21 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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Sensel Morph

This pressure-sensitive, multi-touch input device enables you to interact with the digital world like never before. Sensel has already well surpassed its goal of $60,000 on Kickstarter.

O Watch

This Arduino-compatible smartwatch is designed to help kids get started with hands-on programming and 3D printing. Eight-year-old Maker Omkar Govil-Nair is currently seeking $15,000 on Kickstarter.

3Dsimo Mini

This all-in-one pen can 3D print, solder, burn and cut. 3Dsimo is currently seeking $35,000 on Kickstarter.

FABtotum PRISM

This add-on module is bringing SLA 3D printing to the FABtotum personal fabricator. The Italian startup is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

SmartHalo

This compact device attaches to the handlebar of your bike and provides you with easy-to-read GPS, distance, speed and other performance data. CycleLabs has already well surpassed its $50,649 goal on Kickstarter.

Sensly

This portable sensor can detect pollution levels and feed that data directly to your smartphone for real-time updates. Altitude Tech is currently seeking $15,699 on Kickstarter.

Westinghouse Nucli Smart Lock

This smart lock is redefining home security by enabling owners to see who is at their door and interact with them from wherever they are. Westinghouse Security is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

The Beast

This 3D printer is so large that it can create four identical objects during a single print in completely different colors and materials. Cultivate3D  is currently seeking $7,129 on Kickstarter.

RageBridge 2

This no-frills, robust dual-channel DC motor controller is ideal for robotic and vehicular drivetrain applications. Equals Zero Designs is currently seeking $5,000 on Indiegogo.

TESPA

This Arduino-compatible, Wi-Fi development platform lets you create IoT projects in just minutes. Sharnon Tulabadi is currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

MYNT

This super thin Bluetooth tracking tag also functions as a remote control. Slightech is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

MetaWear C

This highly-integrated Bluetooth sensor module can power solutions the size of a button and runs on a coin-cell battery. MbientLab is currently seeking $4,000 on Kickstarter.

REMOVU S1

This rainproof, three-axis gimbal for GoPro cameras is equipped with a Bluetooth remote control. REMOVU has already well surpassed its goal of $20,000 on Indiegogo.

DreamMe

This unique gadget allows you to see the time and other information projected from your smartphone on the bedroom ceiling. Yvonne Joh is currently seeking $7,971 on Kickstarter.

Butterfleye

This wireless camera connects to your smartphone and keeps you in touch with your home while you’re out and about. Butterfleye has already well surpassed its goal of $100,000 on Indiegogo.

JuiceJuice Sparks

These addressable, sound-responsive and smartphone-controlled lights enable you to turn any occasion into a dance party. Leeward Bound is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

LumiPocket LT

This personal fabricator isn’t just a 3D printer, but a laser engraver and a PCB etcher as well. Lumi Industries is currently seeking $44,411 on Kickstarter.

GlowTie

This programmable LED bow-tie is powered by an ATmega32U4. Nagle Industries is currently seeking $88,000 on Kickstarter.

Bikiros

This smart bike accessory ensures that your children are safe while learning proper riding skills. Bikiros is currently seeking $45,000 on Indiegogo.

VGADuino

This small graphic card shield for Arduino boards can be connected to any kind of TV or monitor with RGB or AV ports. Masih Vahida is currently seeking $1,000 on Kickstarter.

Pulsar

This wearable board lets you wirelessly control bright, colorful LEDs from any PC or smartphone. Acrobotic Industries 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. 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. 

SmartHalo will make any bike smart

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SmartHalo is a smart biking system that lets you focus on what matters the most — the road. 

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Like a number of other companies who have created hardware solutions to bring older vehicles into the IoT era, one Montreal-based startup is hoping to do the same for bicycles. Those who’d rather not dig deep into their pockets to purchase a new electronic bike can now make their existing one “smart” for roughly $100.

The brainchild of CycleLabs, SmartHalo is a compact device that attaches to the handlebar of your old bike and provides you with easy-to-read GPS, distance, speed and other performance data. Aside from that, the intuitive navigation system will highlight the quickest route to work in the morning and safest way home at night along with a front headlight for enhanced visibility when it gets dark.

“We believe that technology should not be something you have to worry about – it should just work. We’re urban cyclists who wanted to deal with the main problems of biking in cities: navigation and security. We found that the existing solutions right now were just not suited for harsh urban environments,” its creators share.

Among its most notable features is its turn-by-turn navigation system. Simply input your desired location into its accompanying mobile app, tuck your smartphone away and SmartHalo will take care of the rest by guiding you with simple-to-follow directions via an intuitive light between your hands.

As if that wasn’t enough, SmartHalo will automatically monitor your activities. Unlike other trackers on the market today, you’ll never have to hit ’start’ or ’stop.’ Instead, the device will track your progress as soon as you begin pedaling, then display the detailed metrics in the app for later review. It even lets you set goals using any of its parameters, like calories burned, and then view your progress in real-time on your handlebars as you pedal.

Have you ever missed an important call or email because street noise and road vibration made them hard to notice? Well, you’ll be happy to learn that SmartHalo can also serve as your personal assistant while on-the-go. The mounted unit will notify you of any incoming calls and messages, and alert you should there be an impending storm allowing you to take cover.

As any urban cyclist will tell you, theft is an all too common occurrence. Fortunately, when you’re not around, SmartHalo will keep your two-wheeler safe from any burglars by triggering an alarm if its internal motion sensor detects movement. Moreover, the gadget can only be unlocked with a special “key” provided with the product and will seamlessly deactivate as you approach the bike.

“We designed SmartHalo to be beautiful inside and out. There is no on/off button – its sophisticated sensors detect your presence. When you finish your ride, it automatically shuts down. This leads to amazing battery life, to keep going as long as you do,” the CycleLabs team explains.

With standard use, its battery can last for approximately three weeks before having to be recharged via USB. In terms of hardware, SmartHalo is equipped with a Bluetooth Low Energy module for communication, low energy LEDs, an accelerometer, magnetometer and gyroscope, as well as a crypto authentication chip for enhanced security.

Ready to make your bike smarter? Then race over to SmartHalo’s Kickstarter campaign, where the CycleLabs crew is currently seeking $50,000. The first batch of shipments is expected to get underway in May 2016.