This hacker conference installed a literal antivirus monitoring system

This hacker conference quietly launched a real-time, room-by-room carbon dioxide monitoring system for attendees at New Zealand’s Kawaiicon, installed before doors opened on 6 November. To enable public visibility, organisers deployed 13 RGB Matrix Portal Room CO2 Monitors connected to an Internet-accessible dashboard showing live readings, daily highs and lows, and historical data for session rooms, kids’ areas, and the front desk.

The system was built with DIY CO2 monitors in a venue with an older HVAC system, and the monitors were placed in multiple spaces including the Main Auditorium, Renouf space, daycare areas, and the Quiet Room. Attendees could check conditions before arriving and during the con, with displays and a QR-backed dashboard at the registration desk to help people move to safer spaces as needed.

According to WIRED, Jeff Moss praised the approach, noting CO2 can approximate various factors in public-health contexts, while the organisers emphasised the aim of providing information to support attendees’ own risk assessments.