UTEST graduate company building a versatile, smart, modular power bar

We’ve all been there: You reach over behind your TV to plug in yet another device to find your power bar’s out of available outlets. You wonder why your electricity bill’s so high and want to know which appliance is the culprit. You forget to turn something off (or did you?) and you’re already halfway to a meeting.

Knitt Labs, Inc. has developed KnittBar to solve these frustrating problems for those who are always on the go, need more flexibility in their power supply options at work or home, want more control and transparency over their electricity consumption, or who want to enjoy the convenience of smart home automation. In six days, the campaign has raised $50,000 from over 200 backers on Kickstarter.

Back the KnittBar campaign on Kickstarter.

KnittBar is a WiFi-enabled smart modular power bar that tracks, measures, monitors and controls electricity consumption at an outlet level. Like building blocks, KnittBar can be customized to fit your own needs by adding different modules and accessories.

Modules include:

• smart outlets
• smart USB chargers
• surge protector
• wall adapter
• extension cable you can place between modules
• WiFi repeater for that one corner of your house, apartment or coffee shop table that always has bad coverage

KnittBar connects with the Knitt mobile and web app, allowing users to view electricity consumption historically and in real-time. Knitt’s smart software has machine-learning algorithms that learn how you use electricity and helps you to automatically manage your usage, better reducing energy waste, helping the environment and saving you money.

KnittBar is also about making all your appliances and electronics smarter. Knitt’s software allows households and businesses to remotely control, schedule and set smart rules for when things turn on and off. Smart rules are trigger-based for things like ambient temperature, humidity, light, sound level, and more through KnittBar’s environment sensor module.

“We’re halfway to our goal of $100,000,” says Shuze Zhao, co-founder and CEO. “We’re using the campaign’s funds to access manufacturing components and assemble a cost effective large batch.”

Popular pledge rewards for KnittBar on Kickstarter include the early-bird pack, which includes a main hub, power cable, and end cap for $39. More complex KnittBar configurations are possible at higher pledge amounts.

If the campaign meets its $100,000 goal, backers will unlock stretch goals that include the WiFi Repeater, a Smart USB Type-C Charger module, Wall Adapter and the Extension Cable that can be placed between modules, making the KnittBar that much more versatile.

The Knitt software platform has an open API and integrates with IFTTT, HomeKit, Nest, Amazon Echo (Alexa), SmartThings, and other internet connected devices and services, making KnittBar seamless to use.

Specifications include:

• Customize it to your needs by adding many different smart modules and accessories to it
• Track, measure, and monitor your electricity usage at a per outlet level
• Remotely control individual appliances and electronics from anywhere
• Schedule and automate daily routines for when things turn on or off
• Create smart rules to better use appliances and electronics
• Get notified when one or more specific tasks have completed
• Get safety reminders for when you forget to turn things off
• Save money by better managing your electricity consumption
• Help the environment by reducing energy waste
• Integration into our lifestyles through different platforms and software making it seamless to use

An FAQ is available on Knitt Labs’ Kickstarter campaign along with product details, specifications, videos and photos.

About Knitt Labs

Knitt Labs is a Toronto-based tech start-up redefining the way consumers use and manage electricity with a patent pending Internet of Things (IoT) hardware and software platform called Knitt. Knitt tracks, measures, monitors and controls electricity consumption at an outlet and switch level. Knitt’s hardware is Wi-Fi enabled and can be used as an outlet of any kind, a switch of any kind, a modular system and power bar, a meter and even at the breaker level. Knitt’s software is accessed through the Knitt mobile and web app, allowing electricity consumption data to be viewed historically and in real-time. The software also enables households and businesses to remotely control, schedule and set smart rules for when things turn on or off.