The war on sitting is in full effect, as research has shown that standing throughout the day is better for disease prevention and workplace productivity. Of course, being able to transition from standing to sitting at a desk is rarely both simple and cost-efffective, only recently being realized with products like the Stir Kinetic Desk. The StandDesk is looking to change that with its simple automatic adjustments and ergonomic design. The StandDesk boasts a strength of 225 lbs. at any height, and convenient allowances for both device cables and surge protectors. The StandDesk can be a part of any home or office in September 2014, and the standard kit starts at $399.
Month: April 2014
The Premise. The downside to upgrading a home’s lighting system to something more advanced than a simple on/off switch is learning how to make use of the new control panel that comes with it. Adding functionality without overcomplicating things is a constant struggle for any design.
The Product. While it may look like a children’s toy from the future, the m!Qbe is really a lighting control system designed to make the most of modern lighting and its features. By programming different settings into the faces of the cube, changing light distribution, color, and brightness is as simple as setting a different side of the m!Qbe face up. Certain faces are also motion-enabled, allowing users to twist the cube to adjust colors or dim lights, and indecisive owners can even shake the cube to randomly generate a lighting option. The m!Qbe is open-source, allowing designers to develop applications for the device beyond lighting.
The Pitch. Positioned in the video as a solution that even the designers’ grandma can use, the m!Qbe product demonstration is equal parts simple and confusing at first. Once it becomes clear that users design their own preferences to the different symbols on the faces of the cube, making use of the device proves to be that much easier. The flexibility of the luminaires is on display with the variety of options shown in the video that can be changed on the fly with a simple roll of the m!Qbe. m!Qbe designers Blue Asterisk UG want €120,000 to finish streamlining the device and moving into the testing and production phases.
The Perks. An m!Qbe control is available for pledges of €125, available in October 2014. Add-ons are plentiful, with wi-fi for an extra €15, an extra charger for €25, and an extra base for the luminaires for €95. The complete set can be shipped out for those that contribute €235, with higher tiers including more components.
The Potential. The m!Qbe is very modern in its design, turning a complicated light panel into a simple handheld cube. While it’s open-platform design makes it flexible to tackle any kind of appliance or home ambience system, a simple app could do the same thing. The m!Qbe is a home novelty at best, something that could be replaced by a more intuitive system.
The home sprinkler system is such a herculean labor to set up that usually once it’s in place, most people don’t bother adjusting it ever again. This can lead to wasted water where it isn’t needed and an increase in utility bills. The RainCommander is a wireless irrigation control system that can be used to schedule and control waterings more effectively. From any mobile device or tablet, sprinklers can be paused, turned on, and run en masse or just targeting a specific area of the lawn. The RainCommander will be available in May 2014 and will require a minimum pledge of $159 to get the base system.
The Premise. Artists, designers, architects and other creative types use a variety of tools for their drawings. Their lines must be precise and they need accessories to ensure the integrity of their work. When on the go, it is necessary for them to carry around these tools in order to work, but it gets burdensome to be bogged down by so many objects.
The Product. The Imbue Creative Tool is an all-in-one device that combines several different tools in one compact product. Imbue looks like a simple ruler but has markings and holes in it that make it extremely versatile. It has a straight edge for drawing straight lines, markings to draw perpendicular lines like a T-square, a rounded edge, quarter inch markings for measuring, degree markings to draw triangles and several holes to draw circles like a compass. This small tool is made out of aluminum or steel and comes in three different colors. It is designed to be attached to Moleskine notebooks.
The Pitch. The campaign video for Imbue shows someone in a café using the different features of this product to make a drawing. The creators talk about the convenience and finesse of their product and what motivated them to create it. The rest of the campaign goes over the reward tiers, how to attach it to your notebook as well as individual videos demonstrating each of this tool’s features. Imbue hopes to raise a low $8,500 in a 30-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. Early birds can enjoy the Imbue aluminum version for $20 and steel version for $25. The aluminum goes for a regular price of $25 and the steel for $30. Higher tiers offer packages which include Moleskin notebooks. All reward tiers have an estimated delivery date of December 2014. The creators have no clear stretch goals set, but express an interest in producing more colors if they exceed their goal.
The Potential. The Imbue Creative Tool is, like any great product, an incredibly simple idea that is smart and convenient. The creative minds who would use this product do seem to work a lot outside of their offices or studio spaces. There are several other products out there that aim to make drawing and drafting convenient like the 295 Parallel Rolling Ruler, but fail to be flat and small enough to carry around in a small notebook. Imbue takes the best of geometric tools and convenience making it a must-have for creative types and professional illustrato
Most people have no trouble drinking shots or mixed drinks, but in case you’ve ever run into trouble, try Kickstick. This versatile product is a mini liquor or energy drink holder. By removing the bottom, the drinker can shoot whatever is in the tube or easily mix the liquid into another drink. The top functions as a straw and makes it easy to drink on the go. Kickstick is perfect for frat bros or college students who need to get liquor into their bodies even faster than normal. The fun but brazen campaign doesn’t say this, so we will… drink responsibly. One of these receptacles costs backers $25 with a delivery date of July 2014. Kickstick needs to raise $10,000 in its 30-day campaign.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world with over 13 million cases each year. People know how to engage in heart-smart diets and behaviors, but sometimes that isn’t enough to protect oneself from a cardiac episode. The LifeKeeper is more than just a heart rate monitor, sending vitals to a user’s smartphone and assessing the data to determine if there are any health risks at that present time. LifeKeeper collects data through questions, activity tracking, sleep analysis, and creates a profile which can be viewed or that will trigger an alert in a potentially health-hazardous scenario. A LifeKeeper can be had with a pledge of $199, complete with sensors and the app, arriving in December 2014.
The Premise. Having pets is wonderful, but it’s necessary to find someone to care for them when you’re out of town. It’s tough to travel or even go out for the day when you have to worry about feeding your dog or cat.
The Product. PetPal is a pet feeding system that holds up to 15 pounds of food. Using Wi-Fi and an app, pet owners can dispense food into the bowl without actually being in the house. A button on the top dispenses food too so the bowl can also be used when you’re home. The PetPal has a camera and motion detectors so that you can see and take photos or videos of when your pet eats. A microphone and speaker lets you hear your pet and talk to it as well.
The Pitch. Ken Powers, the creator, talks about his love of animals and pets in the video. He wanted to make a product that would not only feed his pets, but that would also allow him to see and talk to them when he’s away. In the rest of the campaign he discusses how he wanted to build his product like his durable toaster that has lasted him for 40 years. PetPal hopes to raise $150,000 in its 45-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. PetPal’s reward tiers offer three early bird specials at $350, $360 and $360. The system goes for regular price of $395. All tiers have estimated delivery dates of August 2014.
The Potential. There have been a lot of pet care products looking for crowdfunding recently. PETLY is an automatic pet feeder that works off of a schedule to deliver food at regular times. Pintofeed also has Wi-Fi capabilities so that you can feed your animal from a smartphone, computer or tablet. Most similar to the PetPal, the iCPooch lets dog owners video chat/bark with their pets and even deliver them a treat it they’d like. PetPal is by far the most sophisticated of these. It delivers food either manually or automatically and the microphone and camera are a great way to keep an eye on things at home. The price, however, is quite steep compared to similar products being developed. Other than the expense, PetPal looks like a perfect way to feed and keep an eye on pets when out of town.
The Premise. We’ve all been there. Our phones die and we have no access to an outlet. When in public, there’s always the option of trolling for one in a Starbucks, but for those out camping or hiking, there’s little hope.
The Product. Trinity is a portable wind turbine power system. to charge your portable devices. The mini turbine uses a 15W generator that powers an integrated battery, which can also be charged via microUSB on those days without much wind . It has three legs that fold out either into a tripod shape or flat on the ground. Trinity is white and the body is 12” long with 11” legs.
The Pitch. Trinity’s campaign video is bare and simple, going over how the product works. Admittedly, it looks like it was filmed in tent in the middle of the desert. The rest of the campaign goes into the tech specs of this mini turbine for those interested in how it works. Trinity hopes to raise $50,000 in a 50-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. Don’t expect thsi advanced techology to compete with simple pocket power packs. Trinity offers two early-bird specials for backers needing to charge up. The first is $249 and the second is $279. For a regular price, the Trinity costs $299. Higher tiers offer a chance to pick a color other than white. Each tier has an estimated delivery date of January 2015.
The Potential. Trinity joins the sustainability market with several other products aimed at utilizing renewable energy in small ways. The H2Only Battery powers lights with only water. More similar to the Trinity, the WindPax is a portable wind turbine that can be used to run lights or charge low energy devices. Each of these products represents a very cool new way to think about renewable energy. These products, especially the Trinity, introduce this idea on a much smaller scale and show how our everyday lives can be simplified with clean energy. The Trinity, while expensive, is a neat product that will only be elaborated upon with time. It certainly won’t stop with a USB port, but could mean powering larger things with time.
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Upper Wheel Fairings streamline your bike
The Premise. Cycling is a fun sport and a great way to get around for millions. It doesn’t feel so fun when battling against headwinds, however, which can slow you down and make it hard to get anywhere.
The Product. Upper Wheel Fairings by Null Winds Technology is a bicycle accessory designed to make headwinds easier to bear. This product fits onto the tops of the wheels of a road bike. It is designed to make the bike faster and more aerodynamic. The Fairings are made out of white or black aluminum and have the creator’s logo embossed on it
The Pitch. The campaign video consists of a long explanation of how wind works and in which ways the product battles wind resistance. The poor sound quality and monotone voice of the creator make it a little hard to watch, unfortunately. Details about production, testimonials of Upper Wheel Fairings users, how to mount the product, and more physics lessons permeate the rest of the campaign. Null Winds hopes to raise a high $120,000 in its 60-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. Different reward tiers offer either a front wheel only package or a full set of the product in either white or black, black being more expensive. For a full set of white Upper Wheel Fairings, early backers need to donate $229 , $249, or $259 with a regular price of $269. For black, early tiers go for $269 or $279 with a regular price of $289. The regular prices are set to rise once lower tiers are filled up. Estimated delivery dates bounce all over the place seemingly randomly ranging from June to October 2014.
The Potential. Bicycle enthusiasts love anything they can get their hands on that will make them go faster. Those with road bikes especially crave speed. The Upper Wheel Fairings state in the campaign that the product, unfortunately, cannot be used in any type of race settings, but is perfect for recreational or commuting riders. Other products aimed at battling headwinds really focus on the helmet and attire of the rider along with special wheels. There doesn’t seem to be anything else out there quite like the Upper Wheel Fairings product. Null Winds Technology, however, will need to clean up their campaign in order to have success in raising funds for this product.
As winter finally releases the country from its icy grip, the season of beach weather is fast approaching. While a day in the sun, sand, and surf is always relaxing, keeping an eye on wallets, phones, and other property is a constant stress. The Beach Vault is a simple capsule that is easy to bury in the sand and cover up with a towel to keep personal belongings safe and out of sight. With a rubber O-ring, the Beach Vault is waterproof in case of rising tides, and the drill design makes it just as easy to remove. The Beach Vault, inflatable cushion, and special beach towel designed for easy access can all be had for $30, arriving just in time in June.