AllBe1 Is An AIO, Open Source Personal Security Guardian

Indiegogo and other such crowdfunding sites are home to a large number of ambitious projects, hoping to pique consumer-investor curiosity and turn dreams into entrepreneurial ventures. Not all such projects are feasible, nor all such projects funded. But some projects do stand out of the crowd.

One such project that made us take a second look is the AllBe1.

On the face of it, the AllBe1 looks nothing more than a small capsule-like accessory, not larger than two fingers. On the inside, however, the AllBe1 features a number of sensors such as an accelerometer, passive infrared sensor, temperature sensor, range detector, and sensors for ambient light and UV. The device makes use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connections to connect to smartphones to do many of its features, acting like both a fitness tracker and as security equipment.

 

If you think the device is interesting so far, you haven’t heard of its most killer feature. The project will feature an open SDK to allow developers to make use of the device beyond the ways the founder team has imagined. The open nature of its platform, communication protocols, API/SDK and sensor data streams will allow developers to create apps and employ this little, forgettable gadget in a lot of creative ways. Even enterprise scale users are encouraged to use and develop the AllBe1. As regards versatility, the AllBe1 uses BLE connections as its prime medium of communication, so it will support almost all modern devices, even the iPhone.

Since the device is intended to be used as personal security assistant, it also looks kind of pretty. With the help of accessories, the device can be worn or placed in multiple ways, further enhancing the versatility of this small piece of tech. The device promises up to 2 months of average use on a single charge of its 200 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery, which is certainly impressive on paper.

TheAllBe1 also features a power amplifier for extending the BLE range of the device and has an IP 65 rating for water resistance. Unfortauntely, as answered in the Indiegogo campaign page, the device does not include a dedicated camera or gps sensor.

One caveat of the device at this stage is that it currently only allows one feature to be used at a time, so you will need to employ multiple AllBe1’s for different functions. The device is currently in its fundraising stage, having raised more than 67% of its $50,000 goal in just 6 days of its campaign, with another 40 days left to go. Production and shipping of the device is expected to start by year-end of 2015.

We’ve seen some really interesting things come out of crowdfunding sites, with a recent example being the Pebble Time. At XDA, we encourage all things open-source, and definitely support those that offer a more practical outlook to current scenarios. The AllBe1 is certainly one of those, and we hope to see the final production result of this project. If you would like to back this project, head on over to the Indiegogo campaign.

What do you think of the AllBe1? Do we need more innovation and open thinking in the way smart wearables are perceived? Or should we stick to the concept of wearables being companions of smartphones rather than being their own independent devices? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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