27 smart crowdfunding campaigns you may want to back this week

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Every Friday, we take 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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LattePanda

This $79 Windows 10 mini computer features an Intel Atom Cherry Trail processor and an Arduino-compatible MCU. LattePanda is currently seeking $150,858 on Kickstarter.

Fleye

This spherical drone is not only safe, fun and autonomous, it’s fully open and programmable. Fleye is currently seeking $185,837 on Kickstarter.

Wio Link

This open source, ESP8266-based dev board lets you build IoT projects through plug-n-play Grove modules. Seeed Studio has already doubled its $20,000 goal on Kickstarter.

ShiftWear

This pair of sneakers can display custom designs on its e-paper exterior, right from your smartphone. ShiftWear has well surpassed its $25,000 goal on Indiegogo.

playDXTR

This collection of building blocks adds a layer of technology to make the old-school way of learning much cooler, and smarter. DXTR Labs is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

SmartEgg

This egg pairs to your smartphone and allows you to control any infrared device via Bluetooth. AICO Tech is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Skriware

This one-click machine wants to make 3D printers as ubiquitous in our homes as more conventional 2D printers. Skriware is currently seeking $50,461 on Kickstarter.

Wuvo Spot

This unit simply sticks to your keys, wallet, glasses, luggage, headphones or whatever else you don’t want to lose, and takes care of the rest for you. Wuvo is currently seeking $15,000 on Indiegogo.

EverLights

This set of sleek, permanent and weather-resistant holiday lights are installed only once and managed straight from your phone. EverLights has more than tripled its goal of $20,000 on Kickstarter.

Brick Sound Kit

This entirely programmable toy adds motion-activated sound effects to your LEGO and Mega Bloks projects. Eight-year-old Chase and his father Chuck Freedman are currently seeking $18,000 on Kickstarter.

RaceCapture

This plug-in gadget enables you to track autocross, drift and drag racing with your friends in real-time. Autosport Labs is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Mokakam

This super small 4K camera features a rotating screen and magnetic snap-on battery. Raymond Wang has already well surpassed his goal of $50,000 on Indiegogo.

Pound Nine Wire

This newswire sits on your desk and continually streams headlines from your pre-selected content sources. Pound Nine is currently seeking $40,000 on Kickstarter.

YoCam

This tiny, all-in-one, waterproof camera has set out to replace your GoPro, DropCam, baby monitor and dash cam. MOFILY is currently seeking $80,000 on Kickstarter.

AON

This industrial-grade 3D printer boasts a massive heated build area and independent tool heads. AON 3D is currently seeking $48,678 on Kickstarter.

The Rever

This inexpensive and easy-to-use 3D printer will bring the joy of creativity into any household. Qubea is halfway to its goal of $120,000 on Kickstarter.

Creator Ci40

This complete IoT kit includes all the hardware, software and cloud infrastructure necessary to quickly build a wireless system. Imagination Technologies just hit its $30,000 Kickstarter goal.

QTemp

This battery-free wearable weather station measures UV and temperature while displaying the safe sun time on your mobile device. Comfable Inc. is currently seeking $26,184 on Kickstarter.

nOb

This knob precisely controls a wide range of applications. NOB CONTROL is currently seeking $55,220 on Kickstarter.

BotBotix

This open source, 3D-printed, modular robotics platform is ideal for Makers looking to explore their imagination. Rocketship Systems is currently seeking $15,000 on Kickstarter.

DuoTrac

This portable, motion-tracking, sensor-laden device can analyze and help improve swing performance and footwork with its accompanying app. Coach Labs Inc. is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

Lola

This home automation solution lets you to command your connected objects through voice and 3D mapping. Vivoka is currently seeking $105,870 on Kickstarter.

Mantis Drone Claw

This beautifully-engineered, lightweight accessory allows your drone to automatically grab and lift small objects. Ben Kardoosh is currently seeking $7,514 on Kickstarter.

Mimoto Watch

This smartwatch is being touted as the “most reliable one for under $100.” Mimoto Tech is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

Versa Prima

This portable and wearable LED strip is controlled via Bluetooth. Lumafi is currently seeking $25,000 on Kickstarter.

Eyesynth

This audiovisual system for the visually-impaired enables wearers to indentify shapes and spaces in unprecedented ways. Eyesynth is currently seeking $106,193 on Kickstarter.

Multi-Function SSD Shield

This shield for the Raspberry Pi 2 combines SSD, Wi-Fi, a real-time clock with battery and high-power USB. Pi 2 Design is closing in on its $15,000 Kickstarter goal.

ShiftWear lets you customize your sneakers from your phone

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ShiftWear is putting app-controlled e-paper displays on your shoes.

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It seems like everything these days is becoming smarter, and that doesn’t exclude our shoes. While the idea of customized sneakers is a far cry from new, one New York-based startup has decided to take another step into the future. How, you ask? By creating footwear that can display personalized, moving images on its sides. (And you thought your LA Lights were cool!)

If you think about it, shopping for shoes is quite the wallet-draining hobby. But what if instead of filling your closet with countless pairs of kicks, you only need one that could change its appearance at the press of a button? This may soon be a reality thanks to ShiftWear.

ShiftWear enables you to control the design of your sneaks from your smartphone, adjusting them as you go from work to the gym to a night out on the town. From simple black and white patterns to complex graphics and animations, you can create the shoe of your liking right in the palm of your hand using its accompanying mobile app.

“The app you use to program new designs on your shoes is the same app that will connect you to a marketplace with the freshest designs from artists all over the world,” the ShiftWear team writes. “Buy their designs right from the app, and they’ll show up on your shoes in seconds.”

Their first model, the Classic, may look like just any other sneaker but that’s where you’re mistaken. Available in low, mid and high top form, each pair is actually wrapped with a flexible, high-definition e-paper display that allows you to show off your individual style and match whatever outfit or occasion. ShiftWear syncs with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, so you can swap out designs at any time.

Since the idea here is to save you closet space and money, ShiftWear is built for frequent use. Its soles are coated with Kevlar fiber to withstand the typical wear and tear of traditional footwear, and since they’re waterproof (up to 16 feet), they can be washed whenever necessary.

The stylish accessory can also be charged in one of two ways: either with every step you take or wirelessly when you’re not moving. If you choose a static image, which will probably get boring after awhile, you won’t even have to refuel it at all since it won’t be consuming power. What’s more, ShiftWear syncs with your phone or tablet via Bluetooth, so you can swap out designs at any time.

So, are you ready to slip your feet into a pair of ShiftWear? Then head over to its Indiegogo campaign, where David Coelho and his collaborators are currently seeking $25,000. Although there’s no estimated delivery or guarantee that the team will pull this off, the futuristic concept of ever-changing kicks may be just as sweet as Marty McFly’s self-tying laces.