28 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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Gest

This wearable allows you to control your computer or smartphone with your hands. Apotact Labs is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

BeeLine

This handlebar-mounted, stripped-down navigation system will guide you in the right direction on your bike. BeeLine is currently seeking $92,118 on Kickstarter.

Pico

This fully-automatic appliance enables anyone to brew their own mini kegs of craft beer right from home. PicoBrew has already nearly tripled its $200,000 goal on Kickstarter.

STEMI

This DIY kit lets Makers build their own hexapod robot while learning STEM at the same time. STEMI has reached its $16,000 goal on Indiegogo.

Lumenus

This lineup of smart clothing integrates an automated hands-free lighting system to enhance road safety for bikers, motorcyclists and runners. Lumenus is currently seeking $54,000 on Kickstarter.

SpeedForce

This fully-integrated smart cycling computer lets you get the most out of every ride. SpeedForce has already well surpassed its goal of $20,000 on Indiegogo.

Wink

This Arduino-based robot is designed to transition students from graphical programming to more powerful written code languages. Plum Geek has blown right by its $6,000 goal on Kickstarter.

Hoku

This comfort monitor is comprised of sensors that measure temperature and humidity levels as they’re felt in your child’s clothing. Hime Hiko is currently seeking $45,571 on Kickstarter.

Slate Scale

This Bluetooth-equipped scale connects to your smartphone and serves as your personal dietician. Slate Scale is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

AuraVisor

This VR head-mounted computer works without your computer or smartphone, allowing you to break free of wires and cables. James Talbot is currently seeking $153,134 on Kickstarter.

NanoLeaf Smarter Kit

This lighting kit uses the ZigBee protocol to communicate with up to 50 smart bulbs within a 164-foot range, through voice commands given to Siri. NanoLeaf is currently seeking $40,000 on Indiegogo.

IdeaWerk Speed

This sleek 3D printer boasts a 450mm/second printing speed, which makes it at least five times faster than similar machines. Weistek is currently seeking $22,124 on Kickstarter.

Ockel Sirius B

This pocket-sized Windows 10 PC is as powerful as a desktop and as portable and light as a smartphone. Ockel has already achieved its Indiegogo goal of $10,000.

Flosstime

This first-of-its-kind smart floss dispenser will help you maintain better oral hygiene habits. Flosstime has hit its goal of $15,000 on Kickstarter.

AirBolt

This Bluetooth lock talks to your smartphone and unlocks with a single push of a button. AirBolt is currently seeking $36,168 on Kickstarter.

LucidCam

This portable, consumer-friendly VR camera helps you create content of your real world experiences to share with everyone. LucidCam is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

HAIZE

This simple, add-on compass points urban cyclists in the right direction using a minimalist LED display. onomo is currently seeking $76,645 on Kickstarter.

AXIS Gear

This smart device motorizes your window shades in minutes for enhanced comfort, convenience and safety at home. AXIS is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

Lucis

This portable, wireless lamp can change color and brightness with just a touch of your hand. Lucis is currently seeking $15,000 on Indiegogo.

Mstick

This multi-functional LED stick can be controlled via its accompanying mobile app to open endless possibilities. Molt America is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Andiamo iQ

This intelligent suitcase boasts a USB charger, a personal Wi-Fi hotspot, a built-in scale, and can send you alerts about your luggage and travel plans. Andiamo iQ is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Write2Go

This gadget turns your handwriting into digital memos, instant messages and e-signatures immediately. PenPower USA has already surpassed its goal of $1,000 on Kickstarter.

The RESPOT

This coin-sized device prevents you from losing everyday items and your most prized possessions. The RESPOT is currently seeking $35,000 on Indiegogo.

DC One

This unit is an interlocking, programmable, single-channel DC power supply that can be powered by either a battery or an AC/DC adapter. KAM Lab is currently seeking $36,200 on Kickstarter.

Skateboard GPS Speedometer

This mounted footstep features a built-in GPS speedometer, crafted to withstand the punishing spills of downhill skating. Benjamin Newman is currently seeking $34,561 on Kickstarter.

Ripple

This solar strap for the Pebble Time promises to eliminate charging forever, with one hour of sunlight equating 13 hours of battery time. GIXIA Group is currently seeking $80,000 on Kickstarter.

Dynamo Harvester

This energy harvesting hub will charge your smartphone via USB as you bike. Thomas Treyer is currently seeking $55,167 on Kickstarter.

Hackey

This Wi-Fi key switch gives you a simple and easy way to control Internet-related services just by turning the key. Cerevo is currently seeking $15,000 on Indiegogo.

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

Pico is like the Keurig for homebrewing beer

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Pico is a fully-automatic appliance that lets anyone brew their own mini kegs of craft beer, on demand.

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Consuming an ice-cold brewski isn’t that difficult. Brewing it on your own, well that’s a different story. Fortunately, one Seattle-based startup is looking to do the same for beer as the Keurig has done for coffee. PicoBrew’s 3D printer-like appliance can be used by just about anyone to craft their own malted beverage inside their own home.

If the name sounds familiar, it’s probably because you recall the team’s initial product, the Zymatic, which debuted earlier this year. The ATmega1284P powered device enabled ale aficionados to make their own stouts, porters and IPAs right from their kitchen. PicoBrew had raised more than $660,000 on Kickstarter and has since shipped more than a thousand machines. Now, its creators have returned with a smaller, faster and more user-friendly version of the Zymatic, which also happens to be half the price.

Whereas the Zymatic was originally geared towards experienced brewers, the Pico has been designed with the hobbyist in mind. The latest gadget employs much of the same technology as its older and bigger sibling, but with reduced complexity and cost. Ideal for any countertop, the Pico itself measures only 12 inches wide and is capable of producing five liters of fresh beer after a single brewing session. That size is more along the lines of a coffee-maker than a microwave.

One notable feature of the Pico is the its new PicoPak system, which includes conveniently pre-packaged ingredient combinations (ranging from award-winning porters to Munich malts) from craft breweries throughout the world. These may be purchased and customized to taste. All the user has to do is fill a keg with water, load the hop and grain modules with the pre-packaged goods, and hit “brew.” Once it’s done, the beer is fermented by adding yeast from the PicoPak, and then transferred over to a mini keg where it stays for five to seven days to carbonate.

What’s more, PicoBrew recently launched a PicoBrew BrewMarketplace, which allows any brewer to publish their beer ingredient combination and earn royalties on every sale. Meanwhile, customers can find great craft beer by exploring ratings and recommendations and even communicating directly with the brewer.

Earlier this year, the company also introduced its second product, KegSmarts — a Wi-Fi unit that attaches to a standard kegerator and provides information, like temperature and quantity, on an OLED display — all of which can be monitored and controlled from a mobile device.

Ready to brew your own personalized craft beer? Head over to Pico’s Kickstarter campaign, where the PicoBrew crew is currently seeking $200,000. Delivery is slated for April 2016.