A Berlin, Germany based company now wants almost any developer to make apps for the Internet of Things (IoT), even though he may not know much about hardware.
Called the WunderBar, using its simple APIs, app developers can access data from the real world and make new apps. A product of relayr, WunderBar is a developer starter kit for building IoT apps, which comes with a sensor and software kit with the newest Bluetooth Low Energy (Beacon), WiFi, together with SDKs for iOS, Android, and Node.js and is packaged as a chocolate bar shape; i.e., “snappable” physical module chunks.
It has seven smart modules, three provide sensors to monitor temperature, proximity, light, color, humidity, and movement. A fourth helps users control their home entertainment system with an infra-red transmitter. The last two will be chosen by the crowd, says the company. All come app-ready straight out of the box within minutes.
The WunderBar’s main module is fitted with an ARM Cortex ‘M’ microprocessor, the big brother version, the ‘A’, is in smartphones. The microprocessor can connect to the Internet through the WiFi unit.
To communicate with the other modules it uses Bluetooth Low energy – that’s the same technology that’s used in iBeacon. It allows users to respond when a button is pressed, and light the LEDS that are on each module.
WunderBar is now in the process of gathering funds on crowdsourcing site, Dragon Innovation.
The kit can be used for building practical use apps like home monitoring, or just for a fun prank. relayr has given some examples:
- What if it were going to rain, and you were reminded to take a raincoat?
- On vacation? Program an App for your plants, to alert the neighbors when its watering time!
- Update your online shopping list when there is no more toilet roll.
- Never drink a cold coffee or a warm beer again! The temperature sensor can warn you before it’s too late!
- Save your baby rashes and yourself from the sniff test! Get an alert as soon the diaper is full, before the crying starts!
With the WunderBar ‘Hello Thermometer’ tutorial, you can have your first IoT app up and running in less than ten minutes. The company provides developers with the libraries, tutorials and examples you need to start using the sensors in your environment.
To “sweeten” the pot, so to speak, backers of the limited Beta will be getting a set of 3D Printed ‘Chocolate’ WunderBar casings. All we can say is, how wonderful.
Image Credit: relayr
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