Researchers from Responsive Environments Group of MIT is developing an automatic LED lighting system which can self-judge the surrounding light intensity and continuously adjust the lumen output (by controlling the voltage input) of indoor lamps.
In this research, scientists decided to use LED lamps which are more easily controlled than other traditional lamps. This intelligent lighting system can detect the real lighting environment through embedded sensors. And adjust the light intensity and color balance through a small card-sized controller. With the help of the automatic LED lighting system, users can self-adjust the light according to their preferences.
In addition, central controllers can automatically calculate the penetration light from windows and nearby working areas. If surrounding light is sufficient for users’ daily life or work, LED lamps will lower the output light intensity to a suitable level or even shut off. Vise visa.
Is was proved by some experiments results, compared with traditional filament lamps and fluorescent lamps, this automatic LED lighting system can save approximately 65%-90% energy.
It has been proved by a research report (released by the U.S. Department of Energy in2009) that about 22% national electricity was used in lighting system in the past five years. Obviously, this energy-saving intelligent lighting system has great developing potentials. Researches from MIT hope that one day this system can also be applied on filament lamps and fluorescent lamps.
However, there are still some defects of this system: when the lamps in a state of motion, the embedded sensors need to be recalibrated, generating a series of scattered and various-brightness light. Mr. Aldrich, one of the researchers is designing a new automatic LED lighting system based on infrared LED lights and built-in infrared sensors, in order to solve this problem. “It is really a big challenges to us. Sensors for infrared light have no need of recalibration, but it is very hard to realize. We need to create more accurate and advanced circuits. ” Said Mr. Aldrich.
Meanwhile the research group is measuring the lighting reflecting rays in lighting areas, looking for a control method which can realize a brightness control through gestures. Researchers believed that lighting control without and switches will not be just a dream in the near future.