Pruto: hands-free mesh communicator with real-time voice chat

Pruto wants to revolutionise the way you communicate while engaging in outdoor action sports and adventures. This is a hands-free device that establishes a mesh network with real-time voice chat and easy operation.

The project to make this product a reality is running now on Kickstarter. A pledge of $99 will get you a pair of devices which, if all goes according to schedule, will be delivered to your home in November.

The project is off to a flying start having raised nearly $140,000, towering above its modest $5,000 goal. And this is while there are still 18 days left in the campaign.

So why the interest?

The social aspect is important when it comes to sports. Wearable brands have recognised this and the likes of Fitbit, Garmin and others allow you to link up with others through their software. They also offer competitions, ranking tables, badges, challenges and more. It goes beyond the pure competitive aspect. Linking up with others makes sports more interesting and fun.

This is where Pruto Mesh Action Sports Communicator comes in. The device allows you to stay connected to your friends while enjoying outdoor activities.

But if you think it’s just a glorified walkie talkie, you’d be wrong. For starters, the thing has total hands-free operation – you simply speak and the device will pick up and transmit your voice to everyone that is connected to the network.

Even better, Pluto does not require a cellular connection or WiFi connectivity. It works via a proprietary network.

So wherever your adventure takes you, have comfort in knowing you will stay connected to your friends. A single mesh network can connect to up to 50 devices, and the range is 2500 feet (or 762 meters) across. The latency is small, the company says. Depending on the terrain, it ranges from 50-100ms.

Prior to your activity, simply bring all Pruto devices together, press the group button and you’re set to communicate. The connection is instant. There is a smartphone app that you can optionally use to customise your device and unlock more actions. This also allows you to tap into one-to-one chatting.

The sound should be good regardless of your speed or wind. The device houses 6 noise cancelling microphones and one high-frequency noise cancelling microphone. This is alongside the speaker and Bluetooth 5.0 chip for connecting to earbuds.

Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets

Pluto itself loosely resembles a hockey puck. Circular in design (60mm diameter, 15mm depth), it can be attached to pretty much anything thanks to the adjustable strap options.

Water resistance is IPX7 (works 1-meter deep water for up to 30 min), so you can use it in our out of water, come rain, snow or shine. A nice touch is the LED light option (80ANSI). Switch this on and Pruto will help guide you through the dark.

It certainly sounds like a complete solution if you are looking for a hassle-free way to communicate with friends while engaging in outdoor sports. Battery life is quite decent, too. You can expect around 12 hours on a single charge which should be enough no matter what type of activity you are pursuing. This can be extended to 3 days on standby.

Price: $99 and up

Raised:$138,407 of $5,000 goal

Estimated delivery: November 2022
18 days to go

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