Video: New alarm clock shreds money if you don't wake up

A new alarm clock could force even determined sleepers out of bed - by shredding money if they fail to get up.

The invention is a working prototype with a note perched on top of a powerful shredder - based on the simple idea that, “If you can’t wake up, you lose your money.”

The prototype is based on a DIY alarm clock kit from SparkFun, and was made by “serial tinkerer” Rich Olson, who makes DIY electronics projects.

“I figured turning the concept into reality shouldn't be too hard,” says Olson. The gadget is fully working, although Olson has no plans to sell it, with a buzzer to "warn" sleepers, and an electronic shredder attached.

Alarm clocks for the determined sleeper seem to be in vogue this year. Last month saw the unveiling of the the Nixie Ramos, which refuses to turn off even if unplugged - working from batteries instead.

It can only be turned off by entering a code into a keypad. The gadget will go on sale later this year.

[Related: The alarm clock for people who REALLY can't wake up]

Olson used a shredder, and a ClockIt self-soldered alarm clock to build the device, which he filmed working via his site.

Olson struggled to make the buzzer - the warning - and the shredder, which shreds a note placed on top if it is ignored, work at the same time.

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“I reconnected one of the buzzer pins - and the buzzer continued to work fine - freeing up a much needed pin,” he said. “About 30 seconds worth of code changes - and my alarm clock was working!”

Holt responded to visitors on his website and YouTube channel who suggested he might be prosecuted for destroying money, saying, “To all those saying the Feds are going to take me away - I'm not that concerned. The law does indeed suggest it's illegal - but there don't seem to be any accounts of it being enforced. Seems unlikely I would be made an example of for a single $1 bill.”