Brush Monkey: Clever Learning Tool Or Potential Spy Device?
February 11, 2012
There is no doubt Brian Krejcarek is passionate about wireless sensors. For the last year Krejcarek has been living in an abandoned air shaft as he perfected his latest project, an Internet-enabled, wireless toothbrush.
The toothbrush sensor has an internal accelerometer which senses the correct movement pattern for properly brushing teeth. Covered in silicon to resist water, the sensor slides over most toothbrush handles. It then sends the data wirelessly to an Internet module plugged into a router where it is fed into the Brush Monkey iPhone App in real time.
The Brush Monkey App will mimic your brushing and when you have completed two full minutes the monkey dances with joy.
Now that the prototype has been perfected, Krejcarek is hoping to jump start production by fundraising for the Brush Monkey on Kickstarter. The toothbrush sensor is just the start for Krejcarek. He has been working on sensors thin enough to fit in puffy stickers that will calculate and identify a wide variety of data.
"We'd like to offer all kinds of other sensors. For example, a sensor on the dog leash measures when you walk the dog. Who didn't put the lid down on the toilet? We can make one for that too. Take your medicine? Play with toys? It's about our actual behaviors and doing things together." Brian Krejcarek via KickstarterAll the upcoming sensors use the same router base station allowing a variety of data to be collected. The base station will pick up and process any data within the 200 foot wireless range. For those who would like to write their own apps to go with a sensor, an API has already been released and is available on the Green Goose website. The basic kit with toothbrush sensor and base station can be pre-ordered on Kickstarter for a $49 pledge. For the added sensors you may pledge more or purchase them on the Green Goose website as they become available. Sensors are expected to sell for $9. We think the toothbrush idea is fantastic for teaching children how to brush properly in a positive and fun way, however we are really fascinated by the possibilities that these stickers might have for other applications. Knowing if someone has opened your door, if the spare key has been moved or your teenager sneaks into the house after curfew can be very handy information. What other uses do you think the sensors could have? As the uses grow we can't help but wonder how they might be abused. As an example: If used in the workplace, without the knowledge of employees, to measure productivity would this be a violation of privacy? Would you be tempted to use sensors for evil or for good? Let us know in the comments! If the video above does not show please click here.