(Author: Judy Lin, Chief Editor, LEDinside)

Iota Labs, a company founded by five Berkeley engineers, is launching a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to finish developing Dot, the Physical Push Notification. The campaign will kick off in Aug. 23, 2016 and features a LED enhanced smartphone notification device.

Dot’s core technology has three main components: a Bluetooth 4.0 proximity sensor, an Internet of Things-enabled LED, and a community-based, open-source app store. 

Dot sending a driver notifications on his car. (All photos courtesy of Iota Labs)

In an email correspondence with LEDinside, the company co-founder and CEO Kunal Chaudhary explained the company is using one primary surface mounted LED for the device. “The interesting thing about our LED is that we have to diffuse it over a wider surface area than the LED encasing,” he said. “To get a nice circular glow from the Dot, we had to go through hundreds of diffusers and designs, everything from acrylic to reflective coatings.”

Dot’s LED can change its color based on user preferences. It can track reminders, medications, weather, stocks, food spoilage, energy conservation, etc. The LEDs act as an active visual indicator, allowing users to understand notifications at a glance.

Use Dot at work to be a persistent light for notifications you might otherwise miss during your busy day.

Utilizing Bluetooth 4.0, Dot provides precise location data to the smartphone so it can send contextual notifications based on where the user is based. At a price of $20, Dot ensures that you receive relevant information exactly when and where you need it most. All you have to do is download the app (iOS and Android) and place a Dot somewhere important.

When you walk in range of a Dot, the proximity sensor tells your smartphone to display context-specific notifications. The IoT LED light allows your smartphone to convey relevant information at a glance. Dot’s free app store creates a collaborative space for users and developers to craft and share solutions for a variety of use cases. 

Dot’s LED is a passive reminder; It allows you to keep track of things like medication.

A couple of examples to illustrate how the device works includes using it for digital post-it notes, where the device sends a message to another person, and their phone picks up the note when they walk into range. Contextual app launching also allows the smartphone open up certain apps that a person frequently uses in certain locations, such as opening up music App Spotify when a person is driving home. Other examples include location notifications, such as reminding a person to carry out a chore in the morning when they walk into the garage or kitchen. The device can also be used for smart home controls, such as turning smart LED bulbs on or off. Another friendly feature is its open-source JavaScript API that allows developers to quickly and simply develop apps.

“We are targeting both builders and tech savvy people,” said Chaudhary. “It's meant to be a more consumer oriented device, but still with enough depth for a tinkerer to make an impact.”

Dot can be compatible with different smart home technologies including smart LED bulbs.

Dot will be available for Kickstarter backers for US $20 per dot, and come with a battery replacement life of six months to one year.

IoTa Labs was founded in August 2015 is based in Berkley, California, U.S., and is part of The Citris Foundry, a high technology incubator backed by UC Berkeley. The company currently holds close to US $50,000 capital, and is in talks to acquire more funding, said Chaudhary.