4 handy gadgets of tomorrow that you can order now (week 5)
The greatest technological innovations do not come from ‘big tech’ companies, but from smaller start-ups chasing their dreams. Thanks to crowdfunding sites, you will be the first to get your hands on the best new products. We select four cool gadgets: from a robot dog with an arm, to a keyboard with adjustable feedback and a platform that plans your vacation and weekend trips from A to Z.
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4 coolest gadgets
Not everyone is already familiar with the principle of crowdfunding, and that is also normal. It’s still a relatively new concept, but one that can help creative people make a difference. You first support a great idea for a product, and then you can follow the progress until the package arrives at your door. These are the four coolest gadgets on crowdfunding websites.
1. XGO 2 – smart robot dog with mechanical arm
For who is it?
For anyone who wants a smart robot four-legged friend
What is it?
The XGO 2 is a robot that can act like a dog. The device recognizes its ‘owner’ based on its microphones and camera. In addition, AI ensures that the XGO 2 understands what you mean.
For example, you can ask him to pick up an object with his mechanical arm and it is also possible to teach him things. Those who have knowledge of the Python and Blocky programming languages can also create more complex commands. The XGO 2 works with a Raspberry Pi, which is a compact Linux computer.
Furthermore, the robot dog moves in 12 dimensions and on its screen it can show, among other things, the ’emotions’ determined by its algorithm. Via the accompanying app you can easily adjust the settings or operate your robot dog with a remote control as if it were an RC car.
- XGO 2 – Kickstarter – 458 euros incl. shipping – expected in April 2023
2. AM Compact Touch – keyboard with useful features
For who is it?
For those who like fancy keyboards
What is it?
The AM Compact Touch is a keyboard where you as a user can set the same degree of feedback. The buttons can respond harder or softer to your keystrokes, and there are eight different settings in total.
Furthermore, the AM Compact Touch is very compact because there are no arrow keys. These have been replaced by a touchpad on the front. You can personalize the AM Compact Touch down to the last key and the makers let you choose from seven completely different styles and color palettes. And don’t worry, adjustable RGB lighting is also included.
- AM Compact Touch – IndieGoGo – 451 euros incl. shipping – expected in April 2023
via GIPHY
3. Storaxa – NAS with WiFi 6 router
For who is it?
For those who are a fan of cloud services, but still want to be in control
What is it?
The Storaxa is your personal cloud service. It is physical storage that like a NAS – Network Attached Storage – can synchronize files with all your devices.
The device has five hard drive slots and with them it can store up to 110 TB of data. In addition, there is also room for 4 SSDs, good for a maximum of 32 GB of storage. So you can use the SSDs on the Storexa to back up the data on your hard drives.
But there is more to tell about the Storaxa, because this device also doubles as a dual-band WiFi 6 router. It contains four 2.5 Gpbs Ethernet ports that allow you to connect your devices directly. Finally, there is also an SD and a microSD slot. The Storexa is compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android and Linux.
- Storaxa – Kickstarter – 252 euros incl. shipping – expected in June 2023
4. WeTime – smart website plans trips from A to Z
For who is it?
For those who love vacation, but without planning
What is it?
The Belgian start-up WeTime uses artificial intelligence to plan holidays and short trips completely for the user. The hotel, transport, activities and restaurant visits are planned in detail according to your needs.
With WeTime you set when you want to travel, with whom and from where you depart. You set the planned budget in advance and WeTime then gives you an overview of possible holidays. You can then further refine your criteria by, for example, choosing a country yourself. The final final decisions always lie with the user. In addition to, for example, the hotel that WeTime has selected as the best for your trip, it shows four alternatives together with the necessary information.
- WeTime – Kickstarter – from 15 euros – expected in February 2023
Think of this with crowdfunding
Keep in mind that crowdfunding is always primarily supporting an idea, with no real guarantee that the actual product will meet your expectations. So choose the projects and start-ups that you really believe in and follow the regular development and shipping updates that the start-ups communicate. Supporting projects through crowdfunding is therefore not the same as shopping.
