tech

This Pen Will Autocorrect You If You Write 'Liek Tihs'

Instead of a slap on the wrist, bad spellers can soon get a good shaking up. The German inventors of Lernstift claim their digital pen can spell check words and curb sloppy handwriting — all by delivering some good vibrations.

By Sadho Ram — 16 Jul 2013, 02:36 AM — Updated almost 11 years ago

Cover image via

Lernstift - smart pen that vibrates for spelling mistakes

Lernstift has been designed to build a bridge between classic handwriting and the possibilities of digital technology, say its creators.

Image via geeky-gadgets.com

German inventors have developed a new hi-tech pen that gently vibrates every time it senses a spelling mistake or sloppy handwriting.

To achieve this, Lernstift operates in two modes — the Orthography Mode and Calligraphy Mode. The former comes into effect whenever there are spelling mistakes and the latter, during diversions in legibility.

Lernstift is a regular pen with real ink, but inside is a special motion sensor and a small battery-powered Linux computer with a WiFi chip. If it senses bad letter formation or messy handwriting, it will vibrate.

The idea for the smart pen came to Munich software developer Falk Wolsky while he was watching his 10-year-old son do his homework. The child was making small mistakes, the kind that would be preventable if he could just focus on his writing.

Users can choose between two functions: Calligraphy Mode - pointing out flaws of form and legibility or Orthography Mode - recognising words and comparing the word to a language database.

WACTH: Crowdfunding video of Lernstift

Unsupported video platform

Lernstift has an open API so that new applications for the pen can be built by developers, like new dictionaries for spell checking in different languages. The smartpen is available for pre-order through Kickstarter and is expected to be shipped in December.