Don’t you wish that architectural lighting controls and digital media controls were as tangible, easy and fun to use as old-school guitar stomp pedals? I can’t even play guitar – or any instrument for that matter – but still have … Continue reading architectual stomp pedals
I came across this cool set of desktop physical controls called Monogram Creative Console. There’s just something very intriguing about the tactility, fused with the flexibility of snapping together various styles of physical controls and digital mapping for endless functions … Continue reading monogram creative controls
Protopixel is an interesting RGB lighting control system from a Barcelona-based startup. Beyond the normal dynamic lighting controls, Protopixel is building in some nice functionality for integrating live data inputs to control lighting. Also, I find it interesting to see … Continue reading protopixel
The future is dim for preset-scene lighting controls We are entering a future where architectural design and its associated technology systems are increasingly focused on experience management as the primary end-goal of many projects. New technology systems, such as digital … Continue reading media-driven vs data-driven environments
Lightact is a very interesting lighting and media control system. There are bunch of features baked into the system that are quite state-of-the-art, such as: Native 3D visualization Control of lighting, video and audio Real time rendering, particle and image … Continue reading lightact
If perhaps your hacked-together Arduino project is suddenly looking a little shy of “professional grade” in front of your client, and you need some seriously heavy-duty show-control and A/V gear, check out the industrial controls supplier Beckhoff. Beckhoff has taken their … Continue reading beckhoff
I’m unimpressed by the current hype-bubble surrounding IoT (Internet of Things) as applied to lighting systems. Anyone who has specified lighting controls, or has crossed over from the theatrical world, knows that all of the super-hyped technologies have existed for … Continue reading networked lighting control from the 1970’s: epcot center
Silvair is a San Francisco-based startup focusing on creating a lighting controls platform around Bluetooth Low Energy technology. The three year old startup just received $12m in Series A funding. Seems competitive to Casambi in many ways. I’m hoping all these … Continue reading silvair
Casambi is 5-year old venture started by two former Nokia employees. Casambi is focused on developing a complete lighting system around the Bluetooth Low Energy techology standard. As they write on their site: Casambi Technologies’ wireless lighting control solution is … Continue reading casambi
With the advancement of camera vision systems, digitally controlled light fixtures and IP-networked controls, architectural lighting systems are poised for tremendous application innovations. One example is as such: In a conference room, a stereo vision system tracks the number of … Continue reading responsive emotional control of lighting
Gecko Switch is a simple concept for a wireless switch to add on “3-way switch” functionality, plus enhanced app-based controls if you want them. I like how they are using “smart home” technology to first target a very basic and real problem … Continue reading gecko switch
amBX is a UK based lighting controls company that was “spun out” in from Philips in 2008. According to their site: amBX is radically changing architectural lighting through powerful control technology that eliminates the need for complex and expensive programming. … Continue reading amBX
Via YankoDesign,a design concept from Taewon Hwang. This level of customization for high-end residential clients is an obvious opportunity…I haven’t meet a single person who actually likes to use 5/10/15 button preset-scene style controllers. With small and cheap LCD touch screens, … Continue reading floor plan light switch
Aurora Lighting is launching a new independent startup called Gooee that is focused on creating an “Internet of Things” platform solution for lighting systems. I’m most impressed by the recent presentation from Aurora’s CMO Neil Salt at the 2015 Smart … Continue reading aurora + gooee
The potential of interns! Design firm IDEO challenged its summer interns to redesign ye olde light switch. Some very creative and impressive results followed in the “Let There Be Light” exhibition. Here is the PDF that documents the results: Let_There_Be_Light_Exhibit_IDEO Continue reading IDEO redesigns the light switch
A very interesting projection-mapping art project, which I find very inspiring as a possible alternate lighting simulation tool: …the projection-mapped installation by Ravensbourne University students Mike Alger, Ana Mickovic, and Jenil Buria. Projected onto a 3D-printed diorama, different videos and textures appear to transport a couple cuddling under … Continue reading miniature projection mapping
The large Integrated Systems Europe expo is a crazy mish-mash of professional grade audio systems, display technologies, video processing technologies, a smattering of lighting controls, plus a host of ancillary accessories and supporting companies. The show is held every year here in … Continue reading the future of architectural lighting experiences: integrated systems europe 2015
Introduction – The Next Evolution Part I – Connected Lighting In the next five years, the overwhelming majority of lighting fixtures and their controls will be connected to the “cloud” via IP-based communications standards. Let’s consider how connected lighting systems impact the lighting industry, … Continue reading the next evolution of lighting: connected lighting
The past year I spoke at several events about how smart industry standards are needed to open up second-level innovations in the lighting industry that are hard for many industry insiders to appreciate. Specifically, communication and data standards for lighting … Continue reading light + building 2014: building controls and visualization
Wireless , preset scene, Zigbee, blah, blah, blah??? Try this for the ultimate easy to use control system…as seen at Bosco, a cool local little bar in Amsterdam. Continue reading lighting control for dummies
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