Losing stuff sucks. Having something stolen is even worse. But technology can help us, and that’s precisely what MetaSensor is trying to do with its first product, the fittingly named Sensor-1.
It’s something like a Bluetooth keyfinder – think Tile… on steroids. There’s some fancy technology behind the quarter-sized device, but the concept is simple: attach the device to an item you want to protect, and it’ll alert you when it’s moved outside of a certain ‘safe’ radius.
The device is able to detect changes in both motion and orientation to alert you when an item has been moved. Ordinarily, this wouldn’t be much help if you’re miles away from the item you’re trying to protect, but Metasensor solves this problem through its Aletha cloud platform.
Basically, the Sensor-1 simply needs to be connected to any Bluetooth device in your home to feed information to an internet-connected device. Once it’s moved, it will send that information through the cloud to your smartphone.
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Meanwhile, the Aletha app lets you specify things like motion sensitivity or whether you want to be notified when you leave a device behind, so you don’t leave your laptop at hotel next time you’re on a trip. You can also adjust things like the Sensor-1’s siren volume, its LED blinking pattern, or how long the alarm will repeat.
Creator Nick Warren demoed the product to me in person, and I was impressed to see the variable sensitivities take effect; it could be tuned to react to the slightest motion – like a prized jewel in a spy heist movie – or be less finicky when transporting an object.
There’s a personal bend to the device’s creation too: Warren started the project in 2009 after his family’s home was burglarized – just before he finished implementing a home security system for them. A few months later, a colleague’s laptop was stolen. Six years later, Sensor-1 was born.
That said, security isn’t the only track Metasensor is considering for the Sensor-1 and its Aletha Platform – the company has built an API that allows the Sensor-1 to communicate with Arduino and Raspberry Pi, as well as allow thrid parties to integrate features like measuring motion in sports or detecting earthquakes.
The device just started a crowdfunding round through Indiegogo, and is expected to ship in October or November.
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