a smart umbrella, actually a pretty good idea

Kisha Smart Umbrella

a smart umbrella, actually a pretty good idea
a smart umbrella, actually a pretty good idea

 

Umbrellas have something sad over them. Mainly used in murky weather, the delicate umbrella is so easily damaged, forgotten and discarded.

Snatched from clinging hands or turned inside by almighty winds. Forgotten to bring back home. Tossed when not needed anymore. Missed during sudden rain. Cursed because it should have been brought.

All too often the umbrella ends its short-lived life somewhere in oblivion. Or wet and dirty in the gutter. Helplessly being subject to the first sweeping crew taking it out of our sight.

Luckily times are changing.

The Internet of Things is really catching up on us. After smart door and bike locks, water heaters, security cameras and self-defense devices there’s now a smart umbrella. While we can argue about the value of certain connected items, the smart umbrella actually is an asset.

Smart? That’s a bit of an understatement, it gives the somewhat forlorn umbrella empowerment. From now on your umbrella not only tells you the weather forecasts and when you’ll need it, it alerts you if you accidentally leave it someplace so you won’t lose it.

No more buying cheap-ass umbrellas because you will lose them anyway. A quality umbrella that ‘thinks along with you’ is here.

robust and aware
robust and aware

 

How does it work?

The Kisha Smart Umbrella features a built-in Bluetooth chip. Pair it with your smartphone and your umbrella communicates with you via your app.

It let’s you know the weather before you walk out the door so you’ll know if you’ll need it at that time or later in the day. But that’s not all it does. Kisha also alerts you if you accidentally leave it somewhere.

As soon as it loses connection, you will get an alert on your app so you’ll know where you lost it. You can set up safe zones, like your home or office, so it won’t keep alerting you when you leave it in those places and get reminded when you leave your umbrella in that restaurant, bar, the gym or library.

The Kisha is an umbrella with body, measuring 42.5 inches from tip to tip, so it’s not a tiny one, it is big enough to keep you dry on those rainy days. It is also made with 16 polyurethane ribs to make sure it is sturdy and it is 100% windproof and corrosion-proof. The battery lasts anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on use, so you won’t have to change the battery often.

Pros

  • Sturdily built
  • Let’s you know when and if you need to bring your umbrella with you for the day
  • Let’s you know if you left your umbrella behind
  • Nice size
  • Bluetooth connection
  • Works on both iOS and Android
  • 3 to 6 month battery life
  • comes with a 3 year warranty.

Cons

  • None.

Some might say purchase costs are a downside but we don’t agree. For one, 60 bucks is not terribly expensive as compared to a high end umbrella and secondly, an umbrella you won’t lose will save you money in the long run.

Preorder now at Kisha – $60

 

 

Last Updated on January 15, 2015 by Tyler