This automatic umbrella won't let the world rain on your parade
I'm standing out in the pouring rain to prove a point. ShedRain's powered umbrella can help me stay dry faster than a traditional umbrella.
Called e-Motion, it takes the concept of a motorized, automatic umbrella — one that opens and closes with the press of a button — a step further. It also extends and retracts its stem.
With the rain pelting me like a fusillade of insults at a Don Rickles (RIP) performance, I remove the umbrella from its zipper case, wishing that part was automated, too, and press the up-arrow button on the handle. The e-Motion umbrella simultaneously springs open and extends. Suddenly, I'm sheltered from the rain.
The umbrella, which weighs roughly a pound (a bit heavy for a compact umbrella), feels sturdy in my hand and its fabric is black and substantial. I'm momentarily dry and happy. Then it's time to test how well and fast it closes. I do this while still out in the rain.
I press and hold the down button on the handle and the e-Motion umbrella just as quickly retracts. The umbrella is once again as small as it was before I opened it, except that the strap used to bind it up is just dangling there. I realize that, even with an automatic umbrella, you still have to touch it to wrap the thing up. Of course, I've never seen an umbrella that could handle that part of the operation.
Still, I'm impressed with the speed and utility of this gadget. It charges through a proprietary charging port -- the adapter is included -- and will, according to the company, be good for 150 open and close operations (that means 75 rain showers, give or take) per charge.
At $99, ShedRain's e-Motion would be the most expensive umbrella I've ever owned. On the other hand, the $10 umbrellas I've bought off street vendors usually last through a few storms, at best. e-Motion looks like it could have a good long life, save me a lot of fuss, and make me look cool in the process.
Now, can I please get out of the rain?
ShedRain e-Motion Umbrella
The Good
It's automatic
Fast
Well built
Good battery
The Bad
Heavy
The Bottom Line
I want this automatic umbrella.
Topics Reviews Mashable Choice Innovations Gadgets
Lance Ulanoff was Chief Correspondent and Editor-at-Large of Mashable. Lance acted as a senior member of the editing team, with a focus on defining internal and curated opinion content. He also helped develop staff-wide alternative story-telling skills and implementation of social media tools during live events. Prior to joining Mashable in September 2011 Lance Ulanoff served as Editor in Chief of PCMag.com and Senior Vice President of Content for the Ziff Davis, Inc. While there, he guided the brand to a 100% digital existence and oversaw content strategy for all of Ziff Davis’ Web sites. His long-running column on PCMag.com earned him a Bronze award from the ASBPE. Winmag.com, HomePC.com and PCMag.com were all been honored under Lance’s guidance.He makes frequent appearances on national, international, and local news programs including Fox News, the Today Show, Good Morning America, Kelly and Michael, CNBC, CNN and the BBC.He has also offered commentary on National Public Radio and been interviewed by newspapers and radio stations around the country. Lance has been an invited guest speaker at numerous technology conferences including SXSW, Think Mobile, CEA Line Shows, Digital Life, RoboBusiness, RoboNexus, Business Foresight and Digital Media Wire’s Games and Mobile Forum.
