Help us pick 10 Insert Coin semi-finalists from this list

Contributing Reporter

UpdatedWed, October 8, 2014 at 4:30 PM UTC

Each of the top 10 semi-finalists for this year's Insert Coin competition will get a $1,000 travel stipend and a spot on our showfloor at Expand NYC. So, we really want to make sure they're projects you'd want to see in person. To make that happen, we're putting the decision in your hands -- we've narrowed the list of contenders down to 16 to make it a bit easier for you, but you'll have to vote for the entry you think deserves a chance to win up to 25 grand. You can look through the list of contenders below and then cast your vote right here until 11:59 in the evening, Pacific time, on October 15th, 2014.

A bunch of drone operators just got the FAA's okay to legally capture aerial shots for Hollywood, so Easy Drone has a bright future ahead. It's a modular quadcopter for videographers who need an affordable, quick-to-assemble tool to take footage from up high. The drone boasts built-in wireless video and camera gimbal control, among many other features.

Think of FITGuard as an athlete's friend against head injury. It's a mouthguard that can measure the force of an impact and displays force by illuminating the LEDs in front of the device. The LEDs' color indicates how severe the impact is, so you'll instantly know if it's just a bump or if you have to see a doctor.

How far will you go to make sure you don't get distracted while typing up that literary masterpiece? Will you get a typewriter for the new era that comes equipped with a small E-ink display and wireless internet? Because that's exactly what Hemingwrite is. It only has a wireless connection, so you can sync your work with Evernote or Google Docs, but you can't load websites on it.

This Homebrew OIl Testing Kit is exactly what it sounds like -- a collection of items you can use to test for oil pollution yourself. The kit includes everything you need to collect, prepare and scan samples, plus it connect via USB so the samples can be analyzed by analytics software at SpectralWorkbench.org.

Your indoor cat has hunting instincts too, you know, and Mousr's one way to let it hunt to its heart's content without getting splattered organs on your floor. The mechanical mouse can even sense your cat and react to its movements like a real rodent would.

You don't want to admit it, but you keep losing keys. Noke wants to solve that issue by not needing one at all -- after all, it's a padlock that can be unlocked with your smartphone via Bluetooth. Even better, you can share access with family you trust enough to let into your home even when you're not around.

ONICS is a system that makes it easy to use smartphones as an in-dash radio and a GPS unit. It also shows important data right on the phone's screen, including your tank's fuel level, the temperature outside and of your engine.

Podo is a small cube that's like an extension of your phone's camera, making it easier to take group selfies or, erm, groufies, if you will. This 8MP camera controlled by an Android or iOS app has LED flash, is powered by a lithium-ion battery and comes with a suction pad, so you can hang it on a wall to take pics.

If you're a constant AirBnB host or just want to make sure everything's A-OK at home without installing heavy duty security system, Point's got your back. It can not only measure noises, but also detect home hazards like cigarette smoke. Plus, since it connects to the internet via WiFi, it can notify you if anything's wrong, and you can access it through your mobile device anytime.

PourSteady is an automated coffeemaker can make five cups in one sitting through pour-over coffeemaking. While this machine's obviously most useful for coffee shops, restaurants and offices, we also see it as a natural addition to the home of a coffee addict with a predilection for the pour-over technique.

SuperNova's a smart gauge for insatiable adventurers -- it can measure speed, acceleration, lean angles, horsepower, skiing runs, scuba dive depths and time, among many other things. The device, of course, was made to endure rough activities, has a long battery life and has a glove-friendly user interface.

Phones are convenient to carry around and all, but sometimes you just really need a bigger screen (bigger than phone-tablet hybrids can offer, that is) that you can carry around. RollRR's a 42-inch rollable, flexible display that connects to your phone so you can view anything you want and share it with your friends.

Shot Stats Challenger was made for serious tennis enthusiasts (and Nadal-wannabes). It clips to your racket and instantly analyzes swing metrics, including head speed, ball spin, ball impact location and shot count and type. You can see the results right on the device's screen, but you can also access them on your phone, since Challenger transmits data via Bluetooth to a mobile device.

If your mom telling you not to slouch just isn't enough to prevent you from doing so, UpRight might be just what you need. It attaches to your lower back and vibrates when it detects bad posture, reminding you to sit up straight and stop mimicking Quasimodo.

Voltera is for hardcore electronic makers, as it can print out circuit boards on the fly. It can even dispense solder paste for multilayer circuit boards, effectively and significantly cutting development time.

LifeShel Whistl is a phone case that comes with external buttons you can push in times of emergency. Doing so automatically calls authorities and sends a message to contacts you choose to include in a special list. It even has several modes you can activate based on how you click its buttons, including one that makes a racket when you need to call someone's attention and another that silently calls for help.

About our ads

Trending:

Help us pick 10 Insert Coin semi-finalists from this list

Easy Drone

Follow Us