activeLIGHTcloud
borodda.com
The Active Light Cloud was conceived as an innovative approach to how we light the world of tomorrow. Using advanced computer vision that tracks any human movement against the basic static interior space, and inductively expands on that gesture to create an expanded field of pixel vectors, the system is able to predict the user’s particular lighting needs. Users can throw light down a dark hallway or bring a cluster of task light with a single gesture. Most importantly it knows to turn off the lights once the room is empty, dramatically reducing energy consumption.
In addition to the initial reason for the project, it has become evident that the work is relevant in a number of areas beyond that of lighting. Innovative in this system is the use of computer processed cameras to automate, indeed activate a designed environment that is responsive to the user. This is important as it brings us closer to thinking of the built environment as an intelligent, adaptive, and responsive platform for engagement. This work has spun off several new projects that I am now working on that further the notion of responsive and activated architecture.
The functional prototype of Active Cloud Lighting was developed in collaboration with SAIC’s world renowned art and technology professors, most notably Matt Nelson, Systems Programmer, Ed Bennet, Electronic Systems Designer, Anna Yu, Systems Production Supervisor, and John Manning, System Executive Producer. The system’s programmed intelligence can be extended into a wide range of commercial and residential situations. Light switches might soon be replaced by a wide variety of gestures, controlling the affect and impact of our interior lighting in more intimate, fluid, intelligent, and environmentally conscious manner.
activeLIGHTcloud
Schematic Diagram and Technical Data
The Active Light Cloud sensory intelligence is based on data provided by an over head camera. The camera then sends a live feed to a central computer running custom software that was developed for this project in collaboration with Matt Nelson (SAIC). This software actually runs a fluid dynamic simulation on the video feed. The simulation is a complex physics algorithm that allows for the Active Light Cloud’s unique responsive fluid- like behavior. The data at this point is then sent out to a series of small microcontrollers called the ArtBus.
The Active Light Cloud is distributed into the physical architecture it illuminates using a simple hardware communication system known as the ArtBus (pictured to the left.) The ArtBus was developed at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago’s Art and Technology Department, to encourage relatively inexperienced art and design students to expand their ideas into the built world. Called the Artbus, it uses a simple, clear protocol that is surprisingly powerful once you learn the communication language. Based on the same microchip as the very popular Arduino embedded computer, the Artbus comes in two flavors: digital I/O, which is used in the Active Light Cloud prototype, and analog / digital conversion.
The Artbus proved to be the perfect platform for the Active Light Cloud project due to its flexible and scalable architecture. In concert with the Active Light Cloud software application, the Artbus directs a symphony of lights that respond to our every movement.
This project would not have been possible without the unbelievable support and expert guidance from:
Matt Nelson, Systems Programmer, Ed Bennet, Electronic Systems Designer, Anna Yu, Systems Production Supervisor, and John Manning, System Executive Producer.
More can be learned about the ArtBus at:
Exhibition of Work
Milan, Italy
It has been great pleasure to exhibit the Active Light Cloud several times over the past year. The first exhibit was at Fabrica Del Vapore, Milan, Italy, in conjunction with Salone del International, Milan’s annual design show.
2000 Watt Living, Fabrica del Vapore, Milan, Italy
Chicago, IL
Making Modern
2009 Graduate Exhibition, Department of Architecture, Interior Architecture, and Designed Objects, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
2009 ACADIA Conference, The Art Institute of Chicago
(American Association of Computer Aided Design in Architecture)
The Active Light Cloud,
2009 ACADIA Conference, The Art Institute of Chicago
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