Startup Hiuni on Tuesday announced a self-titled smart telescope meant to bring one’s stargazing to the next level with the help of the latest advancements the technology industry has to offer. The gadget can find stars you want to look at automatically and even ships with a dedicated Android app meant to help you control it. The mobile app delivers what Hiuni refers to as a “Dual Live View” of the night sky and is a part of a solution that’s meant to allow for hands-free stargazing, at least in the sense that there’s no need to physically interact with the telescope itself.
Hiuni is launching through Kickstarter where it’s seeking to raise $50,000, i.e. find just over a hundred backers, with the basic pledge whose reward list includes the telescope itself sitting at $489, 59-percent down its planned retail price of $789. The startup says it will start shipping first units early next year, with the Kickstarter page of the campaign suggesting all devices will be delivered by June of 2019. As is usually the case with crowdfunded projects, backers will be among the first to receive the Hiuni smart telescope.
The mobile companion app that’s in development for both Android and iOS teaches STEM knowledge and is suitable for users of all ages, the company claims. The app can also deliver a live view of the telescope’s viewfinder and help users identify stars and constellations, in addition to providing them with various information about celestial bodies and patterns. Instead of an eyepiece offered by traditional telescopes, the Hiuni uses two image sensors specifically optimized for capturing the night sky. The project itself is meant to reinvent the centuries-old invention so as to keep it interesting for the connected generation, the startup claims. Besides the telescope itself, the basic pledge tier includes a storage case, battery, charger, and detachable standing legs, as well as a built-in astrography camera.
Hiuni Kickstarter Campaign