For anyone with a busy lifestyle, multipurpose items are the way to go. However, most office workers carry two bags to work, one for laptops and files and the other for gym accessories for an after work gym visit. The Aer duffel bag makes it possible to carry everything in one neat package. This bag features a ventilated shoe pocket for sneakers, a secure case for carry around a laptop and a quick-access section for pens, phones, and other smaller items. While the creators have done a nice job of combining a backpack and duffel bag, the Aer still seems a little bulky to carry around. One Aer will cost backers $129 on Kickstarter. Aer has a campaign goal of $45,000.
Author: Julia Herrick
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A low maintenance ride is the #1 Priority
The Premise. The design of modern bicycles has changed little over the years. Since its conception, the typical bike operates just as it did many years ago, but only with better materials. Simple problems that this design comes with have been tolerated because there are so few better options out there.
The Product. Priority is a completely redesigned, updated bicycle. Its creators have made a number of changes to the typical bicycle design all in the hopes of making cycling easier and more convenient for everyone. They started out with a completely aluminum frame for ease of portability without the hassle of rust. Priority’s seats and handlebars were made so that the rider maintains a straight back and good posture. This bike has 3 speeds which exist in its internal hub. For breaking, the rider simply needs to back pedal, which cuts down on the amount of maintenance the bike will need over time. In addition, Priority’s creators have decided to use a belt instead of a chain around the bike’s gears. Chains need lubricant, can rust and usually end up ripping clothes while a belt is smoother and will result in a quieter ride. Finally, the tires are puncture resistant and the use of bolts instead of quick-releases means that the bike is theft deterrent.
The Pitch. With a clean and simple campaign video, Priority’s creators show off the features of their bicycle in an appealing way. They manage to be convincing but not cloying and make the bike really seem like an improved alternative to traditional rides. The rest of the campaign goes more into detail on design specs and even invites interested New Yorkers to stop by the workshop to test ride Priority. This new-fangled bike hopes to raise $30,000 in a month-long Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. For $349 backers will receive the Priority bicycle by December 2014. The highest and only other bike tier offers 10 Priority rides for $3,499.
The Potential. Bike riding has recently exploded as a great way to not only exercise but to also get around the green way. Once pointed out by Priority, the annoyances of the modern bicycle do seem somewhat intolerable. Bikes that offer more convenience in addition to unnecessary gadgets cost upwards of $1,000. Priority is made extremely intelligently, eschewing tech additions for smart design. While it may not be the flashiest thing on the road, the bike does take everyday concerns into account to make for a simple but dazzling product. Due to its great design and incredibly low price, Priority will certainly take over the bike market in no time.
The Premise. Exercising can be even more exhilarating and fruitful with the right music on to help push you to go further. No music, or slow sappy music, can completely mess with your workout rhythm or even make you want to stop. Most music players need to be handled manually in order to change the song, which can be a total hassle.
The Product. The GoGlove is a sports glove that connects to your music player via Bluetooth. Using different finger touch patterns, the wearer can adjust the volume, skip, go back, activate SIRI, play and pause their music on the go. The thin glove can be worn alone or underneath a ski glove for those engaging in winter sports. Its black material makes it look discreet and subtle.
The Pitch. GoGlove’s campaign video shows a humorous montage of runners, cyclists and other athletic types interrupted by a sappy love song. Its creators discuss the functionality of their product, along with stretch goals. The rest of the campaign discusses battery life and other tech specs of the glove. GoGlove is reaching for a $50,000 goal in a month-long Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. For early-glove-wearers, the product is $69 or $79 at a regular price with estimated delivery in December 2014. A stretch goal of $60,000 has been set in the hopes of creating an accompanying Android/iOS app so that wearers can customize their glove experience. A second stretch goal of $100,000 would allow the creators to develop a second product in a wristband form, for warmer sports.
The Potential. There’s nothing like exercising to great music and most people know what it’s like to be powering it out to Beyonce only to lag behind when Jack Johnson comes on. Lots of headphones and earbuds offer a way to adjust the players volume easily, but don’t have the array of options that the GoGlove has. Similarly, most opt to simply make a gym or exercising playlist filled with techno jams to keep that heart rate up. Still, GoGlove’s concept is novel in the fitness accessory world and will certainly be a welcome addition to the market, especially for those engaging in colder sports.
The Premise. Most sporting gear operates as simple machinery like the bicycle, skateboard or rollerblades. More recently, many have added motors and power to transportation device to give them some extra oomph. Even more recently, there have been a slew of accessories designed to go with these products that connect via Bluetooth to apps making them smarter. It is easier than ever to zoom to one’s destination and have detailed data about the trip.
The Product. Acton RockSkates are smart motorized skates that fit right over your shoes. Once they’ve been powered on, simply push off and the motors will take over to propel you forward. For accelerating, lean forward and for braking or stopping, put your heel down. This means that the rider has complete control over the motor without the hassle of a remote. These skates are gray and red and are slightly bulky. With an app and Bluetooth connection, the skater can track their route and mileage as well as the progress of other Acton RocketSkaters in the area.
The Pitch. Acton’s campaign starts off with a video of a ton of hipsters skating around L.A. with some funky music playing in the background. The creator then hops on to explain how his product works and what he needs funding for. For the remainder of the campaign, technical specs are discussed and a long list of praising quotes show the public’s adoration for the product. Acton is looking to raise $50,000 in a 45-day Kickstarter campaign.
The Perks. Early-birds can enjoy several discounted tiers at $199, $249 or $399. At a regular price, a pair of R-6 RocketSkates complete with accoutrements will cost backers a donation of $499 with estimated delivery in October 2014.
The Potential. Acton RocketSkates take the best of motorized transportation and app capabilities. While the skates themselves aren’t super stylish, their remote-less power is certainly desirable. Other sporting products offer power, like the Baja Board, but not many are smart as well. While the app seems interesting, there’s a lot more the creators can do with it, like adding fitness data or even perhaps an interactive map of the best routes through town for those wearing the skates. Still, the Acton RocketSkates are an exciting, futuristic addition to the sporting market and will certainly be worn by many power-hungry fitness buffs.
Cats are ferocious creatures, but many are forced to remain indoors. One Fast Cat is an exercise wheel exclusively for your cat. Why should hamsters have all the fun? This large black wheel features tread and easy assembly. Perhaps in the future, the energy of the wheel could be harnessed to power the house. While an interesting concept for cat lovers, one may save a few extra pennies by simply letting the cat outdoors. One Fast Cat is going for an early price of $175 or $199 at a regular price with estimated delivery in September 2014. This feline exercise wheel hopes to raise $10,000 in a month-long campaign on Kickstarter.
Tricycles are a great way for children to enjoy cycling safely, but don’t always prepare kids for a real bike. The Dreisch Leaning Trike mimics an actual bike with the same kind of necessary leaning for turns, but still has three wheels. With this trike, young ones can ride safe while also developing the necessary skills to learn the fundamentals of bicycle riding. While not completely necessary, the Dreisch Leaning Trike has a noble aim and is a great tool for children, much like the Jyrobike. One Dreisch Trike costs $299 on Kickstarter with estimated delivery in September 2014. This leaning trike hopes to raise $10,000 in two months.
The Premise. The Internet offers so much in the way of art, but these beautiful pieces are stuck on screen. We decorate our houses with art on the wall, but must manually change them when the room’s ambience or our taste changes.
The Product. Electric Objects is a computer designed to display art. Using apps and online databases, Electric Objects owners can change the image that the product shows. The screen doesn’t look like any traditional screen, making the EO blend in with other framed paintings and photographs. The frame comes in different colors and materials, just like traditional frames. With the app, it’s possible to change the image on the screen easily via wifi.
The Pitch. Electric Objects’ campaign video shows different rooms and scenes with the product featured. It does well in showing backers how inconspicuous EO looks and how it blends right into any home without looking like technology. The creators talk about how they are partnering with museums and other venues interested in integrating EO into their collections. Logos of different blogs and news sources permeate the rest of the blog along with quotes of satisfied users. Electric Objects is looking to raise $25,000 in a month-long campaign on Kickstarter.
The Perks. Backers can enjoy the EO for $299 at the special Kickstarter price with estimated delivery in May 2015. This comes with a choice of either black or white and a wall mounting kit. The EO costs $499 at its regular price and at this tier, backers can choose between black, white and wood for the frame.
The Potential. Electric Objects has found a way for the beauty of art to meet the convenience of technology. Digital photo frames offer a way for people to enjoy their own photographs at home, but typically look conspicuous. In addition, they only feature photographed images instead of anything else. Electric Objects looks like any other frame, but has so much more to offer. With the vast gallery of images that its online library offers, this product demonstrates its amazing versatility. Its price is reasonable too, considering how much each new painting must cost. However, like most previous digital picture frames, you won’t be able to set it up too far from an outlet without getting creative with the wiring and it may be too bright at night for active use in a bedroom. All in all, Electric Objects is an excellent way for art buffs to explore different images from all around the world in their own homes.
Die-hard BBQ fans rave about the superiority of charcoal grilling. While perhaps more tasty, charcoal grills do not necessarily travel well. Charby debunks this notion as a portable charcoal BBQ. This nifty little grill is perfect for the beach, campgrounds or park and closely resembles Campfire in a Can. While normally people on the go resort to cooking over a fire, they can now enjoy an easy an convenient charcoal experience with Charby. This New Zealand-made product costs backers $50 NZD with expected delivery in October 2014. Charby is going for a $2,000 NZD goal on Kickstarter.
The Premise. Modern security systems promise innovation and quick response, but can be too complex in the way they work. In addition, they’re expensive and not portable, leaving renters and office owners at risk.
The Product. NOVI is a portable security system. With three features, this small device looks like a typical smoke detector and attaches to the ceiling. It has an HD camera, motion sensor, siren and smoke detector. Information is sent to an app on one’s smartphone if there is any activity. This allows the user to see exactly what is going on at their home at any time. NOVI is also a learning device, keeping track of typical habits so it knows when to arm itself if the user has forgotten to do so. The app asks for a response when an image is sent including call the police, ignore, or request another image.
The Pitch. The campaign video goes through the downside of working with typical security companies and the upside of NOVI. Scary statistics about the false alarm rate common with regular security companies and the costs associated with that permeate the rest of the campaign. NOVI’s creators also really emphasize that their product requires one payment instead of bothersome monthly fees and contracts. NOVI needs to raise $80,000 for a successful run on Kickstarter.
The Perks. Early birds will receive one sensor and the base station for $149, regularly priced at $199. Higher tiers offer more sensors, great for larger apartments, homes or for landlords who’d like to equip the apartments that they lease. Estimated delivery is set for January 2015.
The Potential. Portable home security systems do exist on the market, but not all take the same approach as NOVI. The Tattletale alarm works remotely as well, but costs $500. Similarly, the SimpliSafe alarm system is portable and connects to one’s cell phone, but the company charges a monthly rate for each added feature. NOVI truly is simple and refined. While it could have more features like a carbon monoxide detector, NOVI’s genius lies in its affordability making it the best option for safety for home owners and especially apartment renters.
The Premise. Traveling can be great fun, but security is always a concern. When staying in cheaper rooms, hostels or bed and breakfasts it’s important to make sure that you’re always safe. These places don’t always have sufficient security measures in place for guests.
The Product. EasyLock is a portable lock that travels with you. It operates much like a traditional chain lock that lets the user open the door just enough to see who is knocking. To install, simply place the lock in between the closed door and doorjamb and it will stay in place on its own without glue, nails or screws. This British security device comes in pink and black.
The Pitch. EasyLock’s campaign video goes through the numerous ways that a room occupied by many previous guests may become insecure. While it does not show the actual lock, a later video features the EasyLock in use. The rest of the campaign discusses installation as well as the many places the EasyLock can be handy. This product’s creator explains that his grandchildren were the inspiration for his invention. EasyLock hopes to raise £10,000 in a month-long Indiegogo campaign.
The Perks. For only £17, backers can enjoy the ease and peace of mind provided by the EasyLock. Reward tiers climb up from there offering multiple locks or even an invitation to the super secret launch party for £2,500. The locks are estimated to ship from September to November 2014.
The Potential. Traveling safety is an excellent idea that has recently come into vogue. Before, safety on the road was limited to hotel room safes and luggage locks that the TSA removes anyway. Now, products like the EasyLock offer safety for the unsettled renter, college dorm student, small business owner and numerous others. For instance, NOVI is an entire app-managed security system that is completely portable, letting nomads remain safe wherever they go. Similarly, EasyLock provides an extra security measure that can only help those renting or in transit. Like a traditional chain lock, it is unclear how strong EasyLock actually is and, unfortunately, a good kick may be enough to disable it. However, this lock’s portability makes it unique and desirable in the safety market.