Design student crafts "Illume" LED display shelf

Need a way to spruce up the house, but don't quite have the coin for your very own talking mirror? Chris Owens, a design student at North Carolina State University, has crafted the perfect conversation piece using a common household item and LED lighting. While this was engineered for an assignment, the Illume LED display shelf has all the makings of a retail hit. The wall-mounted shelf has three platters which seem fairly typical -- until you place an object on them. Then each section illuminates as LED lights below are triggered by weight on the touch-sensitive panels, which makes putting things away -- especially glass or semi-transparent objects -- a bit more entertaining than usual. While an estimated price and release date is unknown, it seems safe to say that Chris has a bright future ahead of him (ahem), and if LED-infused furniture suits your fancy be sure to check out the Illume in action.

[Via TechEBlog]

[pcbb.david @ Jul 24th 2006 3:43AM]

looks like this is going to be a hit at bars. probably not so much for home use.

[wutang01 @ Jul 24th 2006 4:15AM]

Damn, I'd want one. Wonder how much it'll cost ...

OR ... how to make it yourself =P

[strayan @ Jul 24th 2006 6:14AM]

This bloke's got a lot of catching up to do:

http://www.i-bar.ch/index.php?id=85

[ocellnuri @ Jul 24th 2006 7:00AM]

Strayan, I was the first to admit that.

http://www.ocell.net/blog/2006/07/interactive-light-bar.html

I bet my budget was just a tad lower though.

[roscolux @ Jul 24th 2006 10:34AM]

As a lighting designer... I can say that although this is cool, it has been done many many many times before.

-D

[Smith @ Jul 24th 2006 11:54AM]

They forgot to mention that he was a FRESHMAN at NC State.

[LD @ Jul 25th 2006 12:48AM]

I think you should post instructions online like the MIT disco floor. Possibly team up with them to sell kits.

Reminds me of Michael Jackson's Billie Jean video.

[decorative outdoor lighting @ Oct 17th 2006 5:20PM]

These are really cool lights.

[Jeff Chan @ May 4th 2007 1:10AM]

Hey guys,

Found this site thatyou could prob use for LED light bulbs - if you want to make your own - panels/displays. They use regular screw fittings. I wonder if they have them in color....Most of them come with 48 LED's while the larger ones use 72-LED's so should be relatively bright.

http://www.eternaleds.com/our-online-shop/track-lighting---retail-shelf-lighting-replacement-bulbs-for-lighted-art-pictures_1/

[Tom @ Jun 26th 2008 6:58AM]

I could definately apply this product in many of our applications for our clients, without doubt very eye catching..
http://shopfittingsdirect.com.au/
Would go very well with general glass shelving and display showcase
http://shopfittingsdirect.com.au/shelving