Vonkil Technologies aims to juice up your AA-powered gadgets by connecting them to your smartphone. The company launched a Kickstarter for their smartphone-controlled batteries called Battheads that are packed with features that promise to change the way we interact with our non-smart technology.

SEE ALSO: Apple Explores Geener Pastures, Looks To Replace Batteries

The batteries use Bluetooth to connect to phones – an iOS app is awaiting Apple's approval, and the company hopes to add Android support soon. Chris and Malte, the principals of Vonkil, demonstrate Batthead’s features in their Kickstarter video, like the ability to remotely kill the batteries, which saves power and allows parents to control pesky toys. 

One version of the battery also includes an accelerometer that can power up batteries when they are shaken or turn them off when they sit still. The batteries can also ping you when you are leaving their Bluetooth range, which is helpful if you forget them somewhere. 

The features are useful, but there are some limitations. The range of Bluetooth isn’t huge, so your phone has to be close to the batteries. The batteries can be used with other AA NiMH batteries, so you can use just one Batthead and get all the benefits, but since Battheads have lots of extra features, they may discharge quicker than the other batteries. 

Battheads without the controllable features are also available to pair with your controlled Batthead, but the prices are steep: a single Batthead with accelerometer will set you back $40, and a Batthead with a paired non-controllable battery is $75. 

The company is based in Vancouver, Canada, so for now, shipping will be limited to the U.S. and Canada. And as with any Kickstarter, making mass production and distribution a reality depends on pledges from early adopters and supporters. 

Batthead's Kickstarter is slated to run until Oct. 22 and has a goal of $137,000 CAD.

 

Reach Jenna Pittaway here or follow her on Twitter.