17 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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Bruno

This smart trash can not only reminds you to take out the garbage, but also vacuums up whatever crumbs you sweep its way. Its creators Jim Howard and Lori Montag are currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Nexpaq

This case allows you to easily customize, enhance and add new features to your smartphone by swapping out LEGO-like modules. Nexpaq is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

KADE miniConsole+

This device lets you connect retro gamepads and controllers to a wide variety of computers and consoles using plug-and-play detection. The Maker trio of Jon Wilson, Kevin Mackett, Bruno Freitas is currently seeking £2,345 on Kickstarter.

Neutrino

This open-source, 32-bit board crams the functionality of the Arduino Zero into a smaller package. Rabid Prototypes is currently seeking $5,000 on Kickstarter.

SmartRim

This wireless sensor system automatically hopes to end rim-scraping by detecting objects on the side of your vehicle as the wheels near the curb. SmartRim is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

MoonRay

This desktop machine is capable of 3D printing high-quality objects with resolutions as low as 100 microns on the X/Y axis. SprintRay is currently seeking $100,000 on Kickstarter.

Connected Cycle Pedal

This smart pedal can prevent theft and automatically record all of your rides and statistics, without using your phone battery. The Connected Cycle team is currently seeking $50,000 on Indiegogo.

IKAWA

This digital micro roaster will let you roast your own coffee with the touch of a button. IKAWA Coffee is currently seeking £80,000 on Kickstarter.

Dogtelligent

This connected tracker provides health monitoring and integrated training features such as ultrasonic whistles and virtual leash technology. Dogtelligent is currently seeking $25,000 on Indiegogo.

Soundscapes

These modular headphones allow you to design and build a personalized audio experience. Axel Audio is currently seeking $180,000 on Kickstarter.

Autonomous Desk

This AI-powered desk will help you to become more productive and healthier at work, by learning your daily patterns and transitioning from sitting to standing. Robotbase is currently seeking $50,000 on Kickstarter.

Pulse Play

This wearable device aspires to improve the playing experience of all racquet sports with real-time scorekeeping, match history recording, commentating and more. Pulse Play is currently seeking $75,000 on Indiegogo.

BUZWIZ.me

This connected gadget will add a new dimension to your favorite board games and common smartphone applications. BUZWIZ.me is currently seeking $100,000 on Indiegogo.

FlexPV

This open-source development kit makes it easy for anyone to create their own remote-control vehicle. FlexPV is currently seeking $20,000 on Kickstarter.

PhoneDrone

This drone turns your smartphone into an autonomous aerial camera, integrated flight planner and tethered controller. xCraft is currently seeking $250,000 on Kickstarter.

Eve

This in-ground irrigation system uses fully-integrated moisture sensor feedback to transform your everyday lawn into a smart yard. Plaid Systems is currently seeking $30,000 on Kickstarter.

Reach

This affordable and extremely precise RTK GPS receiver is ideal for navigating drones, surveying and tracking. Emlid is currently seeking $27,000 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. 

SmartRim adds an intelligent parking system to any car

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To ‘curb’ a common parking problem, this smart system can protect your vehicle’s sides and save your wheels.

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When parallel parking, there’s nothing worse than the sound of your wheel scraping against the curb as a result of misjudging the distance between your car and the sidewalk. Not only does it scuff up your tricked out rims, the damage to your Vossens or Asantis can be quite pricey as well. In an effort to help prevent this costly mistake from happening, one Waltham, Massachusetts-based startup has developed the world’s first parking assistance system that protects your vehicle.

The aptly-dubbed SmartRim wireless sensor system uses advanced technology to automatically detect unsighted obstacles along the side of car as the wheels near the curb. This is done through a sensor, which analyzes the time that it takes for ultrasonic waves to reflect off nearby objects. Using an embedded temperature sensor and calibration parameters, SmartRim can gauge the distance between the car and the sidewalk, and then send an alert to the driver using its accompanying iOS mobile app.

Inside each SmartRim is also a micro-electromechanical sensor tasked with constantly measuring acceleration and detecting vibrations, like when a driver opens the door or hits the pedal to the metal. The system even tracks objects to ensure that surrounding noise does not trigger false measurements. It periodically wakes up to send radio beacons and remains in deep sleep most of the time when the car is not in use, thus saving energy — thanks to an ultra-low ARM Cortex-M MCU.

Installation of the SmartRim seems to be pretty straightforward: Simply attach the module to the inside of a wheel well using the high bond adhesive (or self-tapping screws) and removable clip base-plate provided. Meanwhile, the device is powered by a single AA battery that is said to last for more than 1,000 parking cycles.

What’s more, SmartRim is compatible with any car or SUV and is not brand specific — works with everything from your Cadillac Escalade’s 28” dubs and your Honda Civic’s 15” alloys. Want to ‘curb’ your rim-scraping problem? Hurry over to its official Indiegogo campaign, where the team is currently seeking $50,000. Shipment is expected to begin in January 2016.