Pint-sized cube captures real-world color and sends exact, matching sample to smartphone

The SwatchMate Color Capturing Cube is a niche device that allows users to capture all of the real world colors around them and have exact matches sent directly to their mobile device (iOS and Android). 

The tiny, hand-held device was created by college friends Paul Peng, Djordje Dikic and Rocky Liang. Their hope is to see it bridge the gap between real world inspiration and modern-day technological capabilities.

The SwatchMate Color Capturing Cube uses an inner sphere with a light source and color sensor to record the color of just about any object on this green Earth.

Specifically, the sphere contains the light source and color sensor, and there’s a small sample hole through which to capture color. A controlled sequence of light is shone on the surface of the cube, which is directed into the sphere and at the color sensor, whereupon it is then recorded.

This data swatch, if you will, is then sent via Bluetooth Low Energy to the user’s mobile device or Photoshop program. 

If SwatchMate is not connected to a device, it can store up to 20 color swatches locally.

To date, the SwatchMate Color Capturing Cube has won the 2013 Melbourne and Sydney Design Awards, and was shorted listed for the 2014 Brisbane Design Award.

It also ran a successful Kickstarter campaign, doubling its intended goal of $49,000 with a finish of $89,300, and hitting numerous stretch goals along the way, including the addition of a thermometer, wireless charger, and light intensity sensor to the device.

While an exact price point hasn’t been nailed down just yet, it’s expected to retail for around $120.

The group hopes to have it to consumers by June 2014.

Via Kickstarter.com