Home to some of the most imaginative and ambitious tech ideas, we pick out our favourite crowdfunding projects of the month from the likes of Kickstarter and Indiegogo.
Whether you want to build the world’s first hoverboard, an umbrella made of air, or a smartring, the likes of Kickstarter and Indiegogo have a captive audience willing to put their money where your mouth is.
Some have enjoyed great success like the Oculus Rift and the new Pebble Time. Others, like Ouya, perhaps not so much. As developers pitch ideas to a virtual equivalent of Dragon's Den, we will select five projects each month we think has the legs to get funded.
So read on to see our pick of the currently active crowdfunding pitches vying for your money.
Seen a great project we missed? Let us know in the comments section below
Sesame smart lock
The idea of a smart lock - a lock that can be activated using your smartphone - isn't a new one. Sesame, however, applies a couple of notable twists to this concept.
Aside from using the included app to unlock your door from your smartphone, there's a quirky physical alternative. This involves tapping out a special knock pattern on the door itself.
You can also tap out the same pattern on your phone in your pocket if you're being observed.
Another neat thing is the Sesame smart lock's easy installation. It simply fits over your inner door latch, and mechanically turns the mechanism - so there's no need to take it apart.
Sesame has already burst through its $100,000 Kickstarter goal limit two and a half times over, but you can still get on board for $89 (£57), which is a lot cheaper than the standard retail price of $149 (£96) will be come May.
Link: Sesame Kickstarter page
iTraq cellular tracking device
Smart tracking devices are ten-a-penny these days, but pretty much all of them utilise Bluetooth, which is inherently limited.
iTraq uses mobile network technology (it claims to be the first to do so) to allow you to track your possessions (or your kids) wherever there's a mobile network tower in range. So anywhere in the developed world, basically.
The iTraq device itself is a rugged credit card-sized slab of plastic with its own SIM card, though there's no monthly fee to worry about. It's also got a great battery life, lasting three years if you set it to report its location once a day.
Meanwhile, the iTraq app lets you manage multiple devices, showing them all on a slick timestamped map, as well as their battery level and report status. It also has a guard mode that lets you know when an iTraq device moves out of your vicinity.
Again, iTraq has sailed past its $35,000 goal many times over, but you can pick up a single iTraq device by pledging $49 (£32), or three for $129 (£84).
Link: iTraq Indiegogo page
iPin laser pointer
iPin is the perfect tool for business presentations - a laser pointer that plugs discretely into your iPhone's 3.5mm headphone port. It hardly protrudes at all.
The Android version is a whole lot more bulky, unfortunately. It's about the side of a USB key, and plugs into your phone's microUSB port.
There's an associated iPin app, too, which not only controls the laser function but allows you to flick left and right to navigate your presentation. Swipe up, meanwhile, and you can use your phone's display as a trackpad for your presentation.
iPin has reached its $10,000 goal with ease, and the earlybird allotment has been taken up. Still, $45 (£29) will get you an iOS version, and $30 will get you an Android model.
Link: iPin Kickstarter page
Evoz parenting monitor
The Evoz isn't just a baby monitor - it's a veritable toolbox for busy parents to help with seeing their little one safely to sleep.
It allows you to monitor your baby on your smartphone with a small camera unit, as well as to talk to them. You'll be notified whenever your baby cries, as well as when the room gets too hot or cold.
Evoz also acts as an activity tracker, recording what time your baby falls asleep and wakes up, as well as feeding and changing times. There's even a help section for parents seeking advice.
Unfortunately, the Evoz will only ship to the US at present, but no doubt that will change if the final commercial product is a success.
The Evoz has passed its $25,000 goal, and will be shipping in April. If you can arrange delivery from the US, you can grab one for $169 (£109).
Link: Evox Indigogo page
CogniToys
Sticking with child-friendly projects, but moving forward in terms of age range, there's CogniToys. It's a new series of Wi-Fi connected smart toys that can respond to questions.
Think of its as Siri for kids, only in the shape of a £65 green plastic dinosaur rather than a £600 glass and metal smartphone. We know which one we'd rather give to a mewling sprog.
Just press the CogniToy's belly, ask your question, and it'll give you one of thousands of appropriate answers. It can also tell stories and jokes when commanded.
Thanks to its perma-connected nature and IBM Watson supercomputer underpinnings, the CogniToy can improve and learn new tricks over time, and it'll also remember what you told it and adjust its responses accordingly.
If this is conjuring memories of that Krusty doll Simpsons Halloween special, you're not alone.
CogniToys has easily bested its $50,000 goal, but you can grab one for $99 (£65). It ships in November.
Link: CogniToys Kickstarter page
Did you invest in any crowdfunding campaigns this month? Let us know in the comments section below
