Australian inventors create “the world’s smartest energy-efficient light bulb”
Residents of the UK that need to shop for light bulbs are well-served by the extensive range on offer from Ryness Lighting and Electrical (http://www.ryness.co.uk), despite the EU’s recent efforts to ban certain options and drastically restrict the amount of choice. However, worldwide light bulb technology continues to develop apace to cater for 21st century needs, as demonstrated by the creation of a new bulb by a team of Australian inventors.
Although there has been a movement in recent times towards energy saving light bulbs that last much longer and save significantly on energy costs compared to the now banned standard incandescent light bulbs, some consumers still complain about their higher unit price and a perceived lesser quality of light.
Although the new Australian bulb, known as the LIFX, doesn’t quite solve the former problem yet, given its whopping £42 price tag for an expected lifespan of up to 25 years – compared to the normal fluorescent energy saving lamps that can be priced as low as £2 and tend to last for about a decade – it does offer an interesting new level of functionality. The bulb can automatically switch on, dim, change colour and strobe, in addition to being completely controlled from a mobile phone.
Since the project’s launch on startup website Kickstarter, it has attracted a huge amount of support, with the company thus far raising £740,520, far beyond its initial aim of £61,000. The bulb not only allows the user to do everything from dimming the lights for a romantic night in to switching on a disco strobe for a party, but it also screws into normal light fittings and can be switched on and off from the wall like any other light, in the event of the user losing their mobile phone.
The idea was developed by company founder Phil Bosua with colleagues in Melbourne, before he then moved to the US to be closer to other technology start-up firms and seek funding.
In an advertising video for the bulb, Bosua said: “Traditional bulbs also use heaps of power and those energy efficient fluoro bulbs have that cold white light that we all hate. So I started thinking with all the technology we’ve got today, surely there must be a better way. I mean it’s not like we get up to change the TV anymore, so why do we still do that with our lights?
“Six months and more than a dozen prototypes later, we’ve managed to create the world’s smartest energy efficient light bulb.”
But of course, with LIFX or similar lightbulbs not yet in British stores, or for that matter available at a widely affordable price, in the meantime shoppers are likely to appreciate the widest range of best-priced domestic bulbs in the here and now. Ryness Lighting and Electrical (http://www.ryness.co.uk) takes pride in catering for these needs while also offering industry-leading customer service.