Distance Lamps

If you don't know what "distance lamps" are, no worries. We're all learning here.

The concept is actually quite simple. In their simplest form, these are a pair of tabletop lamps with some sort of input (could be touch interface/buttons) that allows to change the color. The main feature here is that if the lamps are in sync, when you change the color of one lamp, you are actually changing the color of its counterpart as well. This concept can be expanded to many lamps, and some extra features other than changing color.

A simple Amazon search will flood you with alternatives and give you a sense of the pricing ranges. You can typically get ahold of a pair from ~80 bucks for the lower end up to 200 bucks for some of the most refined.

Why DIYing distance lamps?

The question is if you can buy them, why make them? Because why not?

I'll share some benefits of DIYing the lamps:

• Learning. This project involves designing, prototyping, manufacturing, networking and programming.
• Cost. You might be able to make a cheaper alternative than what is off-the-shelf.
• Customization. Adding the functionalities you please, don't settle for available functionality!
• Cool factor. If friendship lamps are cool, imagine if these were self-made!

Besides these, I wanted to do a project involving LEDs, diffusers (to take advantage of a DLP printer and clear resin), and a first project for the [relatively] newly released Raspberry Pi Pico W. Although a bit overkill, the Pico W's builtin Wifi connectivity and micropython development language makes it an attractive dev board for such a project.

I aim to control these using a simple element: an encoder. Although touch surfaces are cool, I find it amazing that such a simple control as a rotating knob can enable great functionality. The control functions will have to be cleverly implemented!

As usual, this is another project I'm doing on my after-work hours for sheer skills development. Continuing my latest project trends, I aim this to be as close as a commercial product in the means of usability, aesthetics and performance. I might make some shortcuts on the configuration side of things though ;).