17 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

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Every Friday, we’re taking a look at some of the smartest, most innovative projects that have caught our attention on Kickstarter and Indiegogo over the last seven days. 

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NEA

This sleek, unibody machine comes in three different sizes, making it like the Golidlocks fairytale of 3D printing — one for papa, mama and baby bear. NEA 3D is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

C.H.I.P.

This $9 computer lets you save documents, surf the web over Wi-Fi and play games via Bluetooth. Next Thing Co. is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Modulo

This set of tiny modular boards will take the hassle out of building electronics for Makers. Modulo Labs is currently seeking $10,000 on Kickstarter.

CyPhy LVL 1 Drone

This easy-to-use, intuitive drone shares captures high-quality footage effortlessly. CyPhy Works is currently seeking $250,000 on Kickstarter.

Smart Plate

This connected plate instantly tracks and analyzes everything you eat. Maker Anthony Ortiz is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Wallet Drone

This mini drone, which is being billed as the world’s smallest quadcopter, fits into a wallet-size controller. Maker Robert Morrison is currently seeking $11,894 on Indiegogo.

Linkitz

This set of electronic components simply snap together in different combinations to create custom wearables. Dr. Lyssa Neel is currently seeking $95,000 on Kickstarter.

ARbot

This spherical robot and mobile app combination allow you to partake in augmented reality tank battles in your office, at home, or just about anywhere. Roboboom is currently seeking $32,000 on Indiegogo.

NFTY

This all-in-one charging solution acts a portable power bank for your wearable devices, smartphones and tablets. NFTY is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

auris zwing

This smart boombox is equipped with a 7-inch touchscreen and built-in Wi-Fi that connects to an Android platform for uninterrupted streaming of today’s most popular apps. auris zwing is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

Radian 2 Bluetooth

This Bluetooth-enabled controller is ideal for creating still, panning, tilting and sliding time lapse footage. Alpine Labs is currently seeking $153,471 on Kickstarter.

Lumkani Fire Detection

This early-warning fire detection system integrates the mesh network of in-home fire detectors and sends text alerts with GPS coordinates to community leaders and authorities in the event of a fire. Lumkani is currently seeking $45,000 on Indiegogo.

nScope

This portable device boasts a USB-powered oscilloscope, function generator and power supply to transform any laptop into an electronics workbench. nLabs is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

Wond

This handheld stylus excites, sustains and controls vibration of your guitar strings or any steel-stringed instrument. Innovator Paul Vo is currently seeking $35,000 on Kickstarter.

Fizzics

This battery-powered countertop machine transforms store-bought beer into a draft-quality beverage through oscillation and high-frequency sound waves. The Fizzics team is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

HearNotes

This pair of earbuds deliver uncompressed, high-fidelity stereo audio without a single wire to get in your way. HearNotes is currently seeking $75,000.

Remocam

This smart security camera can be placed anywhere — at home or in the office — and controlled remotely from your smartphone. Remocam is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Did you happen to miss last week’s notable campaigns? If so, you can check them out here. Also, if your project is powered by Atmel MCUs and you’ve been featured on our blog, be sure to download the respective badges here for use in your ongoing marketing efforts. 

ARbot lets you have virtual tank battles and robot races anywhere

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This projects lets you partake in virtual tank-like battles of up to 64 players throughout your office, house or pretty much anywhere.

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Created by Denis Kurilchik and the Roboboom team, the ARbot project consists of a spherical robot and a mobile app that bridges the gap between real and virtual worlds, allowing users to partake in tank-like battles of up to 64 players throughout their office, at home, at school or pretty much anywhere they want.

Not just an ordinary radio-controlled toy, the ARbot is comprised of two hemispherical wheels that operate in unison using a shifted center of gravity to overcome any number of obstacles. The multi-directional bot houses an AVR based system board along with an electric motor, and is charged via micro-USB. The battery itself typically lasts anywhere between one to three hours in active mode, which is plenty for some lunch or coffee break fun.

Meanwhile, an accompanying app (available in iOS, Android and Windows) connects with the robot over Bluetooth, enabling some friendly competition. The program currently features two game modes: single-player and multi-player. As its name would suggest, multi-player lets users do battle against other ARbot owners — whether that’s during lunch, in between classes, after work, or downstairs in the basement.

Regardless of the mode, ARbot strives to blur the lines between a user’s real and augmented reality worlds. Meaning, that living room or office floor suddenly transforms into a battlefield with shoes, bags and sofas becoming barriers. Multi-player mode, however, requires at least two robots to be controlled via the ARtank app. These devices are then paired, so that all competitors view the same images on their screens.

So whether it’s for a teenager or simply a child at heart, this project makes for an entertaining and interactive gadget for anyone. Aside from tanks, the ARbot can also be used as a remote-controlled racing vehicle capable of reaching speeds of approximately three feet per second.

Avaialble in white, green, purple, pink, yellow and black, there’s an ARbot that suits every style. Those looking for an even more durable, modern-looking gizmo — and are willing to shell out some serious cash — may also want to check out the team’s special carbon edition, equipped with wireless charging. In the future, the team has plans of integrating the robot with wearables, such as Google Glass, to provide a greater immersive experience.

Sound like something for you? Head over to the ARbot project’s official Indiegogo page, where the team is currently seeking $32,000. Shipment is expected to kick off in January 2016.