InstruMMents 01 uses a laser to make digital measurements

01 is a measuring device unlike anything you’ve seen before. Called a “dimensioning” tool by its creators from InstruMMents, 01 is a pen-shaped instrument that lets you capture the dimensions of any object, be it straight or curved, and save and share them with others. 01 is built with a familiar form-factor in mind, taking the shape of an elegant pen with an aluminum body. The device also doubles as one, as it can take both ink and lead refills to serve as either a pen or a pencil.

01 can wirelessly connect to smartphones via its proprietary app, available for iOS and Android, that turns the phone’s display into a real-time measurement gauge. The software can also dynamically convert between metric and imperial units, and scale measurements, among other things.

InstruMMents is keeping mum on how exactly 01 does its magic, simply saying itthe device uses a “proprietary multi-sensor system”, but we know for certain that the dimensioning itself is done by rolling the device over the object/surface you want to measure. Measuring can be done with only one hand and for different purposes, such as fitting clothes, capturing the dimensions of rooms for redecorating, or even designing buildings, the company says. 01 is powered by a proprietary, non-rechargeable battery, which should last up to six months in normal use.

01 can also be used to measure rough dimensions without a phone. While a grid, or a distance interval, needs to be set up in-app beforehand, once this is done, the device can be rolled on a surface and it will blink at equal intervals, letting you know it’s been moved the preset amount of units. 01 can also be used for easily dimensioning boxes, as its proprietary multi-sensor system lets it know whether it’s measuring width, height or depth, meaning the measurements can then be automatically logged in.

01 is available right now on InstruMMents' official website for $149, and will be hitting select retail locations in the US starting December 1. The first 20,000 orders will include a free sleeve for the device, after which the sleeves will be available online starting at $29. Ink and lead refills are not proprietary, but are available on the InstruMMents website in three-packs for $16. 01’s battery is user-replaceable and the app reminds you when it’s time to get a new one. Batteries are sold online at $20 for a two-pack.