New app makes light work of lifting heavy loads

A new smartphone-controlled device capable of lifting heavy items - weighing up to 23 kg, at the push of a button has been developed in the US.

Users can control the myLifter device with an app on their smartphone and they can use the device to lift heavy objects despite its small size.

Each myLifter unit, about the same size as that of an adult fist, and weighing around 1 kg, makes it easy for one person to handle and install.

The device, developed by a team of researchers in Provo, Utah, is ideally suited for such tasks as lifting and storing objects like bicycles, kayaks, and cargo boxes, according to the product description on Kickstarter web site.

Additionally, users can install multiple myLifters together to raise larger items like a storage platform or Jeep hardtop, which can be synchronised within the app and controlled with a single press of the button.

Those not having smartphones and tablets for supporting the app could instead use remote control. The remote would allow users to pair with dozens of myLifters, name them and control them.

Each device comes with a built in feature called ''smartLIFT'', which allows users to programme a preset high and low point for each item to lift and lower to.

Once users set their high and low points, pressing the smart lift and smart lower buttons would automatically move the item to the preset high or low.