Skip to main content

The I-Switch intelligent, gesture-controlled shower head launches on Kickstarter

There are few — if any — innovations in the shower head industry groundbreaking enough to warrant one’s attention, however, a recent Kickstarter project absolutely falls into the ‘few’ category. Launched this week on the popular crowdfunding website, a novel intelligent shower head dubbed the I-Switch appears as fun to use as it is efficient. Featuring motion sensing technology which grants users the ability to change streams by waving their hand, the head also boasts perhaps the best feature native to any relative product: the ability to dramatically conserve water and energy.

A feature that is not the least bit a gimmick, the I-Switch shower head apparently cuts water use by an astounding 50 percent while in Mist mode. By making use of high pressure, Mist allows owners to reduce the amount of water used during a shower without feeling as though they are standing under a slowly trickling stream. Further, due in part to the fact the shower head operates solely off a hydro generator, there is never the need to change or charge batteries.

“Many families find that they’re paying a significant amount each month just to provide water to their home,” said I-Switch manufacturing company Huale on its Kickstarter page. “Since the I-Switch uses 50 percent less water in the Powerful Mist mode, imagine the savings this will translate to on [their] monthly water bill — in about one year, the shower head will actually pay for itself.”

And how about that price? Though early adopters have the ability to buy an I-Switch showerhead for roughly $133, Huale does offer Kickstarter discounted versions for just $159 once the early adopter specials run out. Compared to its future retail price of $268, the early adopter and Kickstarter discounted variations are wildly attractive.

Aside from helping users conserve water, the I-Switch showerhead also lets owners have a bit of fun with the thing. As mentioned above, Huale outfit the head with gesture controls which allow anyone showering with the device to quickly change the type of water stream just by waving their hand. One swipe changes the stream from Rain to Mist, whereas another changes it from Mist to Bubble — and so on.

Huale also made the I-Switch come standard with LED lighting capable of alerting owners to the general range in water temperature. Blue lighting signals the water temperature is below 80 degrees Fahrenheit, green means it is between 80 and 105 degrees, then red indicates a water temperature greater than 105 degrees. In other words, never again will anyone using an I-Switch hop into a freezing cold shower thinking it is already warmed up.

An innovative approach to a shower head, the I-Switch has already raised just shy of $6,000 with 34 days left in the campaign. Huale is hoping to reach its goal of $97,357 to bring this device to a wider audience.

Editors' Recommendations

Rick Stella
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Rick became enamored with technology the moment his parents got him an original NES for Christmas in 1991. And as they say…
This BLUETTI portable power station is truly weatherproof
Man using BLUETTI AC240 portable power station while camping to cook

It seems like we're covering a new BLUETTI launch here at Digital Trends every month, but that's okay. Thanks to the brand's excellent products, innovative advancements, and great features, people all over can access reliable power. Its latest launch, the BLUETTI AC240, is an IP65-rated weatherproof portable power station that delivers a comprehensive energy solution for outdoor enthusiasts, first responders, and beyond. Protected against dust, water, and elements, this expandable station creates an uninterrupted power source in any environment at any time. Moreover, it empowers users to stay connected, even with power-hungry devices, to tackle demanding tasks regardless of the current weather, environment, or location. Right now, you can save big by taking advantage of Early Bird pricing.
Buy Now
 
Why you should buy the BLUETTI AC240 all-weather portable power station

Imagine for a moment that you're camping with your family, hiking through the great outdoors, or even taking a long, scenic road trip through the countryside. In all of these situations, even when you're off-grid, you'll still need reliable access to power to charge your phone and tablet(s) and power up other electronics -- like a coffee maker when you wake up in the morning. Of course, power stations and power outlets don't exist randomly out in the wild. You could use your vehicle, but that will drain the battery and, in some cases, still won't provide enough power for what you want to do. Cue the BLUETTI AC240 portable power station and devices like it.

Read more
Snag this Roomba robot vacuum while it’s discounted to $180
iRobot Roomba 694 at Best Buy - WiFi connected robot vacuum

If you're on the hunt for robot vacuum deals because you think you need help from one of these cleaning devices to keep your floors spotless, you should head on over to Crutchfield where the iRobot Roomba 694 is available at $95 off. From its original price of $275, you'll only have to pay $180, which is an excellent price for all of the conveniences that you'll get from this machine. We're not sure how much time is remaining before this offer expires though, so you better hurry and complete your purchase while you can still pocket the savings.

Why you should buy the iRobot Roomba 694 robot vacuum
For its relatively affordable price, the iRobot Roomba 694 offers most of the important features that you would expect from a robot vacuum. It comes with a three-stage cleaning system that includes an edge-sweeping brush, roller brushes, and powerful vacuum suction. You'll be able to control the device through the iRobot Home app on your smartphone or using voice commands through smart home devices that are powered by Google Assistant or Amazon's Alexa. Once the iRobot Roomba 694 is done, or when its battery runs low in the middle of cleaning, it will automatically returns to its base station for recharging.

Read more
DeWalt Spring Black Friday sale: Power tools and accessories from $15
A DeWalt drill being used.

If you have grand plans for a major home renovation project, you need the right power tools to facilitate this. Fortunately, there’s a huge DeWalt Spring Black Friday sale going on at Amazon so you can save big on plenty of great power tools as well as accessories for enriching the experience. There are hundreds of options within the DeWalt sale so the best thing you can do is hit the button below right now and see what’s out there for yourself. However, if you want some inspiration of what to consider, keep reading and we’ll take you through what we love most.

What to shop for in the DeWalt Spring Black Friday sale
Seemingly every household renovation task can be made easier with a good quality drill. That’s why it’s a great idea to buy the which is down to $99 from $179. A considerable saving of 45%, you get a compact and lightweight drill driver which can deliver 300 unit watts out of power. Its high speed transmission has two speeds of either 0-450 and 1,500 rpm with a 1/2-inch single sleeve ratcheting chuck which provides tight bit gripping strength. It’s the workhorse everyone needs and is sure to last.

Read more