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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Bruno

This smart trash can not only reminds you to take out the garbage, but also vacuums up whatever crumbs you sweep its way. Its creators Jim Howard and Lori Montag are currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Nexpaq

This case allows you to easily customize, enhance and add new features to your smartphone by swapping out LEGO-like modules. Nexpaq is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

KADE miniConsole+

This device lets you connect retro gamepads and controllers to a wide variety of computers and consoles using plug-and-play detection. The Maker trio of Jon Wilson, Kevin Mackett, Bruno Freitas is currently seeking £2,345 on Kickstarter.

Neutrino

This open-source, 32-bit board crams the functionality of the Arduino Zero into a smaller package. Rabid Prototypes is currently seeking $5,000 on Kickstarter.

SmartRim

This wireless sensor system automatically hopes to end rim-scraping by detecting objects on the side of your vehicle as the wheels near the curb. SmartRim is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

MoonRay

This desktop machine is capable of 3D printing high-quality objects with resolutions as low as 100 microns on the X/Y axis. SprintRay is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Connected Cycle Pedal

This smart pedal can prevent theft and automatically record all of your rides and statistics, without using your phone battery. The Connected Cycle team is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

IKAWA

This digital micro roaster will let you roast your own coffee with the touch of a button. IKAWA Coffee is currently seeking £80,000 on Kickstarter.

Dogtelligent

This connected tracker provides health monitoring and integrated training features such as ultrasonic whistles and virtual leash technology. Dogtelligent is currently seeking $25,000 on Indiegogo.

Soundscapes

These modular headphones allow you to design and build a personalized audio experience. Axel Audio is currently seeking $180,000 on Kickstarter.

Autonomous Desk

This AI-powered desk will help you to become more productive and healthier at work, by learning your daily patterns and transitioning from sitting to standing. Robotbase is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Pulse Play

This wearable device aspires to improve the playing experience of all racquet sports with real-time scorekeeping, match history recording, commentating and more. Pulse Play is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

BUZWIZ.me

This connected gadget will add a new dimension to your favorite board games and common smartphone applications. BUZWIZ.me is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

FlexPV

This open-source development kit makes it easy for anyone to create their own remote-control vehicle. FlexPV is currently seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter.

PhoneDrone

This drone turns your smartphone into an autonomous aerial camera, integrated flight planner and tethered controller. xCraft is currently seeking $250,000 on Kickstarter.

Eve

This in-ground irrigation system uses fully-integrated moisture sensor feedback to transform your everyday lawn into a smart yard. Plaid Systems is currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

Reach

This affordable and extremely precise RTK GPS receiver is ideal for navigating drones, surveying and tracking. Emlid is currently seeking $27,000 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. 

KADE miniConsole+ is an open source device for retro gaming

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Connect retro controllers to this open source device to enjoy plug-and-play gaming across a number of old-school systems. 

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Many may argue that today’s video games with their realistic graphics are far superior than those of a much blockier, 8-bit era. However, any gamer born in the ‘80s may beg to differ. Let’s face it, there was just something about pulling out that cartridge, blowing into it, slipping it back in, and then powering up the system for a night of Mario Bros. Pair that with those unforgettable chiptunes and the clickety-clack of a controller, and you’re brought right back to your childhood.

Well, for those wishing to spark up some nostalgia, the KADE miniConsole+ is for you. Developed by the Maker trio of Jon Wilson, Kevin Mackett and Bruno Freitas, the versatile device was created to connect old-school gamepads and controllers to a wide variety of computers and consoles through plug-and-play detection. miniConsole+ is not only easy to use, but works right out of the box — in other words, no programming necessary. Just insert a controller of your choosing into one end of its shiny black aluminum case and the gaming system into the other, and you’re good to go.

The miniConsole+ lets users take a trip down memory lane by playing all of their favorite games as they were designed to be played and with their original controllers, ranging from Nintendo NES to Sega Genesis to Atari 2600 — through an optional add-on board. Meanwhile, users can connect non-USB systems like the PS1 and PS2 via RJ45, or wirelessly pair a Wiimote controller for Wii and Wii U games.

“We supply all of the adapter cables you need to connect up your favourite controllers and consoles to the miniConsole+ and we’ll also provide instruction and open source DIY options for the makers out there,” the team notes. “All gamepad (input) cables connect via the DB15 port. System (output) cables connect to either USB (type B) port or the RJ45 port.”

“The Playstation 2 is the best selling console of all time. In our extensive testing, the KADE team has finetuned the Playstation (PSX) output on miniConsole+ so that it works with popular converter cables. This allows you to connect the miniConsole+ device to the Xbox 360, Dreamcast and many other consoles.”

What’s more, its creators reveal that the miniConsole+ was designed with three distinct user types in mind. First, there’s the right-out-of-the-box-ready sort of person, who can get started without any programming knowledge required. Next, there’s the tinkerer who is able to plug their gadget into a Mac or Linux computer, reconfigure, update and add controls through a simple UI. Finally, there’s the die-hard Maker, who can tear it all apart and retrofit the unit into any project, whether that’s an arcade console or even a fight stick for those wishing to spark up some Mortal Kombat or Street Fighter nostalgia.

In addition, miniConsole+ comes with open source software that permits those wishing to modify their gamepads to do so with what the team calls “The Mapper.” This program gives a tinkerer the ability to manage their configurations all in one place, (rather than having to customize each and every emulator that they are running) and then verify updated mappings using the built-in gamepad tester.

If KADE sounds familiar, that’s because the team had first launched a Kickstarter campaign for its miniArcade back in 2013. At the time, the open source arcade interface was based on a Minimus AVR (AT90USB162) and aspired to make it super simple for users to connect arcade controls to their consoles and PCs of yesteryear. Following the tremendous success of its debut, the Makers went back to the drawing board, where after a number or revisions, redesigns and prototypes, now have a ready-for-market miniConsole+. Once again, the latest iteration is built around on Atmel AVR MCU, this time an ATmega32U4.

What’s nice is that the miniConsole+ can be extended with a choice of digital and analog expansion boards, making it easy for a user to wire up to their own custom arcade controls. Take for instance, team member Kevin Mackett, who devised a slick fight stick that could be connected to any supported system via its RJ45 and USB outputs. Then, there’s a Maker who whipped up a classic NES themed bar top, equipped with a pair of controller ports and its accompanying gamepads. As you can tell, the possibilities are endless.

Sound like something you’d love to own? We figured. Head over to the project’s official Kickstarter page, where the team is currently seeking £2,345.