UPDATED 09:53 EDT / OCTOBER 24 2013

Smart Sensors Take Over Bike Locks + 3D Scanners

This week’s SmartDevice roundup features the latest crowdfunding projects, starting with a smart lock for your bike, a mobile sensor to capture the 3D world, and a device that manages charging for various devices.

BitLock

 

Tired of always fumbling for the keys of your bike lock?  With BitLock, you no longer need a key to lock or unlock your bike.  BitLock looks like any U-lock available in the market, the only difference is, it connects with your iOS or Android device via BLE, so it senses you as you approach, and you just need to push a button to lock or unlock it.  And because it uses keyless entry, you can send a code or pair other devices with the lock, so its great for people sharing bikes.

Every time you lock or unlock BitLock, your GPS location is recorded so you never have to worry about forgetting where you parked.  And the BitLock app tracks how far you ride, how much calories you burn, and even how much CO₂ you save when you bike, charting daily, weekly, or monthly.

BitLock uses an advanced lithium-ion battery that doesn’t need frequent charging and lasts up to five years.  When the juice on the lock is running low, it sends a notification to your phone so you can change the battery immediately.  Also, the lock itself is made up of reinforced and heat-treated steel, and all the internal components are sealed and waterproofed to withstand any type of weather, or extreme environmental conditions.

BitLock still has 21 days to go to reach its funding goal of $120,000.

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Structure Sensor

 

Structure Sensor is a small electronic device that attaches to your mobile handset to scan objects and rooms in 3D, play augmented reality games, and even develop mobile apps with 3D vision.  You can use it to scan 3D images of an object so you can print it in 3D.

The Structure Sensor is encased in anodized aluminum and is available in two colors, Ice Blue and Silver.  It features an onboard power supply that provides up to 4 hours of active use and 1000+ hours of standby, as well as dual infrared LEDs.  Right out of the box, it comes with fours apps including Room Capture, which allows you to capture a 3D model of a room; Fetch, a virtual pet to play fetch with; Ball Physics, an augmented reality demo where virtual balls interact with the dense geometry of the world; and Object Scanner which captures models of objects and export them to CAD software or for 3D printing.

The project has been successfully funded and devices are expected to start shipping in November.

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thingCHARGER

 

Don’t you get annoyed when charging cords snake across the floor?  Everything looks messy, right?  One crowdfunding project has found a way to allow you to charge multiple devices without the mess.

Dubbed the thingCHARGER, it is a charging station that plugs into your wall socket.  It has a protruding, interchangeable tip so you can charge any device on it, and you won’t have to worry about anyone accidentally stepping on your device as it will be propped up on the wall.  You can stack two to three thingCHARGERs so you can power three devices at once while having them neatly placed one in  front of the other.

thingCHARGER still has 22 days left to reach its funding goal of $25,000.

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