Health, Internet of Things, Smart Home

These 20 Internet of Things Startups Promise to Revolutionize Your Lifestyle in 2017

Best Internet Things Startups

Connected. Cool. Convenient.

From smart kitchens and ovens that alert you when your stew is cooked and TVs that instantly translate any shows’ language to your language of choice, to alarm systems that use facial recognition to tell whether you are being robbed or a friend is simply visiting, the Internet of Things of 2017 is extremely advanced. As well-established companies and promising startups alike are finding new ways to infiltrate their cunning concepts into our lives, the Internet of Things goes way beyond what people used to expect, namely small gadgets that can be connected to a phone but ultimately show no utility.

While it would be a mistake not to take into account the general concerns regarding the possibility of getting spied on by including new IoT gadgets into your daily life, ignoring the huge advancements made in the recent years or months, even, by not giving them a try out of sheer fear would be a bigger mistake.

That being said, here are the 20 most groundbreaking IoT startups that are not afraid to break the mold, and that deserve some looking into.

The Top 20 IoT Startups Set to Revolutionize Your Lifestyle in 2017

Evrythng Gooee Skybell OpenTRV Pavegen
Lucis Lumen OpenVR OMSignal Pavegen
Athos Aira Wear Saffron Eight Dojo Labs
Nuimo Smart Home Controller Taylor Smart Desk Phree Smart Pen Chirp.io Blue Sense Networks

1. Evrythng


In essence, Evrythng is powering what is described as Ecosystem connectivity. This is about providing an ingenious tool to not only identify what a particular intelligent system is supposed to do, but also what it is doing live. Then Evrythng patches up the various ends of a smart system so that it can monitor different tasks instantaneously and report back to the user via an accessible dashboard.

Evrythng provides the overall data streaming and management engine which goes on to feed you with vital information to help you control the essentials of your smart home or office.

So you can control lights, intelligent kitchen products such as a smart oven or fridge, as well as that clever thermostat just as you like.

However, what really stands out about the Evrythng ecosystem connectivity concept is how easy it makes it combine different smart systems to work together and channel data through just one data management and control platform, eliminating the tediousness brought by having to juggle between multiple dashboards and apps.

Running the company’s software provides the Web APIs, cloud backup, data and control management gateways that can help restrict access to the type of information being collected.
Meaning improved security and improved live communication within the ecosystem.
This UK-based startup promises to connect multiple electronics products to the Internet of Things. That also extends to tagging smart labels on products, which will lead to smarter packaging.

2. Gooee

Gooee IoT
Gooee is a startup company offering a system for controlling lights, comprising embedded sensors, processors and Bluetooth Low Energy connectivity. Gooee’s plan is to not only revolutionize the lighting industry but also to offer smart lighting solutions that will help users save money and time.

The startup’s advantages are providing the intelligent lighting we are becoming accustomed to and collecting important human and environmental data in real-time.

Not only does Gooee’s smart lighting light up your home or office efficiently, but it also gives you the power to control the lighting system from a mobile app, web application, or wall-mounted interface.

You can even pre-set rules, which the system will use in your absence. Therefore, you can program the lights to go off at a particular time and in a particular room or place, say, in the bathroom when no one’s using it.

Gooee’s smart lighting system detects ambient light, humidity, indoor temperature, energy consumption live with the help of intelligent data collection and management software from Evrythng, serving as a great example of the previous’ item’s usefulness. It will then provide this data to you via the mobile apps and wall UI, so you can decide whether you need to change anything.

3. SkyBell

skybell IoT
Now, you can hear, see and speak to a visitor at your doorbell whether you are in, around or away from your home. You are now able to be out enjoying life, at work, or just anywhere away from home, while still keeping a watchful check on who sets foot on your doorstep. Whether it is an urgent delivery or a friend at your doorstep, you can see in HD video exactly who or what is outside your door on your Android or IOS device.

All a visitor needs to do is press the doorbell, and the camera works to provide real-time footage on what’s happening on the other side of your door. Even when they don’t, the SkyBell HD doorbell uses motion detection to ping you with an alert on your smartphone. You can then decide to turn off the live footage conveniently right from your mobile app.

Moreover, SkyBell features a night vision mode, which you can depend on to check out visitors at night without them realizing you are actually keeping a watch on them—a good thing when you are worried someone showed up at a wrong time.

You can also connect SkyBell to other IoT products and networks, creating a seamless experience.

4. OpenTRV

This UK based start-up wants to help householders save money by not heating rooms they are not in. It is more of a smart thermostat that is aimed mainly at saving you money on your annual energy bill.

OpenTRV seeks to not only use one thermostat to control indoor temperature throughout the home but to do so in a certain manner that helps you to compare different heating behaviors, as well as save you lots of cash in energy bills.

This technology, paired with Gooee, the smart lighting system, could reduce bills worldwide by enabling users to keep up with their consumption patterns and costs, making the two technologies must-haves in the near future.

5. Pavegen

Pavegen IoT
Continuing the trend of IoT technologies saving energy and, ultimately, money, Pavegen enables users to charge their devices while on-the-go, by using nothing but the kinetic energy produced by moving.

Pavegen has also installed smart tiling in various locations, which convert the same kinetic energy into electricity in order to light up the street lights, convert steps into currency which is then donated to various charities, or simply power up the tiling, which then shows people which way they should go in order to reach their destination.

While their plan for charging devices with kinetic energy is still a secret, it’s something to look forward to, especially after taking a glance through their impressive portfolio.

6. DriftTV

DriftTV IoT
This smart home IoT start-up promises to remove the blues out of your TV watching experience every single time you need to. Saffron has introduced Drift TV to do this.
Drift TV is a high-tech box you can connect to your TV via the HDMI link to cut emitted blue light from 100% to almost nil in 10% increments.

The increments ensure that you do not really notice the color transitions that are going every second you are watching your favorite show.

The benefits of cutting back on blue light emitted by your TV include better eye health and sleep quality.

If you still want to keep your doctor’s advice to reduce your screen time and achieve better sleep patterns, the Drift TV box can help you do so without missing your favorite shows.

7. SmartDesk

While this may not be what comes to mind when you’re thinking about a “smart desk”, this technology is extremely good for the user’s health. Now at its second iteration, the Autonomous SmartDesk is able to adjust its height according to your needs.

The process is simple and silent, as you simply need to input your desired height into the keypad available. Then, the rest is done by the desk’s silent motors.

There are hundreds of models available, and you can customize your own SmartDesk to include things like a wireless charger, a USB charger, a speaker, or even an AI pack which comes with smart home control, a personal assistant, and a software development kit.

If you’d like your SmartDesk to look fancier, you can pick the SmartDesk Art model, which will set you back at least $1000, but is made out of hand-picked wood, which gives it a great aesthetic. If you’d rather save some money, you could always choose the DIY kit, which starts at $250. The regular SmartDesk version starts at $350.

8.Eight Sleep Tracking

Eight-Sleep-Tracking IoT
No, that’s not a typo. Eight is the name of the company which provides users with two ways of enhancing their sleep. The first one is the Eight smart mattress, which is indisputably the best mattress currently on the market: not only is it extremely comfortable, as it uses time-tested techniques, but it also has an entire array of smart functions, such as tracking your sleep, custom heating each side of the bed, silent alarms and more. The best part? Everything is done simply through an app on your phone.

The second one is the sleep tracker, which is a sensor layer that you can fit over any mattress, turning it into a smart mattress, and giving it the full functionality of the Eight mattress.

9.Nuimo Smart Home Controller

Another smart home controller that can hand you the control you might need to manage all that tech in your crib. The hardware is about the size of a smoke detector and is programmable to your liking.

You can pair it up with your smart home entertainment system such as Sonos. Connect it to smart thermostats or even a Phillips Hue Smart Lightbulb.

Nuimos can handle up to 30 devices at once and integrates certain cloud services such as Spotify and Netflix. Finally, you can view progress on all connected devices from your smartphone (both Android and IOS) as well as control them from there, remotely.

10.Phree Smartpen

Phree-Smartpen IoT
While you may have never expected to need a smart pen before reading this article, you may feel the need to pre-order one after you hear everything it can do. First of all, Phree is able to write on just about any surface, and it detects whether you’re writing or drawing, changing itself based on your current activity. In addition, Phree tracks whatever it is you are writing and is able to send that to a phone via Bluetooth.

The smartpen also has a touch screen, which shows you any notifications you may have received on your phone. If you are still not impressed, Phree can also double as a stylus for your phone or even a stand.

11.Cyc-lok


An Ireland-based startup, Cyc-lok is working to ensure the safety of bikes all across the world. Founded by Stephen and Louise Murphy, the company has placed smart lockers for bikes that can be controlled through a smartphone app.

Dublin was the first city to get a taste of the experience, with the first Cyc-lok station being placed in Pearse Station. The lockers protect your bike from thieves and weather alike, as well as from third-party viewing, meaning that you can park your bike there and not have to worry about it until you retrieve it.

12.Smappee

Another great startup for controlling your spending, Smappee is a smart meter that monitors your consumption of energy, gas, water and solar energy on a real-time basis. Similar to “a traffic controller at a busy intersection”, it also allows consumers to control their home appliances.

The energy monitor keeps track of your electricity usage by means of a little clamp that goes on the outside of the cable connected to your electricity meter. The monitor itself connects to your home wi-fi network in order to send information to the Smappee App on your smartphone.

Smappee can also be used with solar panels in order to earn a cryptocurrency called SolarCoin, giving users more reasons to try the meter out.

13.Heapsylon

Heapsylon IoT
Just like the smart pen on this list, smart socks may not have been on your wishlist so far. However, Heapsylon, a startup dedicated to creating new gadgets that will improve the safety of joggers and athletes, have recently created the Sensoria socks, which have special sensors embedded that can measure textile pressure, as well as track steps, calories burned, altitude, speed, weight distribution and many more.

The smart socks, paired with a Sensoria electronic anklet and a smartphone app, make for the ultimate workout experience.

14.Bluedrop Medical

Bluedrop-Medical IoT
Galway startup Bluedrop Medical have truly pushed the boundaries of modern medicine, by giving doctors the technology needed to detect foot ulcers in diabetics, which, if left untreated, may require amputation. Foot ulcers are the cause of up to 86,000 amputations annually in the US, at an estimated cost of $17 billion.

This means that not only will this technology save a lot of people from a life without their limbs, but will also save a lot of money, which can then go towards solving other health problems.

Bluedrop’s founders are Chris Murphy – who won the Irish leg of the James Dyson Award back in 2011 – and Simon Kiersey. In August, the company landed €600,000 in funding from investors including Ian Quinn, founder of Creganna, and Paul Gilson, founder of MedNova, Novate and Veryan.

15.Undagrid

Undagrid IoT
Based in Netherlands, Undagrid is a startup company set to emulate the same seamless connectivity found in the home-based IoT in airports, harbours and stations by connecting assets in a single network.

Undagrid’s technology lets devices form their own self-expanding network without any configuration or the need for any type of controller.

Because Undagrid uses extremely low amounts of power, devices can operate for years on one battery, meaning that administrators will also save money in the long run.

16. Lucis

Lucis IoT
Now, this is world’s most powerful, wireless LED which changes color and brightness just on a touch. Lucis Lite can go up to 4 to 40 hours, whereas Lucis Bambo can work fro 8 to 100 hours with one charge. This device is ideal for both indoor and outdoor usage. Lucis is splash proof and can connect with a standard 1/4 tripod connector which you can easily get in the market.

17. OmSignal

OmSignal is behind the tech hand that helped Ralph Lauren Corp to lit the daylights on PoloTech Shirt.Launched late in 2015, the PoloTech shirt is apparel for the absolute health tracker.

Costing around $295, the unusual shirt is a biometric piece of clothing that measures the wearer’s vitals such as body temperature, breathing depth, heart rate, steps taken, as well as stress and energy exertion.

This workout shirt has silver fibers rush directly into the fabric. A sensor-filled box right at the rib cage level then helps collect, record and makes sense of the data collected.

The advantage point that makes this a different kind of wearable tech is in that it can not only tell you what is happening in your body, but it can recommend what to do next.

However, we feel two problems with the Ralph Lauren Corporation connected shirt. One it is only currently available for IOS devices.

Two, the PoloTech casual and connected shirt is not compatible with third-party fitness apps. So unlucky for you if you thought maybe you could connect the apparel to one of your favorite Healthkit apps.

OmSignal sells its own line of smart shirts, though—if you do not go for the Ralph Lauren option.

18. Athos

Athos IoT
Athos has created what it claims to be the world’s first wearable, smart fitness apparel. The connected pants help measure your heart rate and muscle effort in real-time.

So, unlike OmSignal, you use the Athos Gear and Athos mobile apps to keep track of exactly which muscles are hard at work, and how they are holding up at the exact moment, you need to know.

The start-up is relying on its Athos Core technology to do this. Core collects, records and analyzes data gathered by the athletics-orientated Athos Gear and feed this information to your smartphone using Bluetooth connectivity.

You can then base your next plan of action on this data to reach your fitness goal quickly and efficiently—pretty handy for just about anyone keen on exercising for maximum health benefits such as healthy weight loss.

You only need a single Core to use with any Athos apparel. Too bad Athos only supports IOS for this—without Android support, they might just lose a sizable share of the market the other smart fabrics start-ups on here.

19. Dojo Labs

Coming out of Palo Alto, CA, Dojo Labs think it is about time you kept a lid over the smart tech in your home from snooping on your everyday life—at least when you need some private time.

Let’s face it. All the tech in the smart home can be quite overwhelming. That freakish feeling that you are being watched can be utterly disturbing.

If this sounds like your case, Dojo is developing a smart home control platform to control your always-on hardware and software. That means you will only record what you want to and keep anyone else out of that adorable loop your private life is.

20. Blue Sense Networks

Blue Sense Networks’ iBeacon sensors hardware and proximity apps use Bluetooth LE to connect and personalize your shopping, traveling, etc. experiences.

A simple set up and you can have the devices personalizing things to your liking, which is infinitely better than those irrelevant Google Ads that keep popping on your computer screen.

We can’t wait to see how developers will integrate this technology in order to provide relevant content to users.

.Conclusion

With so many aspects of our lives that could use improvements, there’s no shortage of tech startups and companies ready and willing to capitalize on the Internet of Things.

Unlike a few years or decades ago where giant electronic companies were seen as the trailblazers, nowadays, smaller and younger companies are quickly giving the established empires a run for their money.

If this trend is anything to go by, then we can only expect the best from both worlds as time passes.