Think of it as the 21st century version of the Clapper, but there's no acoustic sensor involved-and instead of clapping, there's knocking.
The Knocki, a hockey puck-looking, WiFi-connected gadget, aims to give people the ability to turn their walls, coffee tables, and night stands into smart surfaces.
The device is so desirable to the internet masses, it's managed to raise more than half a million dollars on Kickstarterin just over a week. The project was fully funded in about an hour.
The setup seems pretty straightforward. Creators say on the crowdfunding page, users mount the Knocki, download the app to link devices, and define the unique gestures associated with specific functions. Maybe two knocks on the door sends an alert to your phone that your guests have arrived, or three knocks on your night stand turns off your alarm. You get the idea.
Creators note on Kickstarter that the Knocki can also be paired with additional smart devices around the home. They also say it's able to distinguish taps and knocks from vibrations on the surfaces thanks in part to an embedded accelerometer.
Early backers of the Knocki were able to purchase one for about $60 with shipment expected this December.
A recent review of the device from Business Insider notes, while it does work, the challenge is finding purposeful uses for the device that couldn't just be accomplished using a smartphone.
