Tag Archives: Indiegogo

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Pura is a smart fountain for cats

Pura lets you monitor the water intake of your kitties right from your smartphone.

Though the age-old proverb may lead you to believe that curiosity killed the cat, in actually, it was dehydration. Research has shown that urinary diseases are one of the leading causes of fatality for felines, not to mention nearly half (46%) have suffered from a urinary system at one point in their life. This is typically the result of either too much dry food or a lack of proper fluid intake. In order to prevent these occurrences, it is imperative to provide the household pet with access to fresh water at all times. Enter Pura.

Just as the Internet of Things has opened the door for various smart bottles for humans, Noacare is hoping to usher in a similar movement for cats. To make that a reality, the Taipei-based startup has designed a sleek, intelligent fountain that not encourages better H2O habits, but helps owners keep tabs on consumption right from their smartphone. Pura is able to monitor how much water a cat drinks by connecting to a Bluetooth ID tag on its collar.

Upon setting up a profile for each of your pets, just as you would a wearable device of your own, Pura’s accompanying app will calculate how much water they should take in daily given their breed, age, weight and dietary preferences. The monitoring system is triggered by each cat’s tag and logs whenever they visit the fountain, in addition to how much they drink based on the weight of the water left in the fountain after walking away. What’s more, the team even developed an artificial intelligence platform that can interpret each kitty’s behavior and precisely recognize real intake — opposed to playing near the bowl, water evaporation and other unpredictable events.

Should they not drink enough water, or too much for that matter, Pura will send an alert to your smartphone. Other features of the app include affection levels, abnormal behavior notifications, daily water changing reminders and helpful tips.

The fountain’s 30-degree-angled, ergonomic design decreases neck strain for our furry friends, therefore creating a much more enjoyable water-drinking experience. And thanks to its 4mm-wide stream, cats will never have to worry about wetting their whiskers either. Aside from that, Pura’s recirculating running water and exclusive Smart 360-Degree Cat Sensing Technology enables kittens to drink from any position.

As you could imagine, Pura boasts a few cat-friendly features as a way to entice them to head over to the fountain, such as a steady stream of water with a glowing LED light. t’s also has several elements that will appease owners as well, namely quick refills, easy cleaning and a sturdy, slip-proof base to avoid messes.

“Cats are wired to be adventurous and it is in their nature to find multiple water sources. By placing multiple Pura at various locations of the household, it increases the chance for your beloved kittens to drink more water. In addition, Pura’s auto sync feature allows all Puras to be connected and automatically sync the data to your phone. The more Pura fountains you have in the house, the better chance your kitten would drink more water and the better you understand his or her health,” its creators explain.

The only potential drawback of this smart system is the fact that the app is only compatible with cats who don’t mind wearing collars, not so great for those who hate having anything around their neck. Think this fountain may be purrfect for your feline friend? Hurry over to its Indiegogo page, where the Noacare crew is just about halfway to its $100,000 goal. Delivery is expected to begin sometime around April 2016.

Saent wants to make the Internet less distracting

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The funny videos, memes and messages can wait. This anti-distraction button wants to boost your productivity.

Face it: as great as the Internet may be, it can be downright distracting as well. From browsing sites like BuzzFeed to responding to Facebook messages, it doesn’t take much to diminish your productivity levels at work. In fact, a recent survey has found that 73% of employees under the age of 35 admit to spending time inappropriately online. However, help may be on the way thanks to one Hong Kong-based startup, who has developed a smart solution that combines both hardware and software to combat these all too common occurrences.

At its basic level, Saent acts much like any other distraction-reducing software. When triggered, the desktop app blocks sites and other programs that are deemed “unproductive” in order to encourage short term productivity. Yet, the startup has taken it one step further by adding a physical button, no larger than a coaster, as a tangible reminder for us to stay focused.

The device is capable of tracking the progress of your work throughout the day, as it gathers data related to your performance patterns and then generates reports based on your behaviors, like the time of day you are most and least productive. This is achieved when paired with its accompanying app over Bluetooth to either a mobile gadget or desktop.

What’s more, a touch of the button will launch what the company calls a “focused work session.” Each period, which is either 30, 50 or 90 minutes long, will block all apps and websites that are designated as “unproductive.” An indicator light on the unit will then monitor your progress with the indicator filling up as you get closer to finishing. There’s a gamification element to Saent, too. Users can compete with colleagues at work or loved ones at home by accumulating points based on the time spent distraction-fee via the app’s dashboard.

In terms of hardware, Saent boasts a Bluetooth Low Energy SoC, an LED, a microUSB port, a touch sensor, a push button and a Li-ion battery, all housed inside an ABS shell. While the software can also function as a standalone app, ideally the physical device is suited for long-term success and a much better alternative than multitasking.

“A lot of people think the solution is to multitask, but multitasking is actually a myth. Only 3% of people are actually capable of productive multitasking. The rest of us just do something called ‘task switching,’ which leads to mistakes and poor quality work. What we really need is a way to block out distractions and enable true focus,” its creators explain.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to enhance its software platform with various new features, including app recommendations, granular nofitication control, and one of our favorites, “what you missed” reports — something that will certainly help curb those with FOMO, or fear of missing out. So, are you prone to watching kitten videos on YouTube or posting memes during the day? Head over to Saent’s Indiegogo campaign, where the startup is currently seeking $100,000. Delivery is expected to begin in November 2015.

EyeControl enables ALS patients to communicate through eye movements

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EyeControl uses a head-mounted infrared camera to track eye movements and translate them into spoken words or text.

Approximately 5,600 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) each year, and it is estimated that as many as 30,000 Americans may be living with the disease at any given time. Its onset often involves muscle weakness that progresses to the paralysis of muscles responsible for the control of vital functions such as speech.

With this in mind, two Israeli entrepreneurs have developed a new, low-cost communication device for those suffering from ALS. As its name would imply, EyeControl is a pair of portable glasses that enable patients to communicate with their eyes.

EyeControl uses a head-mounted infrared camera to track eye movement and translate them to spoken words or text. The camera connects to a credit card-sized microprocessor via USB. The tiny computer, which the team calls “Odroid,” converts the wearer’s eye direction into commands that are then communicated through three outputs: headphones, a speaker and/or a smartphone over Bluetooth.

To accurately convey the user’s command, the accompanying mobile app employs a unique algorithm to calibrate the device to best suit one’s needs. The EyeControl system is currently capable of three different tasks: sounding an alert for assistance, sharing pre-defined sentences (programmed with 10 to 15 common sayings) and composing phrases much like SMS messages. At the moment, the wearable can decipher eye movements in two languages: English and Hebrew, with more to come.

“With an earset attached to the device, the patient has always a vocal feedback in order to answer questions being asked or saying he wants to say,” its creators explain. “For example, if one is asked ‘Are you ready for bed?’ and moving your eyes upwards means yes, then the camera will detect where their eyes are looking and transmit the response accordingly.”

While similar devices may be available today, they are typically constrained by their price and require a stationary computer screen to function — two issues that the Tel Aviv startup is hoping to solve with its mobile and affordable solution. With hopes of providing assistance to those afflicted by ALS, EyeControl is now live on Indiegogo and seeking $30,000 to make it all a reality.

Analyze your tennis swing with the Qlipp sensor

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Qlipp provides tennis players with real-time stroke and video analysis of speed, swing, ball spin and more.

The game of tennis is as rich in tradition as they come. However, throughout the years, technology has radically changed the sport — from smart polo shirts to automated stringing machines to on-court data collection. Joining the likes of Babolat, Sony and a few others, one Singapore-based startup is now hoping to make it even smarter by way of sensor-laden racquets.

Whereas many of those before it have attached to the butt of a handle, Qlipp has taken a different approach by clipping a 9DOF sensor onto the actual strings of the racquet. This enables the unit, in conjunction with an accompanying mobile app, to keep tabs on every part of a player’s game such as measuring strokes, analyzing the spin, and tracking speed and sweet spot accuracy of each shot. Aside from real-time analytics, users can even capture and wirelessly transmit video of their swings.

“By analyzing stroke data, players can determine areas of their game that need improvement. Are they hitting the ball properly? What is the ball speed for each shot? What is the ball spin? Qlipp also provides data on the amount and quality of a player’s forehand shots, backhands, volleys and serves. By tracking every detail, from serve to match point, players can see where they need to improve their game,” the team writes.

Through their smartphone, players can instantly view their data, save each session for future reference or compare their performance to other users. Qlipp is capable of connecting to a number of social networks, allowing anyone to share and compare their progress, organize local matches and share their statistics on a community leaderboard. Beyond that, the app features voice feedback so users can hear the app relay their stroke information while they are still on court.

As any tennis enthusiast will admit, even the most minuscule weight change in a racquet can impact performance. Cognizant of this, Qlipp is super lightweight (only 8 grams) and brand agnostic. Meaning, the sensor can be attached to any tennis racquet via the device’s registered “twist and lock” design that doubles as a vibration dampener. To attach, users need only twist and lock the sensor below the first string.

Qlipp is equipped with a battery that can last for at least four hours on a single charge, which is plenty of juice for any training session or match — unless, of course, you’re in an 11-hour Wimbledon battle like John Isner and Nicolas Mahut. Meanwhile, communication between the instrument and the Android or iOS device is accomplished through Bluetooth Low Energy within a range of 164 feet.

Are you a tennis player looking to up your game? Then you’ll want to check out Qlipp’s Indiegogo campaign, where the team is currently seeking $30,000. Shipment is slated for December 2015.

17 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

MetaWear Coin

This low-power IoT platform is comprised of a coin-sized Bluetooth dev board, sensors and an SDK, enabling you to develop your own wearable products with ease. MbientLab is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Pocket NC

This five-axis desktop CNC mill would be a welcomed addition to any Maker’s workspace. Pocket NC is currently seeking $70,000 on Kickstarter.

Relio

This USB light puts high-quality, sun-like color rendering right in the palm of your hand. Relio is currently seeking $55,578 on Kickstarter.

OKO

This smart frame allows you to share all of your media content with friends and family via an accompanying app. CIMNE TIC is currently seeking $70,000 on Kickstarter.

3DSimo Mini

This multi-functional pen not only 3D prints objects in thin air, but solders, burns and cuts as well. 3DSimo is currently seeking $70,000 on Kickstarter.

T.brush

This smart and stylish toothbrush is looking to reinvent oral hygiene. T.brush is currently seeking $274,661 on Kickstarter.

Conrod

This dev board connects directly into your vehicle’s control network and allows you to reprogram its features to your liking. Conrod is currently seeking $77,786 on Kickstarter.

QLIPP

This sensor attaches to a tennis racquet to measure every aspect of a player’s game, analyzing strokes, the spin and speed of the ball, as well the accuracy of each shot. QLIPP is currently seeking $30,000 on Indiegogo.

Silk by Saffron

This smart LED bulb automatically adjusts its color temperature so you get light tailored to your circadian rhythm. Saffron is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Gesto

This open source kit lets you to transform any part of your body into a controller by analyzing muscle and motion patterns. Gesto is currently seeking $75,000 on CrowdSupply.

Luzi Smart Lamp

This intelligent lamp uses therapeutic light, personalized sound and voice commands to help you fall asleep faster and wake up more refreshed. Luzi is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Kiwi 3

This plug-and-play dongle links to your car’s onboard diagnostic port, retrieves info and then wirelessly transmits it to your mobile or wearable device. PLX Devices is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

Pura

This Bluetooth-enabled water fountain for cats not only encourages better drinking habits, but helps you keep tabs on your kitten’s H2O intake right from your smartphone. Pura is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

Xkey Air

This wireless keyboard lets you play music anywhere from any mobile device. The CME team is currently seeking $10,000 on Indiegogo.

Vufine

This hands-free, high-definition wearable display attaches to a wide variety of glasses via a magnetic docking station, giving you the ability to interface with any application. Vufine is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Plug ’N’ IoT

This unit makes creating an IoT gadget as easy as plugging in sensor, dragging and dropping the necessary library and uploading the code to the board. Avionics Control Systems is currently seeking $39,733 on Kickstarter.

Mikme

This portable recorder can capture high-quality 24-bit/96 kHz audio with the press of a button and then stream recordings over Bluetooth. Mikme is currently seeking $25,000 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.

Luzi is a smart lamp that will improve your sleep

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Luzi isn’t just a smart lamp that helps you sleep better, it may very well be the smartest lamp ever made.

If it’s up to one Palo Alto startup, sleepless nights may finally become a thing of the past. That’s because they have developed a new sophisticated smart lamp specifically designed to improve an individual’s quality of sleep, while giving its users bedside control of the devices around them.

The Luzi Smart Lamp is an advanced sleep system that uses the combination of therapeutic light, personalized sound and voice commands to help users ease into their nightly slumber much faster and wake up more refreshed. What’s more, its creators have put an entire control station on the nightstand, enabling its users to light up the room, tell it the time that they would like to be woken, as well as sync the tower with other smart home appliances.

In addition to a touchscreen display that doubles as an alarm and a personalized clock face that can show things such as temperature, weather reports and the date, Luzi boasts four USB ports capable of powering multiple phones and tablets, Qi and PMA-certified wireless charging capabilities, and even a charging stand for Apple Watch owners. Embedded with LEDs, the lamp can adjust between various colors from a warm, orange glow to a soft, white light. According to its creators, the accessory emulates natural daylight to keep a user’s circadian rhythm in check and assist in soothing them to sleep. Throughout the night, the system functions by maintaining the user’s ideal sleep state, whereas by morning, Luzi uses new sounds and light to gently wake the user.

“Luzi is the most advanced smart lamp ever made,” explains Joel Burke, co-founder and CEO. “Studies have found a direct correlation between the quality of one’s sleep with various health problems. Our expectation is that Luzi will help to remedy these issues and promote better sleep habits.”

Meanwhile, Luzi is equipped with a microphone that listens to voice commands and automatically detects snoring, along with built-in Bluetooth speakers to talk back and a temperature sensor for measuring the ambient temperature of a room. Designed with the Internet of Things in mind, the unit is compatible with a plethora of third party smart gadgets like Switchmate, Fitbit, LifeQ, Lockitron and Luna, which means users can interact with their connected home by voice, too.

Ready for a good night’s sleep? Head over to Luzi’s Indiegogo campaign, where the team is currently seeking $50,000. Delivery is slated for March 2016.

CPUSH is like your personal notification assistant

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This small cap ensures that you never miss an important notification and lets you immediately take action with the press of a button.

In today’s constantly connected world, we are bombarded with a seemingly never-ending stream of notifications on our smartphones. Whereas some may actually be important, it goes without saying that a vast majority can go without requiring our attention. However, those that are significant tend to sometimes get lost in the relentless feed of Facebook notifications, emails from colleagues or alerts from any one of countless integrated apps. Luckily, one London-based startup has set out to solve this problem.

CPUSH is a jellybean-sized unit plugs into any Android smartphone and serves as a personal notification assistant, enabling users to immediately act upon only crucial messages with just a press of a button. The pill-like cap, which comes in six different colors, boasts a red indicator light and a hidden button allowing users to take action. CPUSH can receive up to three different notifications at once, which in turn, lets users make three different actions simultaneously.

Even better, the small device is completely programmable. Through its accompanying mobile app, users can configure their button to call for help in an emergency, summon an Uber ride or keep tabs on a loved one, among countless other functions. Aside from merely syncing up with a smartphone, CPUSH was designed with the IoT in mind. In other words, owners can integrate it with IFTTT and Atooma, automate their smart home appliances ranging from Hue lights to Nest thermostats, as well as engage on any one of their favorite social channels.

Packed inside its half-square centimeter shell lies an ATtiny841 MCU at its heart, along with a few other electronic components. Impressively, CPUSH works without a power supply and therefore never requires recharging. What’s more, the system comes with an open source SDK to enable developers to explore their creativity and design applications that fit their own lifestyle.

Need one? Head over to CPUSH’s official Indiegogo campaign, where the team is currently seeking $30,000. Shipment is expected to get underway in November 2015.

15 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.

Model 01

This open source ergonomic keyboard is giving your overworked pinkies a break and putting your thumbs to work. Keyboardio is currently seeking $120,000 on Kickstarter.

Doppel

This performance-enhancing wearable can naturally make you feel more alert or relaxed on demand using the innate human response to rhythm. Team Turquoise is currently seeking $155,412 on Kickstarter.

Pebblebee Stone

This all-in-one device allows you to track your belongings, control your favorite music and snap selfies along the way. Pebblebee is currently seeking $30,000 on Indiegogo.

Aria

This clip-on unit lets you use finger gestures to command your Pebble Time or Android Wear smartwatch. Deus Ex is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Wino

This small board is like a smaller Arduino with built-in Wi-Fi. IAN is currently seeking $28,019 on Kickstarter.

Micro Drone 3.0

This palm-sized, fully-customizable drone can livestream footage right to your smartphone. Extreme Fliers is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

Bartesian

This Keurig-like machine enables you to create delicious cocktails at home without fancy recipes or multiple ingredients, just a capsule. Bartestian is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

MYLE TAP

This voice-powered wearable automatically converts your thoughts into actions by way of mobile apps. MYLE is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Hank the Beer Tank

This kegerator plugs right into your 12V outlet and lets you enjoy draft beer from anywhere, whether that’s your next tailgate or picnic. Hank the Beer Tank is currently seeking $75,000 on Kickstarter.

Instamic

This small unit wants to do the same for microphones as GoPro did for cameras. Instamic is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Laser Cube 2.0

This laser cutter and engraver comes with supper easy Gcode software to bring you a more delightful experience. Makers Wei and Sunny are currently seeking $2,000 on Kickstarter.

T-Rex

This pair of earphones connect via Bluetooth to any device, providing you with completely wireless-free listening. T-Rex is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Flitchio

This first-ever smartphone case with a built-in controller lets you play games, browse the web, pilot drones and more. SUPENTA is currently seeking $77,809 on Kickstarter.

Tyia

This luxurious smart bracelet filters notifications to discreetlly alert you only when it’s important. Viawear is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Suli

This portable, multi-functional solar module can be adapted for a variety of uses in everyday life. Suli is currently seeking $20,000 on Indiegogo.

MYLE TAP is the world’s first wearable thought catcher

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This touch-activated, voice-powered wearable automatically converts your thoughts into actions.

Did you know that the average person generates over 70,000 thoughts each day? Many of which are forgotten. Let’s face it, we’ve all been there: a great idea pops into your head while in the shower, in the car or out for a jog, only to find that by the time you grab a pen and paper, that million dollar concept or simple to-do is out of mind. What if there was a device that could easily capture that thought in a matter of seconds and then automatically convert it into action?

That’s the idea behind the latest innovation from one Calgary-based startup who has devised what they’re calling the “first wearable thought catcher.” As its slogan would imply, the MYLE TAP is a super stylish, touch-activated wearable voice recorder that instantly registers and analyzes spoken words, then sends them to one of many commonly used mobile apps. This can be everything from writing a Facebook message to a friend to jotting down an appointment in the calendar while driving or sharing a memo to a colleague in Evernote.

In addition to dozens of integrated program already available, MYLE TAP also features several applications of its own, including those that can help keep tabs on groceries, manage personal budgets, count calories and even control IoT systems. What’s more, it understands 42 languages.

Based on an Atmel | SMART SAM4S MCU, the super compact and lightweight gadget is equipped with an accelerometer, a Bluetooth Low Energy module, a few LEDs and a built-in battery capable of running up to a week on a single charge. MYLE TAP boasts some impressive memory as well, with a storage capacity of up to 2,000 voice notes.

As for its software, the MYLE TAP is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, along with countless apps already installed on a majority of today’s smartphone and tablets. Beyond that, the startup’s SDK/API enables users to develop their own programs.

So whether you’re a businessman, a stay-at-home mom, a fitness buff or a marketing guru with a constant stream of ideas, this wearable thought catcher may be for you. If so, head over to MYLE TAP’s Indiegogo campaign where the team is currently seeking $50,000. Shipment is expected to begin later this year.

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MetaWear Coin

Pocket NC

Relio

OKO

3DSimo Mini

T.brush

Conrod

QLIPP

Silk by Saffron

Gesto

Luzi Smart Lamp

Kiwi 3

Pura

Xkey Air

Vufine

Plug ’N’ IoT

Mikme

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Model 01

Doppel

Pebblebee Stone

Aria

Wino

Micro Drone 3.0

Bartesian

MYLE TAP

Hank the Beer Tank

Instamic

Laser Cube 2.0

T-Rex

Flitchio

Tyia

Suli

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