Wearables

DropShades: Sound-reactive sunglasses brighten up the party

DropShades: Sound-reactive sunglasses brighten up the party
DropShades are sound-reactive sunglasses with LED bars that pulsate in time to music
DropShades are sound-reactive sunglasses with LED bars that pulsate in time to music
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Early attempts at constructing the DropShades prototype led to minor injuries, one of which can be seen here
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Early attempts at constructing the DropShades prototype led to minor injuries, one of which can be seen here
DropShades are sound-reactive sunglasses with LED bars that pulsate in time to music
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DropShades are sound-reactive sunglasses with LED bars that pulsate in time to music
DropShades prototype
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DropShades prototype
Computer rendering of DropShades
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Computer rendering of DropShades
The initial brainstorming session with various pairs of sunglasses and electronic equipment assembled for sorting
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The initial brainstorming session with various pairs of sunglasses and electronic equipment assembled for sorting
The DropShades prototype as seen in public, with a volunteer braving a party while wearing them
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The DropShades prototype as seen in public, with a volunteer braving a party while wearing them
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If you're the person at a party who likes to be noticed, then donning a pair of sunglasses which react to sound may be just what you've always wanted. Such a thing now exists, at least in prototype form, with DropShades taking the Kanye West-style shutter shades design and adding multi-colored LED lights to the equation.

DropShades are regular shutter shades with some basic tech added to make them dance. A microphone picks up sound (which, at a party, is likely to be loud music) and a signal processor translates that sound into a pulsing cascade of lights across the front of the sunglasses. This has the effect of turning your face into a walking graphic equalizer.

The creators of DropShades currently have a working prototype and have launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds necessary to bring the glasses to market. A pair of DropShades will set you back US$30, but shipping is currently limited to the US and Canada.

The video below features the Kickstarter pitch for DropShades, with the prototype being tested at parties.

Source: DropShades on Kickstarter

View gallery - 6 images
3 comments
3 comments
Nantha
Cool! I can think of similar clothes to go with them?
LainieAnderson
Amazing that they actually pulse to the beat, my kids would love these!
Garrett Lajoie
These look awesome and I would totally wear them, but can you actually, ya know... see out of these?