Clipon

Clipon is a family of compact clip-on devices designed to provide modular functionality when attached to clothing or accessories. They are typically small, lightweight, and use a spring-loaded or magnetic clip to attach to belts, lapels, or bags. They connect via Bluetooth Low Energy to smartphones or other hosts and aim to offer a hands-free interface and sensor augmentation.

Typical Clipon units host a microcontroller, a wireless radio, one or more sensors (accelerometer, temperature, humidity, light), and a small power source. Some models include a microphone, a tiny display, or LEDs for status. They emphasize modular adaptors so users can swap sensors or add-ons. Some variants use magnetic charging or replaceable batteries. They may include tamper-resistant clips for security.

Used in professional settings for safety and workflow, such as workers wearing clip-ons that monitor motion or location; in health and fitness for activity tracking; in media production as wireless lavalier mics; in consumer fashion for notification indicators. They may function as a secondary control surface for mobile devices.

Clipon concept appeared in the 2000s–2010s as part of wearables and smart fabrics; production scaled in the 2010s with Bluetooth-enabled sensors and microelectronics. The ecosystem includes many third-party add-ons and manufacturers. Reception is mixed: praised for convenience and discreetness, criticized for battery life and clip durability.