*The wink-to-shoot camera that puts what’s arguably the biggest feature from Google Glass into any pair of glasses is now headed to the United States. After successfully raising over $220,000 in crowdfunding in Japan, Blincam opened an Indiegogo campaign today to fund international distribution.
A sensor inside the camera watches for any eye movement that’s longer than a normal blink, Blincam says, then snaps a photo. Bluetooth capability then sends that image directly to the user’s smartphone.
The camera attaches to any normal pair of glasses or sunglasses with simple hooks. With an eight-hour battery life, the camera is designed to capture unexpected moments that happen throughout the day that would be gone by the time users could pull out a conventional camera or smartphone. The Blincam is also designed for getting shots hands-free (lest you be eaten by a dinosaur, as Blincam’s humorous promo video suggests).
“I designed this camera because you should see [moments like the first time your kid stands up] with your own eyes, not the screen of a smartphone. Capturing a moment should never get in the way of living it,” said Blincam inventor and CEO Shota Takase. The systems integrator developed the camera while he was an MBA student, after wishing he could capture more of the daily moments of life as a father.
The new company, based in Tokyo, Japan, says that the camera’s hook attachment also makes it easy to put the camera away in settings where cameras are not allowed or are inappropriate.
The Indiegogo campaign is looking to raise $30,000 for international distribution. Early backers will receive the camera at a rate discounted from the $199 list price, provided the crowdfunding is successful. The campaign will also help fine-tune the camera. The Blincam is expected to ship out to international backers in April, 2017.
