PupPod is a smart dog toy that trains and entertains

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Man’s best friend is smart. His toys, not so much… until now. 

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For dog owners, do you ever wonder what your pup does when you’re away? Or maybe you do know because you’ve had the experience of coming home to destroyed furniture, garbage strewn on the floor, and… an anxious dog. This destructive behavior has been attributed to separation anxiety in dogs, so what can you do to keep your best friend from feeling lonely? Canine owner and software designer Erick Eidus has a solution.

Meet PupPod, an interactive, self-learning pet toy that helps reduce boredom, anxiety and destructive behavior in dogs, while also helping them learn new skills when you’re out for the day. Eidus had conceived the idea after he started thinking of games from a dog’s perspective and how pet parents could better understand their pet, check in on them and even interact with them when at work. He brought this idea to an Arduino meet-up, and it materialized in just 48 hours. After testing over 250 dogs across five prototypes, the Maker and his team are now ready to make PupPod available to a community of pilot users.

PupPod is a smart platform that is wirelessly connected to a treat dispenser, video camera and an accompanying mobile app. The unit offers a new use of the operant conditioning method by having your dog play multi-level games and earn treat rewards. You can stream live video, make decisions in the game, trigger treats remotely and record videos. You can also review your dog’s progress, monitor and set limits to treat/food rewards, as well as understand what they’re learning all through your own doggy dashboard. Aside from that, the gives you access to a growing PupPod community and a leaderboard so you can compare your four-legged companion to your friends or other dogs of similar age and breed.

Built around the LightBlue Bean (ATmega328P), the PupPod is comprised of three components: an incredibly tough and durable Kong Wobbler to house the toy; a PupPod Hub which includes a 720p HD camera, Bluetooth integration and a RaspberryPi B+ to send data and video to the PupCloud; and a treat dispenser. The platform employs a motion sensor to detect when your dog comes near and emits sounds from an internal speaker to get your dog’s attention. The toy communicates with the PupPod Hub over Wi-Fi and uses an accelerometer to sense motion when it’s touched.

Eidus and his team have just wrapped up a successful Kickstarter campaign, and hope to get the first batch of toys out come February. Interested in one of your own? Check out PupPod’s official page here.

Goldilocks Analogue is bringing audio capabilities to Arduino

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This board is like an Arduino, but with audio superpowers! 

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In an effort to bring analog capabilities to the Arduino environment, Phillip Stevens has developed a board he calls the Goldilocks Analogue.

The Goldilocks Analogue, which was also named a quarterfinalist in this year’s Hackaday Prize, provides Makers with all of the analog audio input and output they could possibly need, together with sufficient data storage options. With this board, Makers will have the ability to delve into the world of digital synthesis, human auditory augmentation, sound activated systems, signal processing and analog process control, among many other things.

If the name seems vaguely familiar, that’s because you may recall Stevens from his 2013 project, Goldilocks. Two years ago, the Maker devised an Arduino Uno clone using the ATmega1284P MCU for applications that required more SRAM and Flash memory than what the ATmega328P could support, all without sacrificing the Uno’s footprint. Although his initial efforts achieved its goal, the resulting platform still lacked one function that he believed was a necessity: high-quality analog input and output.

“The world is analog, but having an ADC capability without having a corresponding digital-to-analog capability, is like having a real world recorder with no means to playback and recover these real world recordings,” the Maker explains.

Fast forward to 2015 and the successor is yet again built around the mighty ATmega1284P. As Steven points out, the external analog output platform has been optimized to provide dual-channel stereo output (up to 48k samples per second) by overclocking the AVR MCU to 24.576MHz. The Goldilocks Analog is equipped with a 12-bit DAC that offers dual-stereo channels with output voltage ranging from 0V to 4.095V, which is fed to both a high-current capable op-amp and a dedicated headphone amplifier. These options enable optimal reproduction of audio, as well as DC level referenced analog outputs.

“The DAC is driven by the ATmega1284P USART1 in Master SPI Mode. This frees up the normal Arduino SPI bus to access the MicroSD card, or either of the two on-board SPI interface memory devices, 23LC1024 256KB SRAM and AT25M01 256KB EEPROM, without any timing constraints,” the Maker writes.

Meanwhile, audio input is managed by an AGC microphone amplifier. Gain is adjustable from 40dB (default for typical smartphone headset microphone) up to 60dB, which also lends support to electro-cardio or other high sensitivity applications. Aside from that, he included a level shifted non-amplified signal (for line-in).

According to Stevens, the main switched-mode power supply is rated at well over 2A, and is filtered by a second order LC network to provide a clean 5V for the analog platform. Lastly, the Goldilocks Analogue incorporates a 3.3V 1A regulator for the microSD card and 3.3V shields. The negative supply for the op-amp is handled by a -3V inverting charge pump regulator and filtered by a first order LC network.

So what can you create with this board? While the possibilities are endless, example projects include a triple oscillator digital synthesizer, a digital walkie-talkie, a sound-sensing alarm and even an Internet-connected baby monitor. And to make all of the analog power easy-to-use, the Goldilocks Analogue is compatible with the Visuino IDE for drag-and-drop signal programming.

“Using a smartphone-compatible 3.5mm socket, a microphone input and headphone outputs can connect your sounds into the Arduino world. Samples of sound can be played back from on-board SRAM or recorded onto the EEPROM to be recovered later,” Stevens adds. “Up to a minute of telephone quality audio can be stored (less for higher quality), or played back using the on-board storage. The microSD card can store and play back GB of audio, if desired.”

Intrigued? Head over to the Goldilocks Analogue’s Kickstarter campaign, where the Maker is currently seeking $5,813. You can also browse through his exhaustive project log, which breaks down the entire build process. The first batch of units is expected to begin shipping in March 2016.

BeON Home makes it look like you’re home, even when you’re not

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This system will make having a safer, smarter home as simple as screwing in a light bulb.

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Did you know that four burglaries occur every minute in the United States? That’s a startling one every 15 seconds. The good news is that most convicted burglars (90%) claim they want to avoid homes with alarm systems, saying that if they did encounter an alarm, they would abort the mission altogether. However, the bad news is that nearly two-thirds of homeowners fail to turn on their unit at all times.

Undoubtedly, the Internet of Things has made way for an influx of smart bulbs as of late. Sure, they can change colors, set the mood and even sync up to what’s playing on TV, but they may all pale in comparison to BeON Home. Last November, the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based startup introduced the first Bluetooth Smart home protection system that rolls preventative security and emergency lighting all into one unique solution. And today, it’s now available!

As its name would imply, BeON is designed to make it look like you’re home, even when you’re not. This lets you not only can you enjoy lighting in the event of an emergency or power outage, but also taking a proactive approach to thwart potential intruders. The system itself is comprised of LED bulbs that can be plugged into any standard socket and produce 800 lumens (equivalent to 60W), along with smart modules which are hidden inside.

Sound a little familiar? Not only is it because you may’ve backed BeON on Kickstarter in 2014, but the premise is rather reminiscent of the 1990s blockbuster film Home Alone. In the movie, Kevin McCallister (played by Macaulay Culkin) outwits a pair of criminals by creating a DIY home security system. During one scene, Kevin goes to great lengths to set up a fake Christmas party in order to deceive the “Wet Bandits” (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern) into believing that the house was inhabited.

Since intruders prefer unoccupied homes, the BeON smart modules automatically learn your family’s everyday lighting patterns and then replay them while you’re away — without having to go through such great lengths as Kevin McCallister. If a would-be burglar checks to see if you’re home by ringing the doorbell, BeON can hear the doorbell via its Atmel | SMART SAM G based sound detection engine and trigger the lights on sequentially as if you are awakening and moving throughout the house.

Even better, the LEDs can be installed just like ordinary bulbs into either lamps or recessed lights. Once in place, the system goes into action, quietly learning your activity patterns. To ensure your privacy, the bulbs communicate with one another and its accompanying mobile app locally over Bluetooth Smart. And using Qualcomm’s CSRmesh technology, notifications and messages can be carried through a network of multiple bulbs without the need for a hub or router.

And its smartness doesn’t stop there. In fact, BeON bulbs boast backup rechargeable batteries, ensuring its burglar prevention powers work even without power, and can flick on the lights whenever a smoke detector or carbon monoxide detector goes off to help you escape safely.

Intrigued? The BeON starter kit — which consists of three LED bulbs and three smart modules — will run you $199, with additional bulbs $75 a piece.

monkey can make your existing intercom smart

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monkey takes smart lock technology to the next level by eliminating the physicality of a key.

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Keys exist to grant secure access to specific doors, but let’s face it, they’re rather easy to lose or leave behind. Think about it, how many times have you been locked out of your home simply due to forgetfulness? Not to mention, how often do you approach the door only to find that you don’t have a free hand to fumble around your pocket? Wouldn’t it be more convenient if there was a keyless yet secure solution to enter our buildings? This is exactly what Munich-based startup LOCUMI LABS set out to solve with monkey. 

Although smart locks seem to be ubiquitous these days, the same can’t be said for those living in either an apartment complex or in a gated home. This is where monkey comes in. Hands-free, remote-controlled access won’t only take away the hassle of misplaced keys, but will help avoid the headaches that come with unattended package deliveries — in other words, say goodbye to redelivery slips stuck to your door!

Its founders, Christoph Baumeister and Daniel Jahn, both studied at the renowned Technical University of Munich (Technische Universität München) and envisioned launching a company that could improve the world. With monkey, they have introduced the first upgraded smart control for your intercom that enables you to remotely control any door from your smartphone without having to modify anything. Just place the small, Wi-Fi and Atmel powered chip into the apartment’s intercom and presto! monkey will offer you, your family and friends, and service providers easy access into your building without ever needing a physical key.

With monkey, you can unlock your main entrance or gate in one of three ways. First, the chip can detect the GPS location of your smartphone and open the door as you approach. This is great for when you’re carrying a lot of things and don’t have a free hand to dig for keys. Secondly, entry can be simplified through an accompanying mobile app, which allows you ask monkey to open the door from wherever you are, or by pressing the button in the app and activating the buzzer instantly. For instance, if you have friends coming over, you can now grant them access without having to be there in person or handing over a set of keys. Lastly, you can set up time-windows during which monkey can open the door automatically for you. whenever the expected individual rings the bell. This removes the burden of package deliveries or handyman calls when you’re not at available during the day. It can even be a suitable option for renters or Airbnb hosts.

monkey’s patent-pending solution can impressively be installed in less than three minutes, and doesn’t require the help of an electrician nor the approval of a landlord. The 50mm x 16mm chip can self-adhere inside pretty much any intercom, and pairs it with your smartphone via your home’s Wi-Fi. From there, you can receive alerts whenever the door rings as well as activate the buzzer from the monkey app. And because it integrates into your intercom’s power supply, you’ll never need to charge or replace batteries. What’s more, the compact unit also protects your residence from unauthorized persons with its SSL encryption technology.

Are you ready to go keyless? If so, head over monkey’s Kickstarter page, where the LOCUMI LABS crew has surpassed its $56,860 goal. Delivery is expected to get underway in June 2016.

25 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 caught our attention on Kickstarter and Indiegogo over the last seven days. 

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BLOCKS

This modular smartwatch lets you piece together various links on its strap, each with their own function. BLOCKS has accrued well over its initial Kickstarter goal of $250,000.

Raise3D

This series of high-res, upgradable 3D printers provide Makers with a touchscreen user interface, remote monitoring and print job management via Wi-Fi and Ethernet. Raise3D has already well surpassed its goal of $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Antelope

This lineup of embedded sportswear stimulates each of your major muscle groups to help you achieve your fitness goals faster than ever. Antelope Club has blown right past its $50,000 goal on Indiegogo.

CellRobot

This DIY kits empowers Makers to assemble, configure and control their own robot. KEYi Technology is currently seeking $75,000 on Kickstarter.

Glassy Zone

This wearable device tracks your surfing activity as well as your exposure to UV rays. Glassy Pro is currently seeking $35,000 on Indiegogo.

Waylens

This beautifully-crafted camera system empowers drivers to easily capture, edit and share interesting moments right from the road. Waylens has already quadrupled its goal of $55,000 on Kickstarter.

Shammane Smartwatch

This elegant wearable packs all of the technology and connectivity you’d expect from a smartwatch, without sacrificing style. Shammane is currently $55,000 on Indiegogo.

monkey

This upgrade for your existing intercom allows you to enjoy all the benefits of a smart lock without having to change a single thing at your door. LOCUMI LABS just hit its goal of $56,860 on Kickstarter.

Solu

This innovative, cloud-linked computer will make it so that you never again have to worry about your hard drive, backing up files or installing software. Solu Machines is currently seeking $227,812 on Kickstarter.

Skybuds

This set of wireless earbuds features a battery-boosting smartphone case for charging and storage. Alpha Audiotronics is currently seeking $200,000 on Kickstarter.

Readybox

This reliable, high-speed desktop 3D printer spits out objects six times faster than other consumer machines. Readybox has successfully attained its $12,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Amino

This countertop-sized biolab enables you to grow living cells and to create new and interesting things, such as fragrances, flavours, materials and medicine. Amino Labs is currently seeking $12,500 on Indiegogo.

Felfil Evo

This open source 3D printer extruder lets you produce your own filament ranging in color, diameter and material. Collettivo Cocomeri is currently seeking $34,172 on Kickstarter.

Helixee

This connected unit backs up the content from all your devices, either automatically or upon request. Novathings is currently seeking $79,605 on Kickstarter.

Tracksoar

This small, lightweight and ready-to-fly APRS tracker will diminish the headaches and costs associated with high-altitude ballooning. Mike Bales is currently seeking $22,000 on Kickstarter.

meeba

This smart, customizable and extremely fun doorbell allows you to select from various modes, and to monitor the doorstep right from your smartphone. meeba is currently seeking $40,000 on Indiegogo.

Elbee

This pair of earbuds lets you to enjoy high-quality sound, all while accessing your smartphone with simple voice commands and slight head movements. LBTECH is currently seeking $250,000 on Kickstarter.

SizeGenie

This body scanner can quickly and accurately take your measurements to ensure you always get perfectly-fitting clothes when shopping online. Tom Brooks and Pietro Veragouth are currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

Howz

This unobtrusive system analyzes electricity usage and sensor data to learn an elderly person’s daily routine and notify family members know if things don’t seem right. Howz is currently seeking $91,981 on Kickstarter.

HÜD

This medical-grade lens attaches to any smartphone camera, enabling you to take crystal-clear images of the moles on your skin. First Derm is currently seeking $25,000 on Indiegogo.

SFC-Mini

This Arduino-compatible, USB MIDI controller bridges the gap between hardware and software to offer you a complete synthesizer experience. Soudforce Controllers is currently seeking $17,036 on Kickstarter.

DigiRule

This 15-centimeter interactive binary ruler not only lets you draw straight lines, but boasts seven logic gates, four flip flops and a four-bit binary counter. Bradley Slattery is currently seeking $2,935 on Kickstarter.

Tinker Tie

This hackable, Arduino-compatible LED bow-tie can last over 20 hours on a single charge. Atom Computer is currently seeking $1,000 on Kickstarter.

Lumen

This nifty little gadget converts your body heat into everlasting light, without any external energy source. Rost is currently seeking $5,000 on Kickstarter.

Did you happen to miss last week’s notable campaigns? If so, you can check them out here.

Readybox may be the world’s fastest consumer 3D printer

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This desktop 3D printer can extrude six times faster than existing 3D printers without any risk of clogging.

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Readybox is a super speedy 3D printer reportedly capable of spitting out objects six times faster than other leading consumer 3D printers.

The brainchild of University of Maryland engineering student Brett Potter, the ReadyBox was born out of his own frustrations with the lack of quality in most user-friendly devices. He discovered that although many of these printers are affordable, they aren’t always so reliable. Constant malfunctioning leads to ongoing maintenance and new parts, none of which are cheap. Making matters worse, the speeds associated with such 3D printers generally run on the slow side of the spectrum — not great for when time is of the essence. So as any Maker would do, Potter decided to build a unit of his own that fully satisfied his appetite and met each of his demands.

“Our dream is to push the 3D printing industry forward to the point where 3D printing is a truly household technology. In order for this to happen, consumer 3D printers need to be as fast and as reliable as the industrial printers currently on the market. Readybox is designed to be the next step in achieving this goal,” Potter shares.

As the Maker explains, a majority of 3D printer movement systems max out at around 200-250mm/second, often restricted by friction and the heaviness of its own components. Not to mention, even if a printer can overcome these obstacles and its speed, it is then limited by extrusion as most extruder motors can only apply a certain amount of force to plastic filament before the filament breaks or the motor stalls.

Thanks to Potter’s patent-pending extrusion system, Readybox is able to avoid these constant hurdles and to apply significantly more force to the plastic. This eliminates clogging and enables the filament to flow faster than previously thought possible. This means that, although Readybox uses a larger 0.6mm nozzle, it can move at speeds much faster than existing machines on the market — we’re talking up 400mm/seconds and layers between 50 and 450 microns thick. To put things into perspective, models that would normally require upwards of 20 hours on other gadgets takes less than three hours on ReadyBox.

And not only can it produce objects with incredibly great detail, its impressive build volume allows it to take full advantage of its high speed. Designed to provide users with a professional-grade service on their desktop, Readybox will automatically calibrate itself, level its heated build plate and clean its nozzle before going on to the next job, thereby ensuring that every print is as accurate as the first. These features, coupled with the clog-free extrusion system, eradicate the most commonly experienced problems seen with other consumer printers.

In terms of electronics, ReadyBox boasts a 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 core and an easy-to-use LCD screen with SD card support so that it can print by itself, even when a PC isn’t present. Additional specs include:

• Printer size: 550cm by 55cm by 56cm (21.5” x 21.5” x 22”)
• Print area: 33cm x 33cm x 33cm (13” x 13” x 13”)
• Layer thickness: 0.05mm (50 microns) to 0.4mm (400 microns)
• Top print speed: 400mm/second at 0.05mm layer thickness
• Travel speed: up to 700mm/second
• Nozzle: 0.6mm
• Filament: PLA (2.85mm or 3mm)

Ready for faster prints without sacrificing quality? Head over to Readybox’s Kickstarter campaign, where Potter and his team are currently seeking $12,500. Delivery is projected for next spring.

Tinker Tie is a hackable LED bow-tie

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The Tinker Tie is a fully-programmable, Arduino-compatible LED bow-tie that can last over 20 hours on a single charge.

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Fred Astaire. Pee-Wee Herman. Bill Nye. Justin Timberlake. From celebs to businessmen, what’s not to love about the always classic look of the bow-tie? Although for years this ribbon of fabric has been made from silk, polyester, cotton or a mixture of materials, the Atom Computer crew is looking to bring the fashion accessory into the wearable tech era. Introducing the Tinker Tie.

The Tinker Tie is a colorful and customizable device with 28 RGB LEDs that’ll surely add a little pizazz to your prom tuxedo, EDM concert attire or Halloween costume. Based on an Adafruit Pro Trinket (ATmega328), the piece can be programmed using the Arduino IDE and Adafruit NeoPixel library to emit countless color changes and animations as you illuminate the night.

Data is received by the first LED, then sent through to the rest of the lights in a zig-zag pattern. Because of a special chip built into each LED, you can (magically) control an entire array of lights from only one data pin. Meanwhile, an integrated 500mAh LiPo battery pack provides over 20 hours of enjoyment on a single charge. Once it’s all drained out, simply plug in the Tinker Tie to your computer via USB and quickly refuel.

For its Kickstarter launch, the tie will ship in either fully assembled or kit form. And not only is it clearly an attention-grabbing fashion statement, it can be an excellent educational tool as well! Although the current PCB color for prototypes is green, the team hopes to upgrade to fancy black circuit boards in the very near future.

Want to stand out at your next party? Want to light up the stage? Want to turn some heads at Maker Faire? Whatever your desire, you can head over to Tinker Tie’s page here.

BLOCKS is the world’s first modular smartwatch

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This future-proof, interchangeable device will be the last smartwactch you’ll ever need.

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For quite some time, modern-day gadgetry has taken a one-size-fits-all approach. Though many different sensors can be embedded in our devices, space is always the limiting factor. This leads designers to select features that they feel are right for “everyone” and forces consumers to compromise on what they want from their equipment. Fortunately, this may be a thing of the past thanks to one UK-based startup who wants to do the same for wearables as Google’s Project Ara has set out to do for smartphones.

In effort to provide you with a smart accessory that reflects your individuality, BLOCKS is the world’s first modular smartwatch that enables you to customize your timepiece to best suit your needs and lifestyle. No different than LEGOs, simply choose your modules and connect them together in seconds to bring a plethora of capabilities to your wrist.

As with any watch, the face (or Core) is at the heart of the wearable. It’s completely functional on its own and has all the features you would expect from a good smartwatch, like phone notifications, activity monitoring and voice control, and boasts a round, full-color touchscreen. Inside you’ll find a Snapdragon 400 processor, Wi-Fi and BLE connectivity, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of Flash, an accelerometer and gyroscope, a 400mAh battery, a microphone and a vibration motor. In the future, the team says it will offer a few different cores with varying displays, such as e-ink and rectangular screens.

The Core is attached to a strap comprised of several intelligent links, each of which possess their own functions and are embedded with an ARM Cortex-M0+ MCU. This includes everything from an NFC component for contactless payments, to an extra battery for prolonged battery life, to a GPS piece for tracking your whereabouts and activities, to a Flash memory module for extra storage, to a camera for quick photos, to even GSM/SIM card slot for phone-free operation. The power is in your hands, or wrist we should say, allowing you to choose the building blocks that you want in assembling a smartwatch that’s just as unique as you.

“The Modules listed are the first of many, and were selected based on popular choice. As new technology becomes available, we’ll be developing new Modules for you. You don’t need to choose the Modules you want immediately when you back us; after the campaign, we will get in touch to ask what combination of Modules you’d like,” its creators reveal. “BLOCKS is all about choice. We want to be able to provide you with as many Modules as possible so that you always have access to the latest technologies.”

What’s nice is that a module can be swapped out in a matter of seconds, without ever having to restart your watch. Whether it’s throwing on a battery if you notice that your smartwatch is running low on power or fastening on a heart rate monitor as you head off to the gym, snap it on and it’ll work right away.

The device runs on its own platform, which will be opened up to developers so that they can create and sell their own modules on what the team calls “the BLOCKStore.” Moreover, BLOCKS is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones, including those from LG, Motorola, Sony, Samsung, HTC and Xiaomi.

Intrigued? Then watch-a waiting for? For its Kickstarter debut, BLOCKS is available in 3 different colors — black, white and red — and made from a high-quality, durable, comfortable and water-resistant plastic. The first batch of units is expected to ship in May 2016.

CellRobot is the world’s first smart modular robot

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Assemble and control your own robot with the shapes you imagine and the functions you want.

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When it comes to the Maker Movement, modularity is king. Think littleBits. Think Microduino. Think Modulo. Think RePhone. But why stop at DIY devices? Sharing many of the same principles, Chinese startup KEYi Technology has introduced a customizable, reconfigurable robot that encourages users to devise their own creation, piece by piece.

As its name would suggest, CellRobot is comprised of various spherical “cells” that can be assembled together to make a wide variety of robots. Once connected, they can be manipulated into different shapes and programmed to perform an assortment of functions. Each building block ball has a 360-degree angle sensor, a servo motor and an MCU, and can attach to any other cell at any angle thanks to its convenient snap joint system.

At the core of every pieced-together project is the “heart,” which supplies power to all of the other modules and wirelessly syncs the robot to its accompanying app. It features a charge port, a tiny speaker, a power indicator, a small screen and standard snap-twist connectors. Additionally, the heart houses a Bluetooth 4.0 module for communicating with your phone or tablet, as well as Wi-Fi and ZigBee for linking to other cells.

CellRobot also offers what the team calls “X-cells,” add-on modules that expand the functionality of the cells with wheels, connectors, spotlights and even a camera. All of the cells and supplemental parts are controlled through a companion iOS and Android app, which comes with two different modes — one that guides you through the building process and another that lets you create any shape or command — as well as a library with preexisting shapes for you to choose from. Despite whichever mode you’re using, the program recognizes the state and shape of your robot and visualizes it in 3D on your mobile device.

The question is: why only have one robot when you can have 100? Head over to CellRobot’s Kickstarter campaign, where KEYi Technology is currently seeking $75,000.

moodLight is a smart box that displays real-time emotion

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moodLight is a Wi-Fi-connected desk lamp that illustrates the mood of the online world with beautiful twists of color.

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It’s safe to say that social media has not only revolutionized the journalistic landscape, but the way in which we gather news, events, gossip and other share-worthy content. However, wouldn’t it be cool if you could actually see how the world responded to such information? That is exactly what Connor Nishijima set out to accomplish with moodLight — a three-inch tall, USB-powered smart lamp that beautifully shines a spectrum of colors based on the emotion of Twitter users.

To bring this to reality, the Maker collates a sampling of experimental social data from all over the globe and displays that deep connection in the form of nine LEDs. The gadget works by sifting through millions of tweets each day and checking them for several dozen keywords tied to one of six emotions: love, joy, surprise, anger, sadness and fear. These emotions are graphed in real-time, placed on a server, downloaded by the moodLight and then translated into colors that are shown in the form of RGB LEDs inside a laser-cut box.

“For example, ‘I am so proud of my son for getting his degree! I’m going to miss him at home,’” Nishijima explains. “This tweet contains the word ‘proud’ (Joy > Pride > ‘proud’) and the phrase ‘miss him’ (Sadness > Loss > ‘miss him/her/you/them’) making it a bittersweet tweet of both joy and sadness. These emotions would result in a twist of goldenrod and cyan in your lamp.”

The system keeps a weighted moving average of each emotion’s tweet count per minute and uses this to build a sort of baseline average for each feeling. From there, it compares the most recent minute’s data to the average to deliver a percentage value.

In terms of hardware, moodLight is equipped with an ATmega328P at its core along with WS2812B LEDs and an ESP8266 Wi-Fi module that the lamp uses to make GET requests to the moodLighting website every second. While the VPS backend running the service consumes many gigabytes of data per day, it shrinks this content down into 25-byte summaries that the lamp consumes in one-second intervals. Impressively, this amounts to only 2.16MB of data consumed daily — which ends up being smaller than the size of an MP3.

The tabletop lamp can also be integrated with IFTTT, thereby opening up endless possibilities from serving as a basic notification portal to turning on a WeMo bulb or dialing your Nest thermostat to different temperatures based on a particular social media status update. For instance, you can define various combinations of colors for various alerts: flash red twice for an incoming email, blink brown and fade to blue for a UPS package delivery, or emit green if a Fitbit goal is achieved.

What’s more, each moodLight is controllable over UDP packets, making it easy to set your own color combinations. By sending packets very similar to the mood summaries above, you can change the hue of one or more of the nine pixels, set a global brightness level, put the lamp to sleep or wake it up, or stream color data at 30+ FPS, to name just a few. As its creators note, this essentially gives you the functionality of a Philips Hue or LiFX smart bulb.

Looking for new way to stay connected with news? Head over to the moodLight’s Kickstarter campaign, where Nishijima has blown past his $935 goal. Delivery is slated for early next year.