Summary of VOICE CONTROLLED RGB LEDS GO BIG
Light[s]well is a large-scale, WiFi-enabled RGB LED installation designed by [Brian Harms] to demonstrate the aesthetic potential of LEDs beyond traditional lighting. Using an Arduino MKR1000 and NeoPixel strips mounted on a 4x8 aluminum frame, the project features a custom undulating diffuser made of laser-cut cardstock. It supports smooth color transitions and includes Alexa voice control via Arduino's IoT Cloud service, creating a cloud-like visual effect in a living room setting.
Parts used in Light[s]well:
- Arduino MKR1000
- NeoPixel LED strips
- 4 x 8 aluminum extrusion frame
- Laser-cut cardstock (74 pieces)
- Alexa voice control module
- Arduino IoT Cloud service
When we see RGB LEDs used in a project, they’re often used more for aesthetic purposes than as a practical source of light. It’s an easy way to throw some color around, but certainly not the sort of thing you’d try to light up anything larger than a desk with. Apparently nobody explained the rules to [Brian Harms] before he built Light[s]well.
Believe it or not, this supersized light installation doesn’t use any exotic hardware you aren’t already familiar with. Fundamentally, what we’re looking at is a WiFi enabled Arduino MKR1000 driving strips of NeoPixel LEDs. It’s just on a far larger scale than we’re used to, with a massive 4 x 8 aluminum extrusion frame suspended over the living room.
Onto that frame, [Brian] has mounted an undulating diffuser made of 74 pieces of laser-cut cardstock. Invoking ideas of waves or clouds, the light looks like its of natural or even biological origin while at the same time having a distinctively otherworldly quality to it.
The effect is even more pronounced when the RGB LEDs kick in, thanks to the smooth transitions between colors. In the video after the break, you can see Light[s]well work its way from bright white to an animated rainbow. As an added touch, he added Alexa voice control through Arduino’s IoT Cloud service.
While LED home lighting is increasingly becoming the norm, projects like Light[s]well remind us that we aren’t really embracing the possibilities offered by the technology. The industry has tried so hard to make LEDs fit into the traditional role of incandescent bulbs, but perhaps its time to rethink things.
Source: VOICE CONTROLLED RGB LEDS GO BIG
- What hardware drives the Light[s]well project?
An Arduino MKR1000 drives the strips of NeoPixel LEDs. - How is the light diffused in the installation?
An undulating diffuser made of 74 pieces of laser-cut cardstock is mounted onto the frame. - Can the lights be controlled using voice commands?
Yes, Alexa voice control was added through Arduino’s IoT Cloud service. - What kind of frame supports the LEDs?
A massive 4 x 8 aluminum extrusion frame suspended over the living room supports the setup. - Does the project use exotic or rare hardware components?
No, it uses familiar hardware like a WiFi enabled Arduino and standard LED strips. - What visual effect do the RGB LEDs create?
The LEDs create smooth transitions between colors, looking like waves, clouds, or biological origin. - How does the project differ from traditional LED home lighting?
It rethinks the role of LEDs by focusing on aesthetic possibilities rather than just replacing incandescent bulbs. - What range of colors can the system display?
The system works its way from bright white to an animated rainbow.
