The Backed Pack: A smart leg band, voice activated light switch, & digital art frame

Each week, our friends at Backerjack bring us updates on how some of the most successful gadget crowdfunding campaigns.

LEO

LEO is a piece of wearable smart tech in the form of a flexible leg band. The device monitors all kinds of data including heart rate, motion sensing, and even hydration and muscle activity. If it detects that it’s time for a break, a drink, or an adjustment to form, it notifies the user in easy-to-understand language. LEO can help keep exercise and the body at peak levels, and even calls for an outright break if things get too far gone.

One of these smart leg bands goes for $184 on Indiegogo. The Indiegogo campaign has two weeks to go, but has already managed to raise upwards of $120,000, more than doubling the $50,000 goal. LEO is a great idea for people who want to get in shape without becoming a professional at one specific activity. Its goal is to keep people from hurting themselves or taking it too easy on the path to fitness, helping folks strike the perfect balance while working up a sweat.

Rocca

An alternative to smart lighting that must use an app, Vocca is a voice-activated light switch. The small white device screws into any conventional light fixture. Once in, the lightbulb then screws into Vocca. By simply saying the phrase, “Vocca switch light,” the device turns the light on or off. Vocca Pro allows for customization and the user can program up to five trigger phrases for the light using an accompanying app. The product itself is white and very discreet looking.

Vocca’s campaign started on July 30 doesn’t end until September 28, but has already surpassed its campaign goal of $40,000. One of these fancy lightbulbs goes for $39. With the help of 700+ backers, Vocca has raised over $55,000. With Vocca, simply remembering the phrase is all you need to operate the device. Anyone who’s been too tired to crawl out of bed after forgetting to turn off a light switch within earshot will appreciate this twist on the smart bulb.

FRAMED

FRAMED is a digital frame that allows the person to purchase and display a myriad of digital artwork. The frame comes in 24” and 40” sizes, several finishes and is compatible with many different file formats. Its image can be animated, stagnant or even interactive. FRAMED works with a free iPhone and Android app so that the image can be controlled remotely. The screen is HD and features a 180° viewing angle.

With just over a week to go, FRAMED has raised over $345,000 — well beyond its initial goal of $75,000 — with the help of hundreds of backers. One of these digital frames costs a minimum of $399 .We’ve seen a similar product recently in Electric Objects, a digital frame that displays artwork controlled by a smartphone app. In contrast, FRAMED allows for animated or interactive content, but is still clearly digital. These oversized digital picture frames is a way for people to enjoy all the art the Internet has to offer in their everyday lives without being glued to a screen