Housely
LED lights are highly popular because they offer many benefits over traditional lights. Most importantly, they are extremely efficient. This means they can reduce energy costs by over 80% with regards to lighting. As well, they are very environmentally friendly. These bulbs are commonly made from recyclable materials, which means they have less impact on the environment. They also function in hot and cold temperatures, and illuminate very quickly.
However, while a great deal of effort has gone into producing lights that are efficient, there are few products that are designed to provide people with the best experience possible. There is more to lighting that illumination, as light brightness and color can affect moods, sleep, and energy levels. Most lights do not address these issues.
The Licht 1 lights by Kien, on the other hand, provide all the benefits of LED lighting while using smart technology to enhance the human experience. These strip lights are built to be versatile in both function and appearance, making them perfect for any room.
Team
- Markus Mai is Kien’s lead designer. He uses the experience he gathered while studying Fine Art at the Visual Academy of Fine Arts Leipzig, 3D Manufacturing at Dick and Dick Leipzig, and Design Thinking at the Hasso Plattner Institute.
- Nils Lehnert is in charge of Kien’s product management and supply chain. He studied Economics of Natural resources at Universita Bocconi and Harvard University.
- Samuel Kress is charged with handling light development, and studied at Humboldt University Berlin and Technical University Berlin.
- Christoph Ingenhoven is the team’s mentor. He previously founded Ingenhoven Architects.
Partners
- Alex Skowronski is the team’s production partner, and studied Product Design at Bauhaus University Weimar.
- Senic Team is Kien’s smart home partner.
Timeline
The Licht 1 lights have been designed and developed quickly. The entire process is estimated to reach completion in under 2 years.
The first basic prototype for the lights was created in the summer of 2015. This was followed by a great deal of research and testing throughout the fall and winter, which led to the first system prototype being tested in the spring of 2016.
Over the summer, the Licht 1 technology was refined and improved. In October, the Kickstarter campaign was launched to raise funds. Throughout the fall, the final features will be added to the product.
In the winter, the final prototype will be created and tested. This will allow the finished product to begin shipping in May, 2017.
Thus far, the Licht 1 lights have received enormous support. With over 300 backers, the lights have nearly tripled their goal of raising 50,000 euros, raising over 120,000 euros.
Licht 1
The Licht 1 light is unlike any other light on the market. Its appearance is similar to a traditional fluorescent tube that one might see in an office, school, or many other buildings. However, the Licht 1 features LED technology that is more cost effective and environmentally friendly.
Even more importantly, the Licht 1 lights are designed to be a versatile lighting system that can suit any room. With a variety of pleasing designs and the ability to control both brightness and color, there is no design that cannot be complimented by Licht 1. It is an excellent way to create a relaxed mood, and its light is actually good for your health.
They are modular lights that plug into each other and can be powered by normal wall or ceiling outlets. This means that strings of the lights can be used to light an entire room while using only one or two outlets.
Technology
What sets the Licht 1 lights apart from any fluorescent tubes or other LED lights is its advanced technology. Most importantly, these lights have one of the highest available Color Rendering Index scores at over 90. This is a metric which measures how well a color compares to the color of natural light.
With this capability, the Licht 1 is able to produce light that closely resembles the entire spectrum of natural light, from the cool blue light of mid-afternoon to the warmer red light of sunsets.
In addition, by using LED lights, it is able to reduce energy costs by 80%.
App
While most lights are controlled only by a switch, or at best a dimmer, the Licht 1 can be controlled by Kien’s mobile app (as well as the traditional light switch). This app is compatible with most Android, iOS, and Windows devices.
This app allows users to control the brightness and color temperature of the light to suit their mood, room, and circumstances. Although it is very customizable, the app also comes equipped with pre-set options to make it simple and quick to achieve the desired setting. Lights can be controlled individually or in groups with the app.
Health
Not only are these lights versatile in their brightness and color, they are also great for a person’s health. This is because light affects important hormones that can affect mood, sleep, and energy.
The body has an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm. This clock determines when the body is ready to wake and be productive as well as when it should relax and rest. In the past, this rhythm was tuned with the sun’s rising and setting. Today, however, artificial lighting allows people to stay up at work and home, which disrupts the body’s internal clock.
The cooler blue light of the afternoon causes the body to release cortisol, a hormone that increases energy and wakefulness. The warmer light of evenings and sunsets causes the body to release Melatonin, which helps with relaxation and sleeping.
Licht 1 is able to produce color across the entire spectrum of natural sunlight, which allows people to use the lights to improve their sleep, mood, and energy levels.
Design
Not only are these lights built with incredible technology and equipped with mobile connectivity, they are also designed to look great in any room. There are three main designs to choose from.
The aluminum design features a colorful powdered texture. Buyers can choose from black, blue, red, and white finishes, all of which are clean and stunning.
There is also a wood design, which offers the choice between oak and walnut. This provides a warm, sophisticated look.
The third design is concrete, which offers a striking and unique appeal.
Licht 1 lights come in several lengths. The smallest is perfect for lighting a desk or table, the medium is great for smaller rooms, and the largest is suited for large rooms. The lights are not only customizable; they are bright as well. The largest length offers just under 5000 lumen to brighten up any room.
As well, the lights are very thin, with a diameter under 4.5 cm.
Price
The smallest Licht 1 can be purchased for $430 while the medium length can be purchased for $525 and the largest for $652. These are discounted prices on Kickstarter which are selling quickly. There are also bundles offered on Kickstarter.
Length
- Small: 60 cm
- Medium: 100 cm
- Large: 140 cm
Finish
- Aluminum
- Wood (oak and walnut)
- Concrete
Compatibility
- Android, iOS, Windows
- Bluetooth 4.0
Technology
- Voltage: 100 – 240 V
- Frequency: 50/60 Hz
- Color Rendering Index: 90+
- Color Temperature: 2700 – 5000 Kelvin
Conclusion
The Licht 1 is in a league of its own because it combines the best technology, usability, and design to form a light that is perfect for any room. With a user-friendly app that can control the brightness and color temperature of the light, this product can be used to improve productivity and sleep quality as well as brighten any room.
Anyone looking for a versatile, simple, and efficient lighting system, the Kien Licht 1 is the perfect choice.
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