This smart lamp gives users a decorative yet unobtrusive way to stay connected with the people they care for the most.
Picture this: A grandparent touches a lamp. Immediately, their grandchild who happens to be hundreds of miles away sees their light change. Not only does this enable the kid to know grandpa is thinking of him, the child can also respond back by placing their hand on the device as well. Or perhaps, you have a partner in the military and want a quick reassurance that they are okay. The possibilities are endless.
With the rise of the Internet of Things (not to mention more grandparents moving to Boca Raton or Scottsdale), a new decorative light will be able to connect loved ones without ever having to pick up the phone. Dubbed Filimin, the gadget connects with other Filimins via Wi-Fi and changes colors when touched. Once this occurs, other lamps within its network will also match the color anywhere in the world at the speed of the Internet.
Filimins provide a simple, beautiful alternative to the noise of communication we all experience every day in our pile of emails, messages and seemingly never-ending social notifications. The smart lamps have one job and one job only: to reach out to those we care about without texting, reading or dialing. This is ideal for when you’ve got nothing to say and a simple gesture lets someone know you’re thinking of them.
How it works is pretty straightforward. Touch the Filimin once and it will glow one of hundreds of possible hues. Touch it again and the color will vary slightly. Continue tapping to find a color that best suits your expression.
Each Filimin is powered 32-bit ARM Cortex-M3 based MCU along with a wireless module. This convergence of technology allows the device to easily be configured and operate independently from smartphones and laptop computers. Meanwhile, the series of RGB LEDs embedded within each Filimin are capable of emitting millions of colors and are designed to last the life of the product.
“Since Filimin communicates with no words, you and the people you care about get to choose the meaning of your interaction. Maybe you want to tell your friend that you’re ready to meet at your favorite hangout. Maybe you want to tell your cousin overseas that it’s an ok time for a video chat. Perhaps somebody you care about is in the hospital and you want to let them know you are thinking of them,” creator John Harrison explains.
In today’s always-on-the-go world, it’s often difficult to keep in touch with those you care about most. What’s nice about tho smart device is that it could be a continuous presence, even in times that you don’t have time or anything to share. Sound like a decorative yet functional piece you’d love to have at home? Head over to Filimin’s Kickstarter page, where the team is currently seeking $50,000. Shipment is expected to kick off in December 2015 — just in time to wish your loved ones happy holidays with some festive red and green lights.
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