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. 

This palm-sized drone streams live footage right to your smartphone

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Micro Drone 3.0 can livestream video for your Meerkat followers.

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Like many types of electronics, quadcopters these days are becoming increasingly smaller and smaller. And rightfully so, as pint-sized drones are super portable and generally come at a much cheaper price tag for novices looking to start out. Developed by UK-based Extreme Fliers, Micro Drone 3.0 is a mini UAV capable of capturing and streaming HD footage right to a smartphone.

Extreme Fliers is no stranger to the drone industry, as their recent Indiegogo campaign is the third iteration of the flying gadget. While its earlier take on the device was able to snap images in 640p, their latest on-board camera promises video resolution of 1280 x 720 at 30fps, and is stabilized by what is said to be the world’s smallest gimbal. This tiny robotic arm, though optional, retracts for takeoff and landing. What’s more, the company has developed special algorithms aimed at allowing the 1.96” x 5.7”, 2.5 oz. drone to take on rough winds of up to 45mph.

Based on an ARM Cortex processor, the Micro Drone 3.0 is equipped with a six-axis gyroscope, an accelerometer, an electronic compass, contra-rotational motors and Wi-Fi compatibility. It can be controlled with a radio controller or an iOS or Android device by way of its accompanying app, and uses a combination of motion sensor enabling it to hover and fly in straight lines. In addition to that, the UAV boasts first-person view flying capabilities and is designed to work with Google Cardboard VR. This means, users can slap on a headset to better immerse themselves in the flight experience.

Fight time is currently eight minutes, while the apparatus also packs a rechargeable lithium battery through USB and an on-board micro SD card stores the footage. Beyond simply maneuvering the UAV with its smartphone app, Micro Drone 3.0 has several integrated social plug-ins, most notably Meerkat livestreaming.

Another nice feature is that the Extreme Fliers crew has included expandability in the drone’s design. In other words, users can easily transform their hummingbirdish ‘copter into a much larger, more powerful drone. According to its creators, the firmware is programmed with three different settings to allow for simple adjustments between sizes.

And with the Maker crowd in mind, Micro Drone offers enhanced customization through 3D-printed frames. Backers will receive a selection of ready-to-print CAD files, ranging from wasps to drags, and more accessories are expected to be unveiled in the near future.

Intrigued? Soar on over to its official Indiegogo page, where the Extreme Fliers team has already well surpassed its initial $75,000 goal. Delivery is expected to get going in November 2015.