People do not really need a bunch of tiny sensors all over their house to collect data, but some would definitely want them. These people might want to check out an up-and-coming Polish start-up called Clime. This company makes a whole line of tiny, multi-purpose sensors that are really a lot more affordable than any in the market.
The sensors were available for pre-order on the company’s independent crowd-funding campaign, with each costing around $26. This is a lot costlier than the original price of $15 that the company was aiming for when they had first announced the project. But, it is still a lot cheaper than most other sensors that you can buy in the market.
There are three varieties of these sensors. They have a base model tag, available for $35, that only tracks one of humidity, movement, and light, and a pack of three, that is priced at $100, that tracks light, humidity, and movement. All the tags are connected via network and can send alerts to your mobile device, and also come with a small patch of adhesive on the back that lets them be placed just about anywhere. They also offer a Full Pack of a Clime HUB and 3 Clime sensors for $160, and a 2X Full Pack of 2 of each for $320.
The small size and all the versatility set these sensors apart from the others. Instead of designing a unique type of sensor for a specific application, Clime has come up with a more open-ended approach that lets you use their sensors in creative ways. You can use them in just about any way you see fit. The sensor that tracks humidity and temperature can be used as an alarm based on light, that would send you a notification whenever the sun rises. You can also place it on your clothes line to send you a notification when the laundry is dry.
Similarly, you could use the temperature and light sensor of Clime to sound an alarm when the sun rises, or as a security system to alert you when a light is switched on when you are away from home. The temperature and motion sensor can be used in different ways, too. You can set it up as a baby monitor, a monitor for doors or windows, a fridge alarm, and as anything that crosses your mind. As Clime sensors have been designed to be placed anywhere, their uses can be defined only by your imagination.
Right now, all the data that the sensor collects is just sent across to your phone to give you alerts when something changes, or to provide simple visualisations of the activity in your home. But, in the future, the makers, Bart Zimny and Andrew Pawlikowski, plan on creating actuators and other systems to work with the sensors. This will help users to do things like control HVAC systems, close or open windows automatically depending on the changes in the weather.
Now that the sensors have hit the market, the company is facing stiff competition from well-established home automation and monitoring systems like Iris, Staples Connect, and Smart Things. But, the price of $35 for a device might just tip the scales in their favour.
