What does a 450-million-year-old land plant have to do with waking you up for work in the morning? Unless you sleep on the forest floor, probably not. Moss Echo is looking to change that, bringing ancient nature into the modern home with a pretty clever little gadget.
Moss Echo, as its name suggests, is actually growing moss. But it's more than just a mini garden: it's a useful home device that can keep time, act as an alarm clock, has Bluetooth connectivity for playing music and podcasts, and features a customizable LED display that can be programmed via a smartphone app.
Now, the star of the show is moss: a rootless plant that sits on replaceable moss filters that surround a network of LED bulbs. But Moss Echo isn't just a cosmetic gimmick: it's been developed by the team to act as a powerful purifier: the plant's tiny leaf-like structures (thallus) absorb pollutants and release clean air into the environment.
Moss Echo | Connecting with Nature
Moss Echo also comes with a number of nature-themed features, including a sleep mode that plays relaxing nature sounds to help you fall asleep, and an alarm clock that will similarly wake you up gently (don't worry, there's also a more traditional alarm in case you want to wake up suddenly).
If you've ever had moss growing in your garden or lawn, you'll know that these plants are extremely adaptable and hardy, meaning it will take minimal effort to keep Echo alive. Although this moss can survive for six months without water, we don't recommend leaving your little air quality helper without water. The developers recommend spraying this fluffy screen with water several times a day (a bottle is also included in the kit).
Moss filters are easy to care for, even if you don't thrive with traditional houseplants.
MOS Lab
But if gardening isn't your thing, the makers of MossLab offer replacement filters that click into the device's frame for an additional fee, and with occasional watering, your moss should stay happy and healthy for years to come.
The light pole technology that provides the display amongst the moss won't harm the greenery, and a study by MossLab claims it can increase photosynthetic efficiency by 20%, meaning the device can be safely placed in rooms that don't get much natural light.
The customizable skins (including cute animal animations and other settings) will probably keep you entertained for an hour or so, but there are some clever settings that make this clock perfect as a bedside clock: Sleep mode gradually reduces lights and sounds over 30 minutes, and you can tweak the duration of sleep down and what comes with it (visuals, nature sounds, sleep-friendly music). And yes, “Rain on the Roof” is in the library.
From the sounds of the forest to the gentle pattering of rain on your roof, the soundscapes are designed to lull you to sleep.
MOS Lab
For an additional fee, there are several add-ons available for customization, such as changing up the look with different wood or metal frames.
Debuting on Kickstarter for the first time, the Moss Echo will retail for $179, 40% off expected retail price. The package includes the device in white or black, a USB-C cable, and a nifty water spray bottle. The usual crowdfunding caveats apply, but if all goes according to plan, worldwide shipping should begin in November.
Source: Kickstarter
