GENUINE mood lighting just took a step closer. A shape-shifting lampshade can monitor brightness and movement in a room and then gently adjust the amount and quality of light it emits.
Brainchild of London-based designer Assa Ashuach, the AI Light consists of a light bulb surrounded by a flexible nylon 鈥渟keleton鈥� that forms two lobes (pictured). Thin rods running through the centre of each lobe are controlled by built-in motors. They can rotate and bend to shape the skeleton in different ways.
More light shines through areas where the skeleton is spread out, while squashed regions emit less. So different combinations of rod position create a range of light quality.
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The motors, created by Sia Mahdavi of Complex Matters, a spin-off from University College London, start by randomly varying the shape of the lampshade. This produces a variety of different intensities of light at different times of day. The owner then needs to 鈥渢rain鈥� the software that controls the motors. They can press a button when they like what the lamp is doing. The software remembers the lamp鈥檚 setting and position at that moment, and uses sound, motion and light sensors, also on the lamp, to record the conditions in the room.
Over time, the software 鈥渓earns鈥� what the motors should do under different conditions. 鈥淵ou teach it how to behave,鈥� Mahdavi says.
Design and technology consultant Nico McDonald of Spy in London says that having to train the lamp could limit its appeal. On display at the Rabia Hage gallery in London, its 拢26,800 price tag might also put some people off.
