Wireless data from every light bulb | Harald Haas

[@NdifrekeEkim]

To everyone saying how impractical and inconvenient this will be, What is worse than living on a hill country and not getting good reception, or having to bring your Wifi router into your room to get a good connection? Yes at this time, it sounds inconvenient, but with more research.. Like the man said, the light can be made to look so dim that it appears to be off and you can still use it. I don't think you will need to be pointing your device to the direction of light just to get a connection as most of us knows the properties of light already. So give the man some credit and support him with good words of encouragement,

[@JohnChrysostom101]

What would you know we invented this over 100 years ago iirc you never invented the wheel lol

[@eugeniovincenzo1621]

How come I cant buy this thing its been 5 years...

[@mogi99999]

because the masses are hypnotized

[@EC-VyshnavMR]

Don't worry we will develop it soon

[@MdIftekherIslam]

what a fantastic innovation.... using light for transmitting data... wonderful idea... and its working already! wow!

[@Truthiness231]

One of the more important TED talks this year, finally something that will certainly change how the world works some day soon.

[@MrLiamovich]

for everyone who's saying this will never go mainstream just remember that people sayd exactly that when the internet was first anounced to the public

[@blackxthink]

+MrLiamovich But think about it... You'd need a light always facing your device and the moment you put your hand (or something else) in front of it... no more data. It seems impossible to make it possible other than having a light at home pointing on a sensor like he did there and then A router or something similar that will transmit without the use of light.

[@Neojhun]

I think this is the holy grale to internet connection. I played with light transmission in Uni from a friends project. He was transmiting sound in PCM @ CD 1.411Mbs quality over multiple colour led just as a visual demonstration of Channel / Bands. It worked very nice, but i never thought of using it as broadcasting. That idea of using it to broad cast is genius.

[@stormXviper]

This is perfect! I don't need to see email downloading mails, docs or photos while I'm not using it and stored in my pocket anyway. As soon as you open to see your smartphone, the transmission is quick to view them immediately.

[@JanKoci]

So if I have my phone in a pocket I won't receive an email?

[@essentialdang]

+Jan Koci I guess it could be used in combination with existing tech. So when your phones in your pocket it's using radio, but when you take it out it's using "li-fi"

[@JanKoci]

***** You are right - I don't care about billions of junk mails, I care about those important ones and usually as soon as they come. This thing is good for streaming movies or gaming or for servers but it can't replace wifi completely.

[@tetragrammaton111]

+Jan Koci I have worked with sales people enough to be able to tell the ones selling bullshit from a mile away. The way he phrases it: "The downside of radio waves is that they can go through walls and be intercepted", the way he talks only negatively about radio waves, without ever mentioning any of the very relevant reasons why they are one of our our main methods of distance communication, tells me all I need to know. Beware the snake oil. I can imagine small-scale local network implementations of what he is proposing. Hopefully we'll see some "Li-Fi" routers from this company, instead of chasing grandiose pipe dreams of replacing cell towers with a network whose nodes your device ALWAYS has to be in direct view of in order to send and receive data.

[@ryan17954]

+invalidusername So all the saving spectrum, energy and such means nothing, because WiFi is still the primary. Which means there is no need to switch to it for such a short intermittent use under one light beam.

[@mikescannell4575]

+Jan Koci you would if they built light adapters in your phone...

[@niau1538]

It is an OLD technology since I believe it is nothing else different than IR transmission (that can be used in darkness) which was used in every old mobile phones before Bluetooth, and still being used in every remote controls

[@MariusB86]

+Ni Au the data transmission speed is much higher on Li-Fi

[@marcellocapone4925]

Reading the news today, I sense this could be the next big thing. 10Gbit/second could lead to a new era of websites, it could solve the data discrepancy to the already existing 4k/8k panels, fewer wires, reduced energy consumption... and the list goes on. Imagine: Solar panel + LED + Li-Fi

[@shashiprakash4ever]

he deserved that ovation !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

[@AlimKhakimov]

Great solution. One thing he didn't address is how do you transmit data back from your device?

[@xtremegamer4696]

+Darie H Even if you have to buy a 20 $ light bulb just to get insane speeds in certain areas of the house where the network is needed, I could put one in my bedroom and in my office, and still see massive impacts where I need it the most.

[@xtremegamer4696]

+Alim Khakimov For the most part we all do WAYYYY more download than upload, So if I send a request via Wi-Fi and the request is delivered via li-fi I would still experience a lot more benefits from this technology. (note comcast in my area provides about 130 mb/s download speeds and 10-15 mb/s upload speeds. But I hardly ever cap out the upload speed unless using it for cloud syncing or uploading a youtube video. And if that is something you use on a frequent basis I would suggest going Hardwire over any wireless technology)

[@Krim04]

+Alim Khakimov It's really simple actually, granted most devices would have to become compatible with this new tech, which would render time for said tech to be implemented, but most device screens are back-lit LED... you could just transmit back via your device screen.

[@JazneoGaming]

+Alim Khakimov It call Li-fi

[@q009q009]

+Simon WoodburyForget You can send data through your power grid just fine. You can already get devices that do exactly that.

[@ratholin]

I don't see this becoming popular for a long while but the concept is so intriguing.

[@gulllars]

This is a great concept, but it has a few downsides not mentioned or reflected on here. You need line of sight to establish a connection, and hold that line of sight for as long as you need the connection. If you're not going for a one way information channel (broadcast or reciever) you need both a light source and a photodetector coupled. All "accesspoints" (lightbulbs with a photosensor) also needs a connection to the back end infrastructure. One alternative there is the power cables/grid.

[@wurakeem]

Very powerful idea with one major flaw: The data transfer is one-way only. In most examples shown in the video, there is one transmitter that acts as a data streaming source to any nearby receivers. The receivers themselves don't send any data (i.e. send light at the light source) and are therefore only consuming and not interacting with the transmitting light source. Compare that to a wifi network.

[@tiddlewink101]

Maybe light has already been transmitting information or has been used to do so in the past, and we were just not aware...Does make you wonder about the potential of the Universe :)

[@VeriousSmithIII]

+Steve Burt that and much more. Did you know light will transmit electricity as well? www.surrey.ac.uk/features/could-light-beams-transmit-electric-power

[@Patrick-jj5nh]

+Steve Burt yes sunlight probably transmits the information: warning - too much of me gives you cancer ;)

[@devonseamoor]

I think you're very close to what's actually happening each moment of our lives. When you consider the possibility that the Sun is a portal, a lens, transmitting data = info that is originating from the centre of our Galaxy. Light is life and consciousness related. What's at the beginning of Genesis? "Let there be light?"

[@AngerAndScience]

@Eleandorwins 1 Directionality isn't a problem when if you use lights that are in the ceiling, it only becomes an issue when using a lamp. A room bathed in light from ceiling lights has lights aimed at every point in the room. 2 Interference isn't an issue either. How does wifi work with multiple networks available? You see we already have this problem solved in the radio band, it is a matter of frequency, and there are a lot of frequencies in visible light.

[@timoffex]

This is a great idea, but how would the whole system look? Does it work over very long distances, and would a connection be interrupted if something moves through it?

[@kzh910]

One of the largest drawbacks I can see with this is that you have to have a direct line of sight with the light source... like he demonstrated, a simple flick of the hand between the source and receiver stopped the stream. Furthermore, every light bulb would have to have a connection to the data, so that is an additional wire for every light? I like the idea though.

[@robvh2]

One problem not addressed in this talk is the uni-directionality of the communication. Information is being transmitted to a receiver, but how does the device (a smartphone, for example) interact and communicate back? All of a sudden, bandwidth and security are issues again. As it stands, this would be good for broadcasting information, advertising (ugh), etcetera, but not for bi-directional applications.

[@21EC]

that tech is so futuristic! incredible! hes a genius for sure!

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

I don't see this going mainstream. Sure it can be used in some special cases, but there are too many short comings and inconveniences for ordinary people to use it.

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

hub23 Customer: "It's not working" Support: "Is your finger over the light sensor?" Customer: "I don't know it just isn't working" Support: "Is there a small child around that I can talk to?"

[@folamialamudun1915]

+MrC0MPUT3R Remember that every single technology that is mainstream today, has had to go through impossible odds. And we have had to adapt our lives just to make it work. It will only take time and a diverse set of scientists and engineers tackling the challenges one at a time. This directly applies that saying about the simplest solution being the most obvious. Didn't people once say the same thing about solar power?

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

Folami Alamudun Solar power is a bad example. There were technical limitations in getting solar cells more efficient. This is something completely different. We can make the technology work. We are already using light to transmit high amounts of data through fiber cables. For me the biggest limiter is that you have to have line of sight to the broadcast source. If people using wifi today had to be able to physically see their router and make sure the sensors on their device were never covered the technology wouldn't have worked. I think back to when Apple had issues with the iPhone dropping it signal because people touched the antenna. That's a huge issue.

[@folamialamudun1915]

+MrC0MPUT3R "Solar power is a bad example. There were technical limitations in getting solar cells more efficient." "I think back to when Apple had issues with iphone dropping a signal because people dropped the antenna." So line of sight is not a technical issue/limitation that can be addressed? You are projecting this technology into the future without at the same time factoring in advances and potential solutions to these problems. Some of the innovations with current technology (WiFi) had to solve far more complex problems, which the average person is completely unaware of. This is perhaps the problem of presenting anything half cooked to the public.

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

Folami Alamudun Solar power needed to be made more efficient. LiFi needs visible light to pass through solid objects in order for line of sight not to be an issue. You can't break the laws of physics. There are good reasons fiber optics and laser beams are currently used to transmit data using light. You need it to get to the sensor on the other end. Maybe this could be used in conjunction with WiFi to improve signal throughput in crowded areas, but it's a hard sell. As others have also pointed out, you're going to run into bigger problems if you want data to travel both ways over a light based system.

[@Dixavd]

I don't think this is the ultimate answer to things like this - but I am impressed with the idea that since visible light cannot go through opaque objects, one cna create a secure network that is impossible for someone else to get to unless they are in the room itself. We could also make systems in the reciever to unscramble messages so even people who the light hits are unable to read it (on an airplane for instance, paying for internet could give you a timed app that unscrambles the signal)

[@2661960]

Harald Haas appears to be extremely excited about this topic and probably with lots of reason. There is always a new idea that shines through and his definitely catches one's attention. I just hope I live long enough to see something like this working. Kind of gives a person a reason to want to live a long life!

[@majesticmewtwo7386]

Heyy

[@cwash08]

I just disagree with people saying this can't work. The only limitations I see is that people need LED bulbs, and they have to be "on". I don't think line of sight is a problem if they are always above us. This doubles as security. Light can bend too. If that still isn't convincing, then fine its your opinion but there are clever people who think of things you might have never thought of. There's no reason we shouldn't try it. IMO wifi could be replaced but not sure of other RF communication.

[@AngerAndScience]

@Eleandorwins 1 The demo was of a lamp less than a meter away from the receiver, I'm sure things would be different if the light was three of four meters from the receiver. I could be wrong. And of course a hand over either the receiver or the bulb would always block the signal. 2 All I was saying there is that we already have solutions for multiple EM signals. These solutions apparently have problems, but we have workarounds.

[@ADLNNEO]

I agree, all these technologies complement each, Wi-Fi for deplacement, Li-Fi for speed connection and specific places, standard cable connection, ...etc. the mean is that you'll be connected all time , with the best way!

[@cheetah219]

i think this needs a lot of fine tuning. such as your phone would need to be in the lights path and stuff. BUT its a fantastic idea, and this is definitely a good idea to bring us to the future. What probably makes this the most unique idea is that its SO easy to implement since lights bulbs ARE everywhere.

[@varunnegi7202]

The enthusiasm which he has for the subject is clearly visible!! ( pun intended) Panting through the entire video!! great idea. Hope to use it soon.

[@kovacskovacs3465]

You can transmit data using this tech in an enclosed environment, too. Inside a given device, you can house a receiver. Using IR light, which already boasts 1 gb/s, you can transfer data to the device. So, if a smartphone is in your pocket, it would easily receive the info. Also, using visible light may work just fine, too. However, you'd have to connect a light source to the data transmitting unit, or hard wire or wirelessly connect the computer to your primary source of light. The former poses an issue with light pollution, while the latter requires additional hardware.

[@marzsolt]

@AngerAndScience if you'd put the LED on your device it would mean that the same kind of receiver is needed at the side of the bulb...so basically you would need more tech than just a bulb in order for it to work. not to mention that the data transfer would only work when the emitter and receiver have nothing between them + when you have multiple devices it would mean a different bulb for every device.

[@MrC0MPUT3R]

I did this for a class in University. Only I was using analog sound data. I think it's a good idea. However, there are A LOT of drawbacks that need to be addressed. I don't see this ever replacing radio wave communications. It would be a nice supplement though

[@mog89]

@GTpoot Attatching a small led-light to whatever application your wish and voilà. You have yourself a device that can upload. The tricky part is really to place receivers so that it can track the light source and won't be blocked. I'm SO EXCITED!

[@joeguitargod]

No matter how you slice it, the implications AND applications of this technology is simply incredible! Certainly enough so to make the patent holder very rich indeed!!

[@vivifyer]

I found this TED video extremely ..illuminating.

[@mubie3455]

2011?! it's been 8 years... whoaaaaa.... i just found out about this...

[@ilostmypie]

upload tends to be much less data (excluding phone calls). you could use traditional means to upload data and this method to download (you arent limited by speed download)

[@quentinxavier]

simply brilliant idea... one additional point is that this new data transmission illumination technology is not to replace existing data communications infrastructure, but to complement what we already have to expand on potential applications.

[@roidroid]

the cool thing about it, is that you can focus it - to just look at one light (and therefore data) source. If you stand on a hill you look down and can possibly see tens of thousands of street-lights. If each of those carried a separate data signal, you could "tune in" to which ever one you wanted by simply using a telescope You could erect a tall tower covered in millions of separate little lights (each a different data stream), and the whole city could aim their telescope at it to "tune in"

[@TheThorns]

line of sight would be an issue, however this would be perfect for transmuting in a classroom, and I agree with the traffic application.

[@Radjehuty]

@ShawnTheTouched I'm glad someone finally mentioned this...I thought I was going crazy because I was pretty sure visible light is just a sliver of the EM spectrum compared to the longer radio waves...

[@hydrokat143]

what happens when you bounce it on mirrors?

[@roidroid]

@drche420 the technology in this video is visible light, and possibly IR. Not radiowaves (that's what we call "wifi", it's not really new and worth making a TED video about). it doesn't work if you stand between the lamp and the object you want data streamed to. it's exactly like a TV remote. it cannot send data through solid objects. So i'm not sure what you are talking about.

[@P00P0STER0US]

While not being the answer to everything, I can see how this might be a huge advantage in the right situations. If he gets much higher bandwidth with visible light from a system that can still transmit data below our visual threshold, that alone might be enough to sell the idea to a blue-sky thinker.

[@zangetsujoo]

Sounds like the biggest problem they'd have would be line of sight. That and he glossed over how big the equipment needed to translate between data and light and vice versa would have to be.

[@Nardypants]

@MrAMColes Light sources can be omnidirectional (a regular light bulb is, for instance). As long as your sensor gets a little light, it could interpret a signal.

[@gdutt67]

That was simply brilliant

[@JohnJackson66]

@ShawnTheTouched Those diagrams also use a logarithmic scale to make it easier to see the whole em spectrum. Visible light has a frequency which is 100,000 times higher than microwaves, which is where the extra bandwidth is coming from.

@majsbullen Not visible to humans, but it has the same limitations, like walls and obstacles that are in a room. In order to communicate across multiple rooms this kind of communication device would have to be installed in every single room. There is also a plausibility of unwanted access through windows.

[@florencioortiz180]

Amazing idea. Here in Bujumbura I have tough problem with wi-fi connectivity and hot-spot. This one would solve a lot of problems

[@slimlogic]

My ISP in the boondocks of Alabama sucks. I am in envy of this setup.

[@ardakarabocek4484]

why is this not avaible yet!! it sounds awsome!

[@Nardypants]

@MrAMColes Still, when you're in hilly terrain at night, you can see the safety lights on top of towers miles away right? Radio waves have their flaws the same as light. I do lots of hiking and when I'm in a deep valley or on the other side of a hill cutting me off from radio tower coverage, I lose connection! In town, we're always surrounded by light. And as the speaker said, you only need minute amounts of light for it to work. I actually can see this being really effective.

[@aixaazqadri]

you could setup a network connection with this, maybe even more than that but how would you connect to the internet. the connection to the router maybe lighning fast but what about the connection from the router to the internet?

[@ross817]

But what about transmitting the data back again for a two-way connection? How would you differentiate between multiple people using the same Li-Fi? Or differentiate between both of their signals?

[@Thimmet]

We want TED in HD!

[@Nardypants]

People seem to forget that you could have the equivalent of cell phone towers communicating with each other through directed light beams. Furthermore, light waves function roughly like radio waves in the air (with some distortion, but what can't be compensated for?) so you could have an omnidirectional light source being received without having to be directly underneath.

[@moorthyUT]

using the light scattering concept (like sunlight scattering free space and sense the light using solar photocell) to avoid the data transmission and receiving in all place at the day time, other session may use the Radio Signal to reduce the health problem.

[@AngerAndScience]

@marzsolt I was trying to be pithy, but yes you're right there will need to be receivers as well. And there will need to be get Internet signals to the light bulbs as well, which could be done using this technology in a daisy chain fashion, or more reasonably using a wired connection. And when installing the wired connection, one could easily install receivers. My point was simply that this was not unidirectional, that it could easily be made bidirectional.

[@herrdidi]

This is a really interesting concept. It could complement our radio wave communication, but not replace it. PS: I hoped at the end he would pick that guitar and start jamming.

[@Pianofy]

Line of sight is indeed a problem, but can also be used to an advantage. A bigger problem to seems to be: What if you shine two lights at the same receiver? If the receiver tries to detect the differences in light intensity, you can screw with it by adding another light source that is not constant. He did not mention any of this as a potential problem but I wonder if they left that out of the speech intentionally or have a solution for it. Also, TED, lower the volume of your intro and outtro.

[@douglascobb1604]

This will never become mainstream because there is no way to transmit data back. It will be hard to insure security if the communication is only one way. Also line of sight is an issue.

[@vain911]

+Douglas Cobb It sounds like it would be something...that would be used in a data center or industrial use.Of course I'm only a basic guy...

[@DigitizedSelf]

So... when he says that the infrastructure is already there, he means if we replace most of the bulbs and hook the circuit up to a signal processing unit? Can you even use the normal wiring or do you need to replace that too? (I'd expect you could indeed use the ordinary wires since the different fourier modes don't interact but perhaps not the whole of the wiring due to the effects of the different components). Safety might be better, but you still need the signal from outside for internet :-/.

[@recsund]

what beautiful way of communicating data, through light.

[@franklouuu]

Therefore, using light bulbs would only be a good idea for short range communications in places where those light bulbs are already working, like small rooms. We could make a small WiFi network with high data speeds using light bulbs. However, the advantages of doing so are minute, both in terms of power consumption and in the design of the receiver. It is much better to use radio propagation at 60 GHz for that purpose. Less power consumption, high range and lower size for the devices.

[@robertkodra8599]

I like that idea. You have make a good job. We have need to see something different from old technology!

[@StopFear]

Exactly what another poster asked, how does the data get into the light bulb circuit? And how does it get the data back to it. I understand if this worked to show tv where no feedback is required, but otherwise every device would need a led flasher to give data back.

[@Dms12444]

Hmm, an interesting concept. It will be interesting to see how they integrate the technology with existing systems. For example, when a phone is in your pocket, would it revert back to conventional RF communication? That said, this technology has enormous potential, and it's incredible to see things like Li-Fi already coming out only three years after this demonstration. Truly fantastic! #li-fi #technology #lightbulbs #led #communication

[@LjiljanaTatic]

ovaj sistem transmisije kroz svetlosnne zrake iz sijalica moze da radi samo ako nema fizickih prepreka kao sto su zidovi ili bilo sta drugo kroz sta svetlost ne mozze da prodje. Tako da, mislim da je ovo otkrice korisno ali radio talasie sigurno nece ugroziti

[@slx]

if priced right this is a viable solution for data centers. Less heat in server rooms = less ac, lowering operation costs.

[@divdac]

If only you commenters had a clue as to how many hundreds of pounds of copper every single office in every single building uses for data communication you'd understand how big of a deal this is.

[@geyoda64]

+davdavc Looks like you will still need those copper wores with li-fi. I dont see how the signal should move through different rooms.

[@divdac]

German Engineer maybe a transmitter at every desk? or maybe less pairs of copper per cable? Ethernet cables usaully have 4 twisted pairs. either way... saaavvviiiinnnngggssss

[@ashimiho]

+German Engineer maybe using a mirror. even a dim light can transfer the data. as long as a receiver gets the illumination, it does.

[@gowaps]

+German Engineer Well, you got light on every room, and almost every desk. You connect these lights to the network via PLC and it's done. Harsch part is to let the device connected when moving through space and changing of light (then data connector) A bit like GSM, when you move from a zone, you have a little disconection

[@JohnSmith-xf1zu]

davdavc - If only you had any clue as to the backbone of the office network. Most of the copper is used to travel through the walls. The few cables that are visible are just the end of much longer cables. Sure, one could use a switch to put an entire room of computers onto one cable, however it is often the case that cables are run to the switch room first. Bottle necks and what not. Also, Gb Ethernet uses all four twisted pairs for maximum speed, two for transmitting and two for receiving. Reducing the number of twisted pairs just reduces the speed capability. Also, removing the pairs for single wires makes each wire much more susceptible to interference as the twisting and pairing allow interference to cancel out at the ends of the wires. Perhaps one could use this for backbone hiding the light sources in the wall, but fiber-optics would be more reliable if these kinds of speeds are absolutely necessary. Not to mention that Li-Fi has the same drawback as infrared: obstruction equals no signal. Perhaps this could be mitigated on a stationary desktop rig, but it would still not be practical for a laptop or phone which needs mobility and flexibility of position. Even so, if anything passes over the light stream, instant connection loss.

[@GopinathKaruppasamy]

amazing technology needs more research on it for the commercial daily use products.

[@99maxa63]

This will probably never happen, at least not in public places since there are too many elements that can change the properties of a channel. There is a phenomenon called multipath fading (usually unwanted property of EM-wave propagation due to multiple reflections, scattering etc) and its pretty hard to control, so even if you make a system that keeps these effects under control, just some random person turning on a light source (like a flashlight) will mess up the data-stream and cause false data to be transferred. So, yeah... I don't see this happening

[@Xcerptshow]

I can see this being useful for certain situations mainly commercial(sensitive areas, large scale wifi replacement, ect). If they want to provide reliable high speed data then instead of wifi then lifi would be nice. I see a hybrid system being more effective. The bandwidth is the amazing part.

[@Longuncattr]

Hmm. I wonder if this technique would work with a receiver that has, say, an integrating sphere or hemisphere over it to diffuse the light and give the receiver a wider reception angle.

[@micsimus]

The standing ovation never really took off.

[@ThankYouESM]

Since 2005, I've predicted this type of Data-By-Light-Transmission would soon come about... but then when I learned much about quantum physics and how EEC can quite clearly image map the human brain, exchanging signals from a isolated charged atom via extreme vacuumed pressure seems to require very little power for the it to travel across and through vast distances. Basically... atoms in such a state, even as water, can detect a burst from solar flares in a near instant, way before it reaches just like an entanglement. Also, since atoms have an XYZ field of rotation, of over 100'000 bytes can become pre-assigned to what I suspect will be much faster than binary processing.

[@cristianbetegh3425]

The human eye can't see the fast on/off switching, but what about the pets, or birds on the street close to the lamp posts? Anyway i thing this might injure the eyes. And also, the light does not penetrate thru walls, but thru windows?... even if you are using dark, black curtains...

[@silvercoin1111]

beautiful, smart idea....when can I use it?

[@masonrios4713]

That was worth standing up at the end for :) Amazing well done

[@Saul1T]

and how exactly do you transmit the data back to the lightbulb? will we need a light sensor no in every lightbulb as well? you have multiple lightbulbs in the same room, with a minute time delay between them how does the device clear the noise of having several lightbulbs transmitting the same data out of sync? How do the lightbulbs then themselves transmit information to the web when the power fluctuations in power cables are known to produce far too much noise to send information along them?

[@zoki.to974]

this can be great for closed area, in homes or business or some public areas where you will use data transfer intentionaly. if you are walking down the street with phone in your pocket, forget this technology, you will never receive phone call or some important text msg or email... so instead of wi-fi router in your home, this li-fi can be great in combination with fiber optic network. cell phone usage will still require radio transfer, or you will never find your cell phone when he fall in in to the sofa...

[@andy4an]

wonderful. I love outside-the-box thinkers like this guy.

[@ShaunYoung]

@GTpoot considering if you're streaming video, the ratio of upload/download would require very low speed transmission on the receiver's part. Probably over a bluetooth type connection. (low range low data rate)

[@eluap]

TED, why don't you have one of your guests speak on the subject of "TURNING DOWN THE INTRO VOLUME"! All these brilliant minds, and you can't seem to solve a simple problem.

[@mukavelli]

Very nice idea, in some cases it would work, but it won't replace radio wave transmission data, the biggest issue that they don't mention it is how the light bulb is able to recive data, is not enough to just transmit data if you want to have a complete system for comunication. I apreciate all the people who invent new stuf, but they have to be a little bit more realist.

[@HackerL96]

You also need to equip every light with a reciever to use the light as a network...

[@MacoveiVlad]

@marzsolt you don't need multiple routers for multiple individual internet connections

[@WayoffTv]

it is pretty good. But like in a house you wouldn't have direct light all the time... you'll most likely have it a bit on the side or even something in between. it is very sensitive and it doesn't go through anything, just like he showed with his hand

[@Dixavd]

@dookiecheez we do - they are in lots of cars, there are even cars that are able to stop themselves before we are able to see, understand and respond to a problem. They are in lots of cars already - the onyl reason they are not standard is the huge price of them and the fact it would force people to have to get rid of their cars to get new ones that have it - but if you want that then you can easily buy a car with it already implimented.

[@RollingHousesUK]

Exactly. digital data is rarely only transmitted by one device and received by another (the only example that comes to mind is GPS devices), rather it must be receivable and transmittable by every device that uses it, otherwise it's useless. Also, the speaker touted the linear nature of this as a plus point (security) whereas it's actually a limitation (direct line-of sight required at all times). It's interesting but these issues need to be fixed before it has a chance at replacing current tech

[@wcperez]

this idea in the use of light to transmit data is currently done in fiber optics technology, an advanced technology over the IR technology. Yours is different since you don't confine these light into a close medium but rather broadcast it. the question is, how much would be the chip or total cost for LED light bulb to become a transmitter/modulator? and yes, if we will have 1,000 LED bulbs modulating/transmitting same data, how will the detectors react on this, ahhh... GPS should be added so the data will be in sync, similar to Digital TV technology of SFN (single Frequency Network). Then, if we can fine tune the decoders/detectors, these LED bulbs can transmit multiple data stream and will be selectable but the speed you mentioned is only 50 mbps? well enough for 2 ASI signals which are currently at 19.39 mbps, meaning only 2 channels. I have more to write but you can PM me

[@sangeetaraisane2141]

No words to speak..... I will only say that 'He is amazing'.

[@martincoton6623]

There are a number of problems with this, but one is definitely controlling signalling issues where you have two or more emitters in the same room. There was no mention of how they would ensure all emitters are synchronised.

[@yashotkarshmanitripathi3694]

i wonder how this lead signals can be transmitted like radio waves which can cross the building and tress and in other hand the led signals will be obstructed by even tress on its path. i think the solution will be to install transmitter at every location which will be similar to broadband connection which is not cost effective.

[@PhattyMo]

Older network hardware used to blink the status LED's with the actual data,so all a hacker would have to do is have visible access to that LED. But now the whole room is gonna blink? Also,this seems to be only one-way data transfer,which is not very useful.

[@syedsarhan]

This guy is passionate about what he's doing. I'm gonna trust him :D

[@jamiesmith4293]

Without net neutrality, we're developing Li-fi which he said can increase data-flow by 10,000% because of the size of the spectrum and speed of LED's. I'll be interested in seeing how Li-fi develops once the government takes over regulating the internet. Will it stifle it with restrictions, red tape, and wealth redistribution? Or speed it up with the efficiency, reliability, and transparency of the government?

[@MacoveiVlad]

@ApostateltsopA He actually stated that the light can be so dim that it appears to be off. And i guess a hybrid system can also work, radio for upload and light for download, especially with the move to the cloud the data sent is much smaller than the data received (at least that's what seems logical)

[@techkumar3829]

Its simply impractical for using internet. 1. He is talking about four things that lacks in radio waves but this (lifi) technology cannot replace the whole radio wave transmission system. What i mean is the interest will come from cellular networks that must be transmitted via radio, then we can use lifi to extend the network. Which means the Base station will still deliver the same speed as they are delivering now. And we'll have no increase in speed. So why should we use this? 2. No communication in no light area. Pockets, dark room etc. We always have to keep our device on hands. 3. Expensive installation, this is because of the additional microchip to the bulb and that will give us no increase in speed. There are other situation's where this completely fails... But yes this is a good invention and is suitable for some scenarios. 1. We can use this in a office to serve local files, and application from the office local server with great speed, because then we'll not need any base station. And we can have a clean and cheap transmission system right from the local server. 2. Similar situations like schools, colleges etc. There may be some corrections and modification done to make it fit for transmitting data for longer distances, like current radio system have. Then this will be a really great innovation. If we can have a satellite that works on LED's :D