Let there be smart light: the hi-tech bulbs that can be controlled with your phone
Range of new bulbs can be programmed and controlled via smartphones, display a wide range of colours and save energy
The standard incandescent light bulb has long been the universal symbol for a bright idea. Ironically, one of the brightest ideas of these more eco-friendly times has been to phase out the incandescent bulb, as smart lighting has become synonymous with energy-efficient lighting.
Incandescents have a short life span and generate heat, while halogens are said to be 30 per cent more efficient but take time to warm up. But light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are instant, longer-lived and more versatile in application. They use 85 per cent less energy than other forms of lighting to convert electricity to illumination, so in terms of energy efficiency they are the smartest choice.
If energy efficiency is smart, remotely controlled lighting is even smarter. Control is not confined to a switch-on, switch-off command from a smart device - it extends to dimming and changing colours as well. And products and systems are becoming more sophisticated over time.
But how important are lighting innovations to consumers? The story of LIFX provides an answer. In 2012, it took just six days for inventor Phil Bosua to raise US$1.3 million on the crowdfunding site Kickstarter to launch his Wi-fi-enabled, multicoloured LED light bulb. "The light bulb is the greatest invention of all time," he says, "but it hasn't changed in 100 years".
A LIFX bulb has a lifespan of around 40,000 hours, and can be set to automatic dimming, and to display millions of colours using a smartphone.
Lumen by Tabu also recently used Kickstarter to add to its lineup of smart lightbulbs. Lumen Original is the Bluetooth 4.0 RGB (red, green and blue) interactive light bulb which started the product line, and it is now joined by LuMini and the Lumen Strip, a flexible, tape-style plug-and play lighting “toy” which can be used for a variety of creative visual effects.
