Pen that vibrates on errors made while writing : Smartpen

The Lernstift digital pen points out spelling errors with a subtle vibration to help kids acquire better writing skills.Instead of a slap on the wrist, bad spellers can soon get a good shaking up. The German inventors of Lernstift claim their digital pen can spell check words and curb sloppy handwriting — all by delivering some good vibrations. The idea for the smart pen came to Munich software developer Falk Wolsky while he was  watching his 10-year-old son do his homework. The child was making small mistakes, the kind that would be preventable if he could just focus on his writing.  “My wife said, ‘I wish the pen would give him an electroshock or something to make him think about his spelling,’” Wolsky, 36, told Wired.com. “I thought, an electroshock wasn’t so good, but a vibration might work.” The dad teamed up with Daniel Kaesmacher, 33, to work on a prototype. Lernstift, which means “Learning Pen” in German, uses a tiny battery-powered Linux computer with a WiFi chip. A special motion sensor allows the pen to spot messy handwriting and misspelled words. The pen will “compare the word it recognized to a language database. If the word isn’t recognized it will vibrate,” co-founder Daniel Kaesmacher told ABC. Unlike other smart pens, Lernstift doesn’t require specialty paper. It also comes with three different writing tips — a ballpoint pen, a fountain pen, and a pencil. Right now, Lernstift recognizes German and English. The team is planning to roll out more languages and greater functionality as they gauge interest. After working on the project for a year and a half, the founders have started a Kick-starter campaign to help fund the final stages of development. Donors who chip in 89 euros ($116) will get their own pen when it is ready for shipping this November. When the pen officially launches, its market price will be between 130 and 150 euros ($170-$196). German inventors have developed a new hi-tech pen that gently vibrates every time it senses a spelling mistake or sloppy handwriting. Lernstift is a regular pen with real ink, but inside is a special motion sensor and a small battery-powered Linux computer with a WiFi chip. Together those parts allow the pen to recognise specific movements, letter shapes and know a wide assortment of words. If it senses bad letter formation or messy handwriting, it will vibrate, 'ABC News' reported. Users can choose between two functions: Calligraphy Mode - pointing out flaws of form and legibility or Orthography Mode - recognising words and comparing the word to a language database. If the word isn't recognised it will vibrate, according to Daniel Kaesmacher, the 33-year-old co-founder of Lernstift from Munich. The other co-founder Falk Wolsky, 36, had the idea for the pen last year while his 10-year-old son was doing his homework. "His son had been struggling with his work and staying focused and Falk thought there should be a pen that gives him some sort of signal so he stays focused," Kaesmacher said. After a year and a half in development, the founders have now brought Lernstift to Kickstarter to begin raising money and gauging interest.