Quite a few interesting ideas have recently appeared on the so-called crowdfunding servers Kickstarter and Indiegogo. It is these websites that are used by imaginative individuals to obtain the necessary funds to start mass production.
And a number of them are really successful, people regularly send several million crowns to imaginative individuals for interesting projects.
Of course, the idea is decisive. If it is interesting enough, fans will not hesitate to support the creator with a large amount of money. As a result, they usually get the product themselves even before it is available for free sale.
Introducing ChessUp 2Video interactive chess board: archive of the creators
A million dollar idea. The most famous online chess comes to life in the real world
Games and gaming systems
This is also the case with the new product called ChessUp 2. It was created to give players a more interactive experience from every chess game they play. The new chessboard is connected to the Chess.com portal, the largest chess server in the world.
Instead of clicking on a smartphone screen or moving pieces with a mouse on a computer, you can make moves on a physical chessboard, which automatically converts them into an online game.
The opponent’s moves are recorded by lit squares directly on the chessboard. This way you can see exactly where you have to place the piece instead of your opponent on the physical keyboard. The respective squares also light up when you take one of your own pieces into your hand, because the player’s chessboard guides you to where exactly the individual pieces can be moved. If you place the piece incorrectly, the board will not let you make the move.
Considering that, in addition to real opponents, you can also use ChessUp 2 to play with virtual shoes, so the novelty will also replace the function of a coach.
There is a small touch screen on the side of the device, through which you can start and end games. It also works as a timer and game mode controller. With a bit of exaggeration, it can be said that you will no longer need a smartphone or a computer for gaming.
On Kickstarter, the creators wanted just $10,000 (CZK 238,000) to start mass production, but since the beginning of April, they have raised $615,154 (CZK 14.6 million) from more than 2,200 people. It will be possible to donate for another month, so the amount collected will probably be even higher. Everyone who pays at least USD 199 (CZK 4740) will get ChessUp 2.
Photo: archive of creators
Interactive chess board ChessUp 2
Money factory
The robotic lawnmower Yuka from Mammotion became an even bigger hit. This year, she reached out to 1,355 people who sent a total of 17.2 million Hong Kong dollars, which is equivalent to 52.24 million crowns. At the same time, the price of the mower was set at just over 30,000 crowns in the crowdfunding campaign.
The novelty is equipped with a special 3D Vision camera, which, thanks to the dual RTK system, can map the entire plot completely autonomously. The entire system is so sophisticated that, unlike competing solutions, it even works without a GPS signal. And of course without peripheral wires.
In the service application, you can also set the place where the chopped grass is to be taken. This is because it is automatically collected by a sweeping machine into a container, which the robot can then empty itself.
Smart robotic lawnmower YukaVideo: manufacturer’s archive
CES 2024: He even draws while chopping. This is what the smartest robotic mower looks like
Hardware
According to the manufacturer, it is the very first self-emptying robotic mower on the market. At the same time, Yuka manages to remove not only cut grass, but also fallen leaves, twigs and other dirt from the lawn.
One of the other big attractions of this new product is supposed to be the lawn printing technology, which builds on the artificial intelligence (AI) system. In practice, it works very simply – the robotic mower cuts the grass to a different height in pre-selected places, creating a pattern effect.
You can set exactly how it should look in the service application. In this way, it is possible to draw simple symbols, such as circles, hearts, stars, etc. But at the same time, it is also possible to write different letters.
To be able to do all this, the novelty is equipped with a double cutting disc with a diameter of 320 mm, which can cut at a height of 30 to 100 millimeters. It is also interesting that different values can be set for each mowing zone.
Other advanced functions include voice control, smart rain detection and automatic charging. For security reasons, the mower has its own GPS and 4G module, through which it connects to the Internet.
Thanks to this, you can comfortably control the robotic lawnmower remotely from practically anywhere – you can even be on the other side of the planet.
Photo: archive of the manufacturer
One of the main strengths is advanced obstacle detection
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Design above all
The smart home design controller Mui Board 2 also attracted attention on Kickstarter. Instead of the originally requested $10,000 (CZK 238,000), the creators eventually raised $166,210 (CZK 3.96 million) from 309 supporters. Everyone who donated at least $499 (CZK 11,880) will receive the driver.
Mui Board 2 is supposed to make it easier to control a smart home, because you can literally control the vast majority of elements with a few touches. In addition, weather information, time and a number of other useful data are displayed on the inconspicuous display.
The novelty can, for example, read the current temperature from the thermostat and then display it directly on the wooden panel. There is probably no need to emphasize that such a thermostat can subsequently control the Board 2 remotely.
Mui Board 2Video smart home design controller: manufacturer archive
CES 2024: It looks like a piece of wood, but it controls the entire smart home
Hardware
The latest generation of the controller from Mui is designed for all smart home elements that build on the Matter communication standard. It is the result of the cooperation of large technology giants such as Apple, Google, Amazon and others.
In practice, this standard should ensure maximum compatibility of connected devices practically across the entire market. And it doesn’t matter if you’ve used Apple HomeKit, Google Weave or Thread from Nest Labs.
Probably the biggest added value is the design of the new product, which is strictly minimalist. When the controller is not activated, it feels completely unobtrusive. It’s just a piece of wood on the wall that you can match beautifully with other accessories without making the whole home look too over-the-top.
Photo: Miloslav Fišer, Novinky
Control is very intuitive
They almost failed with them
Even ideas that seem too crazy at first glance and appeal to only a few dozen people can be surprisingly successful. This is also the case with the first Skwheel electric skis, which come from the French startup of the same name.
In order for the campaign to be successful and for the first electric skis to actually be produced, it was necessary to raise at least 50,000 euros (1.27 million crowns). In the end, this really succeeded, the creators’ account finally landed in February after the end of the campaign, more than twice the amount – namely 104,476 euros (2.65 million crowns). However, only 56 people contributed, the price of electric skis was set at 1,600 euros (40,690 CZK).
Each ski has one wheel at the front and one at the back, each wheel has a 600 watt hub motor. Together, the skis have a combined power of 2400 watts, which is enough to develop a speed of up to 80 km/h.
Photo: Miloslav Fišer, Novinky
The first Skwheel electric skis
CES 2024: This is adrenaline! The French developed the first electric skis
Internet a PC
However, when driving on the road, the speed will be adjusted to 25 km/h due to legislation. Only on private land will it be possible to switch the mode to maximum power. By the way, the wheels are shod with off-road tires and allow the use of skis on the road even in mild terrain.
You can adjust the speed on the remote control, which, similar to electric skateboards, you hold in your hand while driving. It also has an emergency brake for immediate stopping. The manufacturer did not forget about other safety features either, the electric skis have white lights at the front and red lights at the back.
The manufacturer promises that with a fully charged battery, the electric skis will be able to travel up to 30 km. But it is valid at a speed of up to 25 km/h. At maximum performance, the endurance will be markedly lower. On the other hand, the battery is easily replaceable, so you can buy more and easily change them when needed, even on the go.
With the supplied charger, a fully discharged battery can be charged to full in about three hours. You can monitor the battery status on the supplied remote control.
By the way, it is more practical than it might seem at first glance. It is used to fasten the skis when you are not using them. You then pull out the handle directly from it so that you can drag the skis behind you, similar to a suitcase on wheels. Electric skis weigh 12.5 kg.
Photo: Miloslav Fišer, Novinky
Thanks to the massive tires, the skis can even go on mild terrain
Interest in Czech start-ups is waning. Investments fell by three quarters
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