Startup enlightens with new smart light design
“This is kind of the future. It’s a different way of seeing light.”
That’s how Gimmy Chu, cofounder and chief executive of Canadian startup Nanoleaf, views his firm’s bright new idea — colourchanging LED panels that can be controlled from one’s smartphone.
According to CTV News, the Nanoleaf Aurora consists of modular smart lighting panels that are linked together and can be customized to suit any house, condo or apartment.
Included in Nanoleaf Aurora’s starter kit are nine energy-efficient triangular panels which snap together using the kit’s linkers. These can be hung on walls or ceilings. Once set up, the lighting changes of the panels can be controlled with a smartphone via Wi-Fi using voice controls along with platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Google Weave and Amazon Alexa.
“It’s the perfect lighting product for those who love design, for those who want to improve their quality of life, and for those who just want to add some fun and excitement to their living space,” Nanoleaf ’s website explains.
Nanoleaf, based in Toronto, was the brainchild of three University of Toronto students — Chu, Tom Rodinger and Christian Ya — who met while working on a solar car project more than a decade ago. An interest in making more sustainable products for the public grew from there. Now, says CTV News, their company employs more than 30 people.
Initial pre-orders for the Aurora have been snapped up, but Nanoleaf says more will likely be ready to ship in early November. The Aurora kit costs US$199 via nanoleaf.me.