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Five Fantasy Gadgets That
Could Come True in 2013
From
Fantasy to Reality, With Help From the Crowd: Want a look at what high-tech
gizmos you might be unwrapping at the end of 2013? We scoured crowdfunding
websites such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo for innovative projects that
raised money in 2012. Now it's up to their designers to deliver. We talked
to 5 who expect to ship their products to backers in the year ahead—and
might even have them ready for sale more widely in time to put under the
tree.
ARDUSAT:
Take Your Own Pictures From Space
Amount raised: $106,330 Launch date:
July 15, 2013
Cost:
Not yet available
Cool factor:
Pilot a satellite—space camp not required
On July 15, 2013, the team behind ArduSat plans to launch two satellites
into space. The 10-cubic centimeter satellites will let backers use the
onboard cameras to take pictures from space or design and run space-based
applications, games, and experiments. Kickstarter backers paid as little as
$150 for the chance to take 15 photos and as much as $10,000 for the
Platinum Partner package, which offers one full week of satellite use,
among other perks. Founder Peter Platzer's ultimate goal is for the ArduSat
to be accessible to schools and space enthusiasts, so he's hoping to be
able to keep costs within reach of the general public.
ATOMS EXPRESS TOYS:
High-Tech Building Blocks
Amount raised: $183,232
Due to ship:
June 2013
Cost:
From $10 for a single component to about $70 for a set
Cool factor:
Build a magic wand that actually makes things move
ATOMS founder Michael Rosenblatt wanted to create a plug-and-play toy that
lets kids "make things that do things." For example: a magic wand
with a motion sensor that can shut a door remotely. The color-coded system
of sensors and devices such as motors and lights are akin to high-tech
building blocks that can be rigged to interact with other toys. At the
ATOMS University in Boulder, Colo., where the team behind ATOMS invites
children to learn about and play with the product, Rosenblatt says kids
usually take about 15 to 20 minutes to figure out the components, then as
little as 5 minutes before they're off making new things.
AUTOM:
Your New Robot Overlord Weight Coach
Amount raised:
$7,286
Due to ship:
June 2013
Cost:
Not yet available
Cool factor:
A robot weight loss coach that can't judge me? Yes, please
Cory Kidd's research at MIT Media Lab showed that robots can help humans
keep off the pounds: People were more engaged when tracking their exercise
and weight loss with a robot than on a computer or paper log. His company,
Intuitive Automata, has developed Autom, a 15-inch-tall robot weight coach
designed for the home user. She can work with up to five people and will
develop a different relationship with each of them over time. You enter
your information through Autom's touchscreen and can connect such devices
as a FitBit so she can monitor your progress and give you feedback.
DOORBOT:
Connect Your Doorbell to Your iPhone
Amount raised:
$151,798 (as of Jan. 2)
Due to ship:
July 2013
Cost:
"Somewhere just up to $200"
Cool factor:
Never miss a package again
The idea for this Wi-Fi-enabled, video doorbell that connects to mobile
devices emerged from an actual need of the group of inventors, designers,
and engineers who make up Edison Junior Design Laboratory. Working in the
detached garage on Chief Executive Jamie Siminoff's property in Los
Angeles, they could never hear the doorbell. When they couldn't find a
doorbell powerful enough to reach their lab, they decided to build one
themselves. DoorBot has an adjustable camera lens, will run for up to a
year on four AA batteries, and can sync with an iPhone, iPad, or Android
device. When someone rings your doorbell, you get a notification on your
device. You can see who's there and talk to them over the intercom from
your phone—so no matter where you are, you can always answer the door.
FORM 1:
A 3D Printer for Your Home Office
Amount raised:
$2,945,885
Due to ship:
April 2013
Cost:
$3,299
Cool factor:
High-res 3D printing on your desktop will make many a designer smile
The developers of the Form 1 3D printer, Formlabs, had three main goals:
higher resolution, lower cost, and simplicity. The Form 1 uses a laser to
solidify liquid resin, making it more precise than the layering process
used by MakerBot and other 3D printers aimed at the consumer market. (The
company is facing a patent challenge over the technology from 3D Systems,
another 3D printer maker.) The Form 1 still costs $500 more than a MakerBot
Replicator2X but a whole lot less than the high-end professional 3D
printers that can cost $25,000 or more, according to Luke Winston, Formlabs'
operations manager. As for simplicity, it comes with the software to design
your creation and a finishing kit to help clean up and add any last touches
to the final product.
By
Bernadette Walker | Bloomberg Businessweek
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