With AI entering spaces like televisions, computers, and even toothbrushes, it seems that the polarizing technology is even making its way into screwdrivers.
Over on Kickstarter, hardware maker Arrowmax successfully crowdfunded the Arrowspace S1. At its core, the S1 is an electronic screwdriver that, with the optional S1 Smart Case, comes with 52 bits.
It’s hard to launch anything electronic without a hint of AI, however, and the S1 is no different.
The S1 features a built-in camera on the bottom that uses AI to capture an image of a screw head. There’s also a “precision contact probe” to make sure the camera is at a proper focus distance.
The idea, according to Arrowmax, is to correctly identify the screw head and let you know which bit to use through a connected mobile app. The S1 also does this by lighting up the LED next to the bit in the S1 Smart Case.
From there, the S1 picks an appropriate torque setting to lower the risk of damaging the fastener. You’ll then be able to use the screwdriver for up to 90 minutes with the 600mAh battery.
As mentioned in the outset, the Arrowspace S1 blew past its goal of $11,470. As of this writing, the screwdriver has garnered a little over $150,000 in pledges from 886 backers. There are still 34 days left in the campaign, so it’s likely those numbers will grow higher.
Estimated delivery for the screwdriver and the S1 Smart Case is slated for April 2027.
As with any Kickstarter project, there’s no guarantee the S1 becomes reality. Arrowmax has used Kickstarter in the past and sells plenty of tools on its website, so there at least seems to be some credibility here.
Still, you would be funding a campaign, not a product that actually exists yet. As such, take everything from production updates to delivery “promises” with a grain of salt.
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