A University of technology Columbia engineer has developed a system that uses Wi - Fi signals to determine the number of people in a room and adjust the ventilation accordingly . By anonymously counting how many wireless devices are connected to Wi - Fi in a room , Stefan Storey 's computer tells UBC 's building control system , which adjusts the ventilation in real - time . UBC 's technical director says the system could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by hundreds of tonnes , and save as much as $ 100,000 in energy costs per year for core campus buildings . It is to install the system in 10 more buildings in coming months .
A University of British Columbia engineer has developed a system that uses Wi-Fi signals to determine the number of people in a building and adjust the ventilation accordingly. By anonymously counting how many wireless devices are connected to Wi-Fi in a room, Stefan Storey's software tells UBC's building control system, which adjusts the ventilation in real-time. UBC's managing director says the system could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by hundreds of tonnes, and save as much as $100,000 in energy costs per year for core campus buildings. It is to install the system in 10 more buildings in coming months.