The world of Kickstarter is a fascinating one, a place where anything is possible if you have a clear vision and a little ingenuity. Some ideas, like the Mine Kafon we feature, might save thousands of lives, while others like Robotive's smartphone-powered Robot, Romo, just happen to look cool. Of course, not every Kickstarter is created equally. Some come off like desperate pleas for cash to pursue a passion project, and others are just plain wacky or riff on someone else's idea. We've compiled a guide to the most bizarre Kickstarters created this year, from interlocking socks to combat kitchenware. And who knows, perhaps you'll get inspired to start one yourself.
Written by Jill Krasny (@jillkrasny)
Combat Kitchenware
Goal: $7,000 (received $46,261)
Funded: Yes
For the ninja in your life who cooks eggs over easy.
The Amphibious Red Couch
Goal: $250 (received $305)
Funded: Yes
Presenting the world's first bicycle pedal-powered Paddlewheel Pontoon Couch. Yep, that's a thing. Also: We're not entirely sure these aren't just some hobos who figured out how to use Kickstarter.
Appnormous
Goal: $15,000
Funded: TBD
Because if you didn't have enough useless apps crammed into your smartphone already, there's this.
Sokit Launcher
Goal: $10,000
Funded: TBD
Finally, the laundry gods have answered our prayers. Behold: Interlocking silly socks.
e1 Custom Balance Pen & Stylus
Goal: $7,000
Funded: TBD
Not gonna lie, this thing looks like it'll give you the perfect John Hancock. We're just concerned that our children will eat the brass weights.
Das Horn
Goal: $50,000 (received $83,743)
Funded: Yes
Nothing says "I'm down with antiquity" and using words like cornucopia than a well-designed drinking horn. Cheers!
The JoeyBra
Goal: $4,000 (received $10,346)
Funded: Yes
Behold the pocketed JoeyBra. Perfect for college co-eds who can't stop leaving their keys at the frat house and aren't sure which guy to Facebook.
Stompy: The Giant, Walkable Robot
Goal: $65,000 (received $97,817)
Funded: Yes
Screw moonwalks, we want a Stompy. Measuring 18 ft. wide—so wide a car could ride under it—Stompy might be the best science project ever. It was built in a makerspace with help from 15 students and three teachers with a knack for robotics. Its purpose: Show the world how to make things and generally be awesome.
Seed Money
Goal: $10,000 (received $46,982)
Funded: Yes
You know the old adage, money doesn't grow on trees? Planting Seed Money won't be all that different. But it will sprout a flower and looks sort of fun.
Limo to Diamond Lion
Mr. Ghost: iPhone EMF Detector
Goal: $7,000 (received $35,136)
Funded: Yes
For the weird uncle in your life who needs a ghost detector.
PhoneSoap
Goal: $18,000 (received $63,478)
Funded: Yes
So much for modern-day multitasking. All those times you made calls in the bar restroom, you were rubbing crap onto your phone. Next time, stick it under a UV lamp and charge it—with PhoneSoap.
Romo: The Smartphone Robot
Goal: $100,000 (received $170,034)
Funded: Yes
The Romotive team is back, this time to ask for help to build a smartphone-docked Romo "that can do the things robots do in the movies." You know, like roam your living room unsupervised and acknowledge your beautiful face. The press loves him, and truth be told, we dig Romo, too.
Skate Dinner
Goal: $6,000
Funded: No
Because if there's one thing the world needs now, it's another video game with food-shooting cannons. Actually, what the world needs now is a food-shooting cannon. Someone please Kickstarter that.
Corner of Your Eye: Four Systemless Horror Adventures
Goal:: $1,000
Funded:: No
The "systemless" bit left us scratching our heads, but that won't stop us from geeking out on the pulp storylines like The Can and the town horror tale, Old Habits.
6 Impossible Things That Are Totally Possible Posters
Goal: $500 (received $1,648)
Funded: Yes
The wisdom of Lewis Carol's Alice in Wonderland meets the gooey positivity of an artist in Spokane, Washington. We're all for self-reliance, just not when it reminds us of school.
Dream Weaver
Goal: $1,500 (received $2,016)
Funded: Yes
Apparently Sigourney Weaver is more amazing than we thought. She's also a LGBT icon. More power to her, we loved her body, er, work in Aliens.
Space Drone
Goal: $4,200
Funded: TBD
This might prove useful for bands in their White Album phase, but otherwise why does this soundbox exist. Cool effects for a playhouse production of Star Wars or a way to scare off feral cats? You decide.
Jet Vest
Goal: $30,000
Funded: TBD (but probably not)
Felix Baumgartner made skydiving look easy, but until the government backs this jet pack, there's no way we're strapping one on.
Tailly
Goal: 60,000
Funded: TBD
Remember that time in third grade when we prayed our spine would lengthen and grow into a tail? We take all of that back. Well, unless our girlfriend agrees to wear one.
Kindred Heart
Goal: $300,000
Funded: TBD (but probably not, c'mon dude)
Nice gesture, but please, just send your girl a Hallmark card or something. Or better yet: Get her a Tailly.
Drink Runner
Goal: $68,500
Funded: TBD
"A line-following service robot that delivers individual drinks in total darkness non-stop for up to 4 hours per charge." Chew on that for a minute, then ask yourself: Would you tip a cute robot? No? Okay.
RoBo 3D Printer
Goal: $49,000
Funded: TBD
Yes, we want a 3D printer. Yes, it looks badass. But consider the fact that the average person doesn't have a clue what this is or how to use it, and printing out a banana seems less than ideal.
1 Second Every App
Goal: $20,000 (received $52,039)
Funded: Yes
Cesar Kuriyama took a year off work to pursue his passion projects and now he's brought one of the best to the masses: Recording one second of each day for the rest of our lives via a smartphone app. Digital self-preservation has a nice ring to it, but aren't some days best left forgotten? No one wants to remember the day they got dumped by their "true love."
Mine Kafon
Goal: 100,000
Funded: TBD
A brilliant idea, albeit a tricky one to put into practice. Still, you've got to hand it to Afghan designer Massoud Hassani for being brave enough to get in to the mine clearing business. The weird orb just might save a life.