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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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. 

This tiny sensor platform lets you build your own wearables

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MetaWear Coin is a complete, low-power solution that enables both Makers and businesses to develop wearable sensor products.

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Back in April, MbientLab unveiled a tiny BLE module that enabled Makers to build production-ready wearables right from their smartphones. MetaWear worked by connecting a product to a mobile device via Bluetooth, then logging or streaming six-axis of motion and environmental data. Following its success, the team has now launched a Kickstarter campaign for the MetaWear Coin — a mini, coin-cell powered sensor that can be used to develop any number of smart designs.

The highly-integrated Bluetooth platform includes wireless, sensor-packed hardware housed inside a simple and functional case, along with easy-to-use SDK and open source codes to help get Makers started. The MetaWear Coin is equipped with a BOSCH accelerometer, a temperature sensor, a BLE radio, a programmable pushbutton, an LED, GPIOs/SPI/I2C for additional sensors, as well as ARM Cortex-M0 SoC with 256KB of Flash and 16KB of RAM. The board can run three to six months on a single, replaceable battery.

Beyond that, the MetaWear Coin packs a robust set of features all into a tiny form factor, which makes it ideal for “always-on” applications in nearly every setting, such as health and fitness, gaming, navigation and sports. As the popularity for embedded fabric continues to rise, the sensor platform will also enable developers to craft efficient and intelligent wearable solutions for smart clothing, bags and other garments. Projects already created include an intelligent pocketbook, a temperature logging grocery bag and a concussion band that can detect head trauma, just to name a few.

“You tell the board what to do: read temperature data, log motion data, download log data in memory, sound an alarm when a button is pressed, adjust the volume of your Bluetooth speaker when the MetaWear is shaken, or anything else you can think of,” the team writes.

MetaSense’s proprietary software provides users with powerful analysis tools to better process sensor data, log information, receive input, keep tabs on movements, recognize gestures, turn devices on/off and trigger events.

Looking to get started on your own wearable solution? Head over to MetaWear Coin’s Kickstarter campaign, where the MbientLab crew is currently seeking $50,000. Delivery is expected to kick off in November 2015.

MotorMood is looking to make the road a happier and more social place

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Now you can say thanks to other drivers at night using a remote-controlled, light-up happy face.

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Living in places like Los Angeles and the Bay Area certainly have their perks, however they’re also notorious for extremely long and congested commutes. Born out of their own frustration with hostile traffic jams and miscommunication that often occurs between drivers, one Southern California-based startup has developed a way to make rush hour a bit friendlier. After all, if our roads and their potholes are becoming increasingly more social, shouldn’t our cars as well?

And so, MotorMood was born. By affixing the accessory to a rear window, users can easily say thanks to other drivers at night through a remote-controlled, light-up happy face. Sure that may not seem like much, but how often have you tried waving to a fellow driver to express your gratitude for letting you pass or make your way into the morning gridlock, only to wonder if they ever saw it? Fortunately, this can take out the guesswork.

The emoticon illuminates for six seconds through a remote control button that clips onto a sun visor, just like a garage door opener, and requires very little, if any, concentration to operate. What’s more, drivers can select from one of three colors to start: blue, pink, or green. There is also a red face overlay certain jurisdictions which require all rear-facing lights to be red.

The device, which measures 4.8″ in diameter, has been optimized for nighttime use, meaning that it’s vibrant enough to be seen from afar without distracting others. The face calls for a set of four AA batteries while the remote uses one coin cell, with a life of around six months.

“MotorMood uses a proprietary light guide display to create a beautiful, high quality image on the road. Three specifically placed LEDs fire light into a substrate with tiny divots, which distribute the light across the product’s surface for an evenly lit appearance. The brightness has been carefully optimized for nighttime use so that it’s bright and vibrant, but does not interfere with visibility or safety,” its creators explain.

So why a smiley face, you may ask? Research has proven that simply staring at the happy emoticon for five seconds can actually make someone feel happier than they were before.

However, as rudimentary as a light-up ‘thank you’ may sound, MotorMood is hoping to expand upon its array of emojis with themed collections and even licensed characters. Despite requests, the company says that it will never produce middle fingers or angry faces. (Sorry, New Yorkers!)

Yet, what really excites its team is the possibility of Bluetooth connectivity that would pair with a “Kindle-like display that could serve as a status bar for your car.” Looking ahead, the team tells Entrepreneur that future iterations may be configured to track the number of smiles given or received per day via an accompanying mobile app, as well as do things like recognize the kind of music playing on the radio that will then show that information like a real-time bumper sticker.

Sound like something you’d love to have in your car window? Apparently you’re not alone, as its Kickstarter campaign is well on its way to garnering its pledge goal of $150,000.

SecureAxcess is a secure and encrypted USB token

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This cybersecurity solution will keep the bad guys away from your personal information. 

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With each week seemingly bringing news of another data breach, it’s no wonder a vast majority of people are gripped by anxiety. Fortunately, one Clearwater, Florida startup has developed a new way to put that uneasiness to rest, by ensuring that their most sensitive information is protected from malicious hacking, phishing, snooping, mining and any other form of cyber crimes. Vir-Sec’s solution? The aptly named SecureAxcess. 

The company has created and patented what they are billing as “the world’s first, and only, method of secure communication.” Designed with speed and simplicity in mind, a user plugs the flash drive-like token into the USB port of any computer, enters their password and launches a “browser-less” platform called SecureCommunique — a closed messaging, file transfer and chat application that operates inside of SecureAxcess. This limited distribution tool enables users to send emails and documents, as well as engage in other forms of communication in a secure environment, without the threat of intruders. What’s more, the individual’s data and login page cannot be accessed by anyone other than them, and their token.

“It has the look and feel of a browser, but it’s not one! Browsers are bad for accessing secure data. Most major vulnerabilities and methods of attack come from browsers. Eliminating the browser eliminates that threat,” its creator Chris Murphy explains. “The IP address is constantly shifting and is unique to your token so hackers can’t find where to try and break in. It’s like your front door keeps moving around and you can only find it if you have the correct key.”

SecureAxcess also promises true two-factor authentication, requiring both something physical (their token) and something a user knows (their password) in order to access the confidential data.

“When you physically go to the bank, do you just give a name and password to withdraw cash? Of course not, but then why have we allowed it to be so online? Our token acts like you online, physically showing you are who you say while accessing important data,” Murphy adds.

Another nice feature is that the program runs entirely from RAM on the token itself, not the computer. Reason being, hackers can compromise browsers and other installed software quite easily. As for its hardware, the pocket-sized device is based on an Atmel | SMART SAMA5 Cortex-A5 MPU and boasts built-in cryptographic security (AES).

“The best way to secure data is to allow authentication to happen at a secure, off-site location, free from software and browsers. Also you can’t open the token and access the parts. The token is a solid fused piece of plastic that cannot be opened without destroying the data.”

Looking for a peace of mind when it comes to safeguarding your online information? Head over to SecureAxcess’ official Kickstarter page, where Vir-Sec is currently seeking $250,000. 

Conrod is a dev board for the automotive world

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Conrod is the world’s first fully-programmable, connected app platform for your car.

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Ideal for auto enthusiasts looking to personalize their ride, Conrod is a small device that plugs into the CAN bus of a VW brand car and lets users customize its features. More than just a data logger or diagnostic tool, the dev board provides developers with the ability to create their own apps and run them right in the vehicle. In other words, the days of having to write programs on a smartphone and then connect them via a dongle are over!

Conrod interfaces with any VW car — including Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley — through its CAN bus, enabling a user to decode and manipulate messages to change the way that the vehicle operates. The fully-programmable unit can function as a standalone device, or can be paired with a 3G SIM to take advantage of its on-board cellular modem for Internet connectivity. For situations where 3G may not be an option, Conrod can sync to a smartphone or tablet via Bluetooth 4.0 as well.

The standard Conrod installation is designed to remain out of sight, with all of the configurations performed on a mobile device. To really let the platform shine, however, Conrod includes an add-on 3.2″ full color touchscreen for output vehicle information, which eliminates the need for a smartphone. This display comes in a self-contained case with GoPro mounting points, allowing a user to secure it in their car with any GoPro compatible mount.

Conrod ships with several pre-installed apps for both Android and iOS gadgets, including a GPS data logger that keeps tabs on a vehicle’s location, a fuel economy tracker that monitors and records gas consumption, smart speed alerts that trigger emails and push notifications, as well as IFTTT-like logic blocks that can be defined to fit the needs and preferences of its user. For example, drivers can set it to roll up all the windows whenever the doors lock or sound the horn in the event of a sudden stop. Aside from displaying things such as oil and transmission temperatures, users can devise their own apps to view weather forecasts, tweets and just about anything else that comes to mind, all pulled down via Conrod’s cellular data connection.

In terms of hardware, the board boasts an Atmel | SMART SAM3X8E Cortex-M3 MCU, 8MB of memory, GPS, a SIM socket, Bluetooth 4.0 radio, an accelerometer and gyroscope, three temperature sensors, five CAN network transceivers, OBD-II diagnostic circuitry, and an external serial expansion jack. What’s more, Conrod is completely Arduino compatible.

While a number of startups have recently launched innovative products that can turn any older set of wheels into a smart car, Conrod taps into the CAN instead of the OBD-II port.

“Unlike OBD2, which is an open standard that anyone can read about, the CAN protocols used by specific vehicle manufacturers is not public information, and each manufacturer uses a different CAN language. We’ve spent thousands of hours decoding the CAN protocols in recent VW Group vehicles to enable Conrod to communicate with the CAN networks as if it was installed by the factory itself,” its creators add.

So, are you ready to pimp your ride? Then hurry over to its Kickstarter page, where the Conrod team is currently seeking $77,786. Delivery is expected to begin in December 2015.

The Fibonacci Clock requires you to do math to tell the time

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This open source clock is for nerds with style, and even doubles as a lava lamp.

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Over the past couple of years, various iterations of modern-day timepieces have emerged on Kickstarter. While Makers have come up with just about everything from nixie and binary to projection and word clocks, none of them have ever required a little math in order to tell the time. That was up until now.

As for what may very well be the nerdiest clock of all-time, Canadian software developer Philippe Chrétien has devised a gadget that uses the Fibonnaci Sequence to reveal the time. For those unfamiliar with the sequence created by the Italian mathematician Leonardo Fibonacci back in the 13th century, the pattern begins with 1 and 1, and each subsequent number is the sum of the previous two. 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, etc. For this device, the Maker only used the first five terms: 1, 1, 2, 3 and 5.

The screen of the aptly named Fibonacci Clock is comprised of five colorful squares, whose side lengths match the first five sequential numbers (1, 1, 2, 3 and 5) and are backlit with LEDs. Red illuminations are used to denote the hours, while green for the minutes. When a square is tasked with displaying both the hours and minutes, it emits blue. All of the white squares are there for decorative purposes and can be ignored.

Unlike its digital counterparts, which simply require you to glance over at the time, this clever piece calls for you to hone your arithmetic skills along with some color-changing effects. To read the hour, add up the corresponding values of the red and blue squares. To read the minutes, do the same with the green and blue squares. The minutes are shown in five minute increments (0 to 12) so you have to multiply your result by five to get the actual number.

For instance, take the time of 9:25. 9:00 would be indicated by a red 5, a red 1 and a blue 3, in other words 5 + 1 + 3 = 9. Meanwhile,  the 0:25 would then be made up of green 2 and blue 3, or 2 + 3 = 5. 5 x 5 = 25 minutes. Confused? Let’s just hope your brain likes a little challenge in the morning. Turns out, there are actually multiple ways to display a single time as well.

“To add to the challenge, the combinations are picked randomly from all the different ways a number can be displayed. There are, for example, 16 different ways to display 6:30 and you never know which one the clock will use,” the Maker writes.

Chrétien says the clock is ideal for “curious and inventive people who like a timepiece that keeps them on their toes.” And there seems to be plenty of them out there, as the gadget attracted more than 1,240 backers during its Kickstarter run.

What’s more, the Fibonacci Clock can also be transformed into a lava-like lamp by pressing the mode button on its back. Two different lamp modes are included, yet in true open source fashion, users can hack the clock to make it their own. That’s because the innovative accessory is driven by an ATmega328P, which means its code can be modified using the Arduino IDE. The electronics are all housed inside an aesthetically-pleasing wooden case.

“The possibilities are as infinite as the Fibonacci sequence! I can’t wait to see what you will come up with,” Chrétien writes.

Following its incredibly successful crowdfunding campaign — which garnered over $181,000 — assembly is underway with shipments expected to begin this fall. Sound like a gadget you’d love to have? Pre-order yours today.

This three-axis motion sensor gyroscope is based on an Arduino Pro Mini

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Maker Martin Cote has developed a three-axis motion sensor gyroscope that enables you to track head or arm movement, then reproduce it on servos. 

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Initially conceived for head-tracking FPV goggles, Martin Cote has created a three-axis motion sensor gyroscope based on an Arduino Pro Mini (ATmega328). Applicable in a wide range of settings, users can track the movement of the head or arm, and replicate it on a set of servos.

Available in two different versions, both wired (Iota) and wireless (Z-ita), the gyroscope is ideal for Makers seeking an inexpensive head-tracking system yet are not comfortable with the advanced programming of accelerometers. Sample use cases include robotics, remote-controlled toys, gaming and interfacing with computers.

First, Iota provides users with the ability to control mini servos that reproduce movement on three axes, as well as reverse the direction of the servos to act as a stabilizer. Measuring just 1” x 3″ in size, the super small and lightweight unit can be easily integrated into any project. Meanwhile, Z-ita does pretty much the same thing but wirelessly within a range of 30 to 50. This set comes with the Ita receiver, which transmits the signals to the servos, as well as a battery capable of lasting of over two hours. What’s more, it offers a selection of 16 channels at the frequency of 2.4Ghz, and allows more than one to be used at a time.

“You want to use the accelerometer signals to another type of application? Get the Iota or Z-ita set and plug it into your Arduino MCU according to the video and use the sketch file provided (which you can adapt to your needs), and look for new possibilities to suit your needs.”

Interested? Head over to Kickstarter page, where Cote has already well exceeded his initial goal of $408. Shipment is expected to begin in October 2015. 

Plug ’N’ IoT lets you create a smart device in just four clicks

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Just plug any sensor into the board, download the necessary libraries and you have yourself an IoT device.

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Created by Dutch startup Avionics Control Systems, Plug ‘N’ IoT is an extremely easy way for Makers of all levels to design connected gizmos and gadgets. Whether it’s a securing a home with motion sensors or tracking a cat through GPS, anything is possible with four clicks of the mouse on a PC.

Plug ’N’ IoT comes in two versions: basic and premium. Both models are comprised of an Atmel | SMART SAM3X8E processor, a GSM module and connectors, with the latter also including a shield. The Cortex-M3-based MCU boasts 512 KB of memory, operates at 84Mhz and features a maximum of 103 I/O pins. What’s more, the unit is compatible with just about every sensor and Arduino shield available today.

How it works is pretty straightforward: A user plugs a sensor into the unit, drags and drops the suitable libraries, and uploads the code to the board. That’s it. What’s nice is that Plug ’N’ IoT is designed for everyone — no programing experience required. However, well-seasoned Makers have the option of devising and adding their own sketches. This opens the door to a countless applications, which range from monitoring air quality inside a home to keeping tabs on the temperature of an aquarium, maintaining optimal soil moisture or protecting an entryway. In any case, the sensor can detect a change in the environment and send a real-time reminder by way of text message to its user.

Have an idea for an IoT project that you’d like to bring to life? Head over to Plug ’N’ IoT’s official Kickstarter page, where the Avionics Control Systems crew is currently seeking $39,733. Delivery is set for March 2016.

Bartesian makes cocktails from capsules in seconds

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This Keurig-like machine will mix the perfect cocktail with the press of a button.

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Generally speaking, creating more than the simplest mixed drink at home requires several ingredients along with a little bartender know-how. Fortunately, one Waterloo, Ontario startup has developed an automated solution to that problem. Like a Keurig for cocktails, the Bartesian is a capsule-based machine that enables anyone to expertly make their favorite summer alcoholic beverages in a matter of seconds with just the press of a button.

The next-generational kitchen appliance works by inserting a pod and selecting the strength of the drink (from light to heavy pours). From there, the robotic bartender will whip up the perfect amalgamation every time. What’s nice is that, instead of having to stock up on different liqueurs, bitters and juices, the Bartesian packs all of those flavors into one tiny capsule. A user must still supply the booze, of course.

The machine is equipped with four little glass reservoirs that can be filled with any of the basic spirits, namely vodka, gin, tequila and whiskey, which are then used to craft drinks based on the recipes associated with each pod. This is made possible through an intelligent barcode system that automatically reads the ingredients for the chosen cocktail and begins preparing it to one’s liking.

The team has launched six of their favorite blends for its Kickstarter campaign — including classics like Margarita, Sex on the Beach and Cosmopolitan and three signatures — with plenty more to come in the near future. A la carte selections, themed packs and seasonal varieties are also among some of the options that will become available.

Built around an ATmega2560 MCU, the electronics are all housed inside a sleek metal enclosure with stainless steel accents. The Bartesian features an ultra-simple, three button interface that lets users pick the drink, choose its strength and start the process.

Similar to many other startups these days, its inventors Bryan Fedorak and Jason Neevel decided to head to Shenzhen to finalize the product’s design and set up its supply chain, all under the guidance of HAXLR8R — one of the world’s leading hardware accelerators. And now, the crew is ready for mass production.

Sound like a device you’d love to have for your next Friday night party or Saturday afternoon BBQ? Although the team recently completed their successful Kickstarter campaign, Bartestian is still available for pre-order on its website here. Delivery is expected to get underway in April 2016.

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. 

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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.

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.