Disney researchers are working on a cool new project called Linux Light Bulb that communicates data using visible light. If you’ve heard of Li-Fi, then you’ll know it’s not a brand new idea, but it’s a revolutionary one nonetheless. The technology can actually replace or complement Wi-Fi hotspots and cellular networks, within certain minor limitations. We’re talking about visible light spectrum (VLS) being swapped for radio frequencies to allow optical wireless data communications.
Visible Light Communications (VLC) enable LED light bulbs in a room to communicate with each other and other compatible devices. Toys, wearable tech, phones, temperature control setups, cameras and similar devices could be connected to such a system over the Internet Protocol (IP). The Disney researchers think its development will be very important to the Internet of Things. The Li-Fi market is expected to be worth over billions of dollars within the next few years.
But you see the small glitch in the overall idea, don’t you? The light waves cannot penetrate walls, giving them the disadvantage of having a much shorter range than Wi-Fi. At the same time, this means it’s more secure from hacking than a hotspot. Professor Harald Haas from the University of Edinburgh who coined the term Li-Fi, is the founder of the technology. In July 2015, NASA commissioned Light Visually Transceiving System Corporation to develop new applications for it.
VLC is said to be environmentally friendly since it has reduced energy requirements, while featuring almost unlimited data transfer capabilities. It communicates by switching LED light bulbs on and off within the space of nanoseconds, not something the ordinary human eye is capable of noticing. If you want to read the Disney paper on the Linux-based system, head over to this link.