coal mine, reimagined in a fun design.
Tech products are often bland and boring – they do their job, but don’t usually claim to make your home look pretty or fun. Birdie® is the exception. Designed by childhood friends Andreas Kofoed Sørensen and Hans Høite Augustenborg, Birdie® revolutionizes a ubiquitous object: the fresh air monitor. Inspired by the canary in the coal mine tradition, this device is both playful and dynamic. Shaped like a bird, the canary yellow Birdie® drops “dead” when a room’s CO2 level is too high, but revives as soon as enough oxygen flows through an open window. Put more simply, it’s contemporary Danish design at its best.
Unlike classic fresh air monitors, Birdie® doesn’t use light, sound, a digital display, or annoying phone notifications to signal poor air quality. Indeed, this device remains unobtrusive on a wall, signaling the rise in CO2 levels with movement. Residents can simply glance at the bird to check the air quality and open a window to refresh the air.
Why is fresh air so important, you ask? Apart from removing stale air and odors, opening a window to bring in more oxygen also improves concentration and productivity while also improving the quality of your sleep, preventing asthma and allergies, and inhibiting the growth of mold. All of which, Birdie® does in style.
As the device doesn’t have light indicators, sound, a display or IoT elements, the battery lasts for a long time. On a full charge, Birdie® functions perfectly for up to six months. The rechargeable battery charges completely in four hours. However, eEnergy efficiency is not the only impressive feature. Made from 100% recycled plastic, this fresh air monitor is as eco-friendly as possible. Plus, the company ships each product in packaging made from recycled paper. Every Birdie® comes with wall-mounting hardware and a USB-C to USB-A cable for easy and convenient charging. Originally launched through Kickstarter with an incredibly successful campaign that received $500,000 in 30 days, Birdie® is now available through the brand’s official website and at selected retailers. Images courtesy of Birdie®.
