Skip to main content

Super-effective alarm clock only shuts off when you leave the mattress, turns back on if you return

chipper alarm clock
Image used with permission by copyright holder
People have had a hard time getting out of bed ever since, well, probably ever since beds became comfortable. And ever since the invention of the snooze button, sleep-loving procrastinators around the globe have been struggling to wake up on time. But not to worry. If you’re the type who can’t resist the allure of an extra five minutes under the sheets, there’s a new gizmo under development that might just be able to solve your problem.

The Chipper Alarm takes a novel approach to getting you out of bed. Rather than letting you endlessly hit the snooze button, the clock actually forces you to get up. It’s equipped with a set of capacitive sensors that can tell when somebody is on the bed, so it won’t shut off until you physically leave your mattress.

Introducing Chipper

Now here’s the thing. This definitely isn’t the first alarm clock designed to make you get up and out of bed. There are dozens of alarms that do this. We’ve seen everything from clocks that drive off your nightstand and hide from you, to ones that won’t shut off until you go into another room and enter a disarm code. If you’re on a budget, you can just set up your alarm clock in the corner of your bedroom.

Related: Awesome alarm clock uses parametric speakers to wake you up without disturbing your partner

These solutions all work to a certain degree, but they all have the same flaw — once you’ve disarmed them, you can return to bed without consequence. Chipper doesn’t let that fly. If you get back into bed between certain hours of the day, the system will sense that you’ve returned to bed and sound the alarm again. There’s really no way to cheat it.

It’s still just a prototype at this point, but creator David Levi and his team are revving up to bring it into production. No word on if or when a crowdfunding campaign is in the works, but the team is hoping to spread the word at this year’s Maker Faire in San Mateo, California. In the meantime, you can sign up for updates on the project at Chipper’s dedicated website.

Drew Prindle
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Drew Prindle is an award-winning writer, editor, and storyteller who currently serves as Senior Features Editor for Digital…
How to format the microSD card on Tapo security cameras
The Tapo C120 out in the rain.

One of the most compelling features of Tapo products (like the Wire-Free 2K Outdoor Cam and Indoor/Outdoor Cam) is support for local storage. Many Tapo security cameras let you install a microSD card, so you don't have to rely on cloud storage to save all your videos – instead, they're neatly stored right on your camera. Before you can start using local storage, however, you'll need to format your microSD card. Tapo has some pretty strict requirements for how this works, but the process itself is remarkably simple.

Ready to start saving all your video clips locally? Here's how to format the microSD card on your Tapo security camera.

Read more
Blink Mini 2 vs. Ring Stick Up Cam Pro: Which is the best security camera?
The Ring Stick Up Cam Pro on display the 2023 Amazon Fall Devices and Services event.

The Blink Mini 2 is one of the cheapest security cameras you can buy. It's pretty well-rounded too. It's capable of filming in HD and offering support for outdoor use when paired with an optional accessory, making it a great choice for shoppers on a budget. That makes it wildly different from the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro, which carries a hefty price tag and supports both indoor and outdoor use right out of the box without the need to purchase a secondary accessory.

But is the Ring Stick Up Cam Pro a better investment than the affordable Blink Mini 2? From pricing and video resolution to the installation process and additional features, here's a look at the Blink Mini 2 and Ring Stick Up Cam Pro to help you decide which is the best choice for your home.
Pricing and monthly fees

Read more
Apple’s Vision Pro headset can now be used to shop at Best Buy
Screenshots from Best Buy's new shopping app for the Vision Pro.

Previous

Next

Read more