The IR-Blue is an infrared sensor designed to slot onto the back of a smartphone. It was created by Andy Rawson, a hardware developer from Illinois. Rawson designed the device to help him check his 100-year-old house for insulation issues. The IR-Blue runs off of four AAA batteries and works using an accompanying (and free) app. The tiny box affixes to the back of your phone/iPad/iPod and instantly tells you the temperature of objects when the accompanying app is activated.
The IR-Blue can record temperatures as low as -4 and as high as 572 (Fahrenheit). The display’s color scheme can be changed and photos can be taken of the app in action, which you can see in its accompanying video. Spoiler alert: His project is fully funded!
What's Driving This Trend
- Smartphone Infrared Sensors
- The rise of infrared sensors that are designed to slot onto smartphones presents an opportunity for hardware developers to create more innovative devices that enhance the functionality of smartphones in unique ways.
- DIY Home Energy Efficiency Assessment
- The IR-Blue demonstrates the potential for smartphone infrared sensors to be used as a tool for homeowners to assess their home's energy efficiency, creating an opportunity for businesses in the home energy efficiency industry to develop more DIY tools for homeowners.
- Mobile Temperature Monitoring
- As smartphone infrared sensors become more common, there is an opportunity for the development of mobile temperature monitoring technologies that can be used in a variety of industries, such as healthcare or food services.
Who This Affects Most
- Smartphone Accessories
- The infrared smartphone accessory market is a growing industry, offering innovation opportunities for hardware developers and tech companies that can create new and exciting accessories for smartphones.
- Home Energy Efficiency
- The home energy efficiency industry can capitalize on the potential for smartphone infrared sensors to be used as a diagnostic tool for homeowners, creating new products and services that help homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
- Temperature Monitoring
- Industries such as healthcare, food services, or logistics can benefit from the development of mobile temperature monitoring technologies that utilize smartphone infrared sensors.
