Makers, Are You Ready To Trade in Your Traditional Tape Measure For 01?

We heard whispers that the measuring tape, a necessary and staple tool that has been around for donkey years, is dead. Who doesn’t own the traditional gadget available in ribbon, plastic, fibre glass, or metal with familiar linear-measurement markings? Everyone does. Without much competition, change now comes in the shape of a writing tool named 01.

Described as the “world’s first dimensioning instrument”, 01 was an idea dreamed up by InstruMMents Inc founders Mladen Barbaric and Minkyu Choi. Carved in aluminum, 01 is contained within a pen, pencil or stylus and works by capturing dimensions of any object. Once captured it then offers the user the option to either log, convert or share the dimensions via their mobile phone.

Designed with a proprietary gear and magnet sensor system, the 01 reads rotation and revolutions to measure accurately. Buyers beware, when it comes to accuracy the 01 sensor is accurate up to 0.1mm. Unfortunately, the ultimate accuracy depends on the user, but the good news is that the company is working on solutions to remove the user error, but for now, users will have to live with some small human caused tolerance.

When it comes to key features, the 01 brags the ability to capture and label multiple dimensions. Log with picture, notes, name. Share via SMS, Email, make Facebook posts, convert units, convert scale and set laser blink interval. When working together with App Lite, the 01 rolls to capture the dimensions of any object, then logs, converts and shares through the smartphone. When working with Pro App the 01 rolls to capture 3D curves of any object, you share via smartphone, download to key CAD software.

01 is an essential tool for anyone who makes, whether they be designers, engineers, architects, tailors, carpenters and masons. Crafted for convenience, the 01 has a mag roller with replaceable ring. Working on a Bluetooth Smart System all you need to do to get started is to connect 01 to your mobile device. Designed with a pressurized, precision ink refill the device boasts a battery life that will last up to 6 months.

“It has the potential to become a creative’s go-to tool.”

Overall, we find the 01 impressive. It has the potential to become a creative’s go-to tool. What we love most is that 01 has the capabilities to dynamically convert metric to imperial or imperial to metric. It can easily do dimension drawings or maps at any scale. What this means is that whether you are a designer, engineer or maker you will be able to not only capture curves in real life, but you’ll be able to do this faster and easier then ever.

Having run a successful Indiegogo campaign that raised $438,198 USD in total, the 394% funded 01 will be shipping their gadget at the beginning March, 2017. Which means that the makers who traded in their traditional tape measure for a 01, can look forward to unleashing the much talked about dimensioning power in their creative world.

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