PiCO is the first compact, portable device to measure a full range of harmful substances in the air. Just plug PiCO into your phone and instantly get real-time updates on the air around you.

• It sniffs out PM10 and PM2.5 fine dust
• It detects VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
• It measures CO₂eq (Carbon dioxide) concentrations
• It even tells you the temperature and humidity

PiCO works indoors and out, and also connects to global AQI databases, to give you a bigger picture on air quality

PiCO is small. Really small. Smaller than a surgical mask, PiCO is powered by your smartphone and will quickly sniff and analyze the room and also give you general weather predictions based on your phone’s GPS. Alternatively, PiCO can connect to an external battery and link up with any smart device via Bluetooth.

Being so small has its advantages. PiCO can easily slip into a handbag, backpack or even phone case for quick and easy scans of your immediate surroundings.

We’ve selected the best and most accurate air quality sensors for PiCO.

Laser Particle Sensor: PiCO's laser-based particle sensor is far more accurate than cheap, dull LED sensors, ensuring accurate measurement of fine dust (PM2.5 and PM10) in the air. These small particles are among the most dangerous and difficult forms of air pollution to protect yourself against. PM2.5 particles (just 0.0025mm in size) are so small they get through most masks and window seals.

MEMS Metal-oxide Gas Sensor: MEMS is the industry standard for detecting potentially harmful gases in the air. PiCO senses Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) released by cleaning agents, paints, and carpets, flooring, and even your family! The MEMS sensor picks up any trace of Acetone, methanol, ethanol, and other harmful compounds in the air.

High levels of VOCs in the air can have an impact on general comfort and well-being, as well as taking a toll on cognitive abilities.

The MEMS Metal-oxide Gas sensing element is first class when it comes to real-world application. It has long-term stability and a low drift (meaning 1 will always be 1). It’s also protected against dust and water making it extremely robust and durable.

CMOSens® Sensor: When professionals need to measure temperature and humidity, they trust CMOSens®. So we do too.

We’ve partnered with BreezoMeter a world leading air pollution AQI (air quality index), which lets us forecast outdoor air quality and weather by collecting big data from satellites, weather stations and traffic control centers.

In addition, we’re excited to fully support IFTTT. Which means PiCO can interact with smart home appliances such as humidifiers, air purifiers, and air conditioners and fully automate air quality levels in your home.

Let’s say PiCO forecasts a wave of pollution coming in late afternoon. It’ll let you air purifier know when to switch into high gear and keep things clear. As soon as the cloud passes, PiCO will detect that the air in the room is a little dry and balance things out with a nearby smart humidifier.

Our app connects to PiCO via Bluetooth so you can monitor, track and analyze every speck of dust in the air around you.

PiCO doesn’t have to be with you to keep you updated. You can check real-time air quality levels from anyone registered with the app. This means you’ll be able to launch the PiCO app and monitor levels in your living room from the office at any time.

• Forecasts on outdoor air quality and weather
• Monitors air pollution levels locally and all over the world
• Remotely check what PiCO is picking up back at home or the office.
• Measure Fine particles(PM2.5/10), Temperature & Humidity, VOCs, and Equivalent CO₂
• Public data: Fine particles(PM2.5/10), Temperature & Humidity, UV index, Ozone

Now, more than ever, people are becoming more concerned about the air quality in and around their homes and offices. While smoking levels have decreased, we are only now becoming aware of the dangers of other pollutants from industry, automobiles and energy production. According to Google, search volumes for “air quality” and “air purifier” were the highest ever in early 2017 and don’t show signs of slowing down.

If you’re lucky enough to live in a city that isn't living under a cloud of smog, PiCO is still here to help you out around the home.

Kitchen 

Sometimes we can get wrapped up in the madness of putting together a last minute meal. PiCO is your kitchen companion and will monitor the air for any harmful gases and alert you when you need to turn on ventilation. 

Bedroom

 Bedrooms (especially apartments) can be small and feel cramped, especially for couples. PiCO will tell you when CO₂ levels creep up too high and tell you to open a window and get some fresh air.

Garage

 The garage is usually home to a variety of paints, chemicals, and tools. It’s important to have a device like PiCO monitor the air with MEMS for any silent VOCs in the air. These could be from poorly sealed chemicals or an idle engine that isn’t properly ventilated.

Step 1: Connect to smartphone (or external battery)

Step 2: Power on and PiCO will give you an immediate visual reading of your room with an multi-color LED.

Step 3: Launch the PiCO app for more detailed information and tips

*Only powered by OTG supported phones

In 2017, Seoul, South Korea recorded its worst air quality readings in history. It was briefly the most polluted city in the world. Schools shut down, and people locked themselves indoors. Despite these precautions, they were unsure of when the pollution would clear or if what they were breathing indoors was safe. In many cases, the air inside people’s homes was worse than the air outside… but they had no way to know this, or what to do about it.

Ryan, is CEO at Brilliant & Company and has suffered from chronic allergic rhinitis since he was young. (That means he sneezes a lot.) Being personally affected by the effects of poor air quality was all Ryan needed to bring PiCO to life.

FAQ

Q. Where is PiCO developed and manufactured?

A. PiCO was designed at HIT(Hanyang Institute of Technology) and manufactured in Seoul, South Korea.

Q. Does PiCO require an external power supply?

A. Yes. PiCO does not have an internal battery. It needs to be plugged into a smartphone, external battery, or an adapter of 5V 1A or lower connected by a USB cable.

Q. Can a PiCO device be connected to multiple smartphones at the same time?

A. No. A PiCO device can only be connected to one smartphone at a time. However, you can register other users on the same PiCO app and check what PiCO is picking up in real-time from anywhere.

Q. Can I use the PiCO app without a PiCO device?

A. Yes. Even without a PiCO device, you can still check air quality, weather information , and forecasts on the PiCO app

Q. Can I use the PiCO anywhere in the world?

A. Yes. PiCO connects to satellites and weather stations all around the world. This gives you the power to check air quality anywhere in the world at any time.

Q. Does PiCO keep working even if the Bluetooth connection drops out?

A. Yes. The sensor still works even if the Bluetooth is disconnected. PiCO will let you know what’s happening via the multicolored LED indicator on either side of the device.

Q. The PM 2.5/10 levels measured through PiCO are different from the ones I can see online. Why?

A. PiCO measures air quality in your immediate location in real time. So, the levels may differ from what you see online.

Q. Can I use PiCO’s readings for medical purposes?

A. No. The PiCO APP offers air quality information and well-being guides, but it is not a medical device. The PiCO device and app cannot be used for any diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of a disease or medical condition.

Q. Is the PiCO app going to receive updates?

A. Yes. The PiCO app is expected to be upgraded over time in order to maintain a high level of accuracy and usability for our backers.

Q. Where does the other air quality and environmental information come from?

A. This information comes from governmental institutions such as Korea Environment Corporation, and from global big-data service providers.

Q. Can I use another USB cable other than the one included in the box?

A. No. PiCO can only be powered through the provided USB cable. Every PiCO includes 3 Cables (C to C, C to micro-B, and C to Lightning).

Q. I am using a phone that is not supported by OTG. Can I still use PiCO?

A. You can still power PiCO with a power bank or through an adapter with a 1A to Type-C connection.

What we’ve done before and where we’re going.

Over the last two and a half years, it has been our first priority to develop products that create healthy living environments and arm people with the information to keep their family safe.

Back in October 2016, we launched our first product ‘Akee’ a smart air quality monitor. We were stunned by its success as it was immediately snapped up by thousands of customers who share our vision.

We’ve listened to feedback from the very beginning and are extremely excited to deliver PiCO. We’re aiming to ship PiCO worldwide in April this year.

Risk & Challenges

We’re confident that we will deliver a high quality device and are on track to do so according to our timeline. However, even the most well-planned campaigns can meet some unexpected speed bumps.

As PiCO is powered by smartphones, those that don’t support OTG (On-The-Go) may have some trouble connecting. Since Apple’s change to lightning cables for iPhones and iPads, OTG is not an authorized Apple MFI process. Therefore power supply from Apple products may be unstable.

Accurate measurements of ambient temperature and humidity require extensive debugging and testing, which may take some extra time to get right.

The Android and iOS companion apps will be vigorously tested and upgraded to deliver an intuitive user experience. We’ll listen to feedback from users, and make adjustments accordingly.

Shipping

International backers: PiCO will ship worldwide. Please note that you will be responsible for duties, fees and taxes applicable to your region.

Estimated delivery:  While we do not expect major issues, the estimated shipment date may shift a month or two. We will update backers as soon as ship dates are confirmed or if they change.

Warranty: We stand firmly behind our products. Each PiCO includes a 7-day (after you receive it) money back guarantee, and a 1-year limited warranty.

Support: Need help? If you have any questions, during or after the campaign has closed, you can reach us at cs@brilcom.com

We will continue working hard to ensure that we deliver our backers a low-risk, high-quality product on time.