Have you ever wanted an assistant who could keep pace with you? When it comes to personal organizers, smartphones only go so far. Although portable, they require a bit of swiping and tapping to navigate. Additionally, taking pictures often requires one or two hands – an inconvenience when you’re trying to capture action shots.
PLEN Cube is a personal assistant robot that fits in the palm of your hand. It’s designed to consolidate your devices and web services making them simpler to use. In addition to helping users stay organized, it has a built-in smart camera to capture memories. As a camera, PLEN Cube is equipped with full HD image capture, face tracking, motion tracking, panoramic capabilities, voice activation, image stabilization. It also can rotate 360 degrees.
As an organizer, PLEN Cube aggregates the day’s essential information, such as weather, schedule, reminders, social media and more. By connecting the device to the companion mobile app, users can link their cube to a variety of web services.
So far Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter are the only supported social media sites. Users also can connect PLEN Cube to Bluetooth enabled TV’s, lights, speakers, and thermostats. While voice and smartphone controls are the primary mediums for controlling PLEN Cube, it also supports face tracking and gesture recognition.
To use the device users push a button and the device will come to life. The settings and configuration can be changed using the companion mobile app, If This Then That (IFTT), and the developer API. PLEN Cube is powered by an Intel Joule SoM processor, runs on Linux OS, is equipped with a 2.2-inch 320×240 full-color LCD, features a full HD camera, and has two built-in microphones. Additionally, the device has full range drivers, woofers and tweeters; infrared home appliance control support; and an electromagnetic field-based gesture sensor.
Developers can access the open API to take customization to the next level, while a community forum is in the works where users can share ideas and collaborate. Designers can customize the look of PLEN Cube using 3D data, and printing tips for the outer cover are going to be released down the road.
To date, the makers of PLEN Cube have raised over $69,000 via crowdfunding with an estimated shipping date of October 2017. Early bird pricing for the device starts at $349 which is $100 off the retail price of $449.
The first edition of the device will have a white top and black bottom, however, if the makers raise $150,000, they’ll also offer a blue and white option.
Charles Costa
Charles Costa is a marketing specialist helping technology companies grow, one word at a time. You can learn more at CharlesCosta.net
Having the ability to link up with IFTTT is a major feature. There are many channels there that are useful when it comes to a personal assistant and there are more added all of the time.
This is pretty awesome! Having the full range speakers is a nice touch for something like this. I am going to be doing more research on it and possibly be getting one as my first AI for the home.
Just another gadget that gets in the way on my desk 🙂
I am all for robots and AI and other things doing things for me, but I am not sure what I would use this for. There must be a need for it somewhere, but where? Even if the use is a single use and has to do with social media, I am sure it will get some use, but I do not see the long term plan here.