Portable Intelligent Assistive Lighting Unit Introduced
Cocoon Branding Press ReleaseFlashlightNews.org - 10/18/2006
Cocoon Completes Design & Engineering of Intelligent Assistive Lighting Unit
Intelligent Assistive Lighting Unit
WINNIPEG, Mb. - Cocoon Branding Inc. announces the completion of the design and engineering of Rooster Technologies’ self-activating assistive lighting device for wheelchairs. The lighting unit is the world’s first self-activating wheelchair specific lighting and employs Rooster’s new proprietary technology monitoring both motion and environmental light levels. The new product automatically illuminates in the presence of motion and the absence of light, and shuts itself off when either the unit stops moving or environmental light levels increase.
In addition to addressing significant technical challenges, the Cocoon design team conducted extensive research in order to understand the needs of the user. This research led to not only a new product, but an entirely new product category. The design process was guided by the Principles of Universal Design, which enable the unit to be usable by all people to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation of the original design. Future applications for the light include bicycles, baby strollers, and personal emergency lighting.
Inexpensive, lightweight, ultra-compact, and water-resistant, the 2 LED device weighs less than 25g and measures 33mm in diameter, 70mm in length. The innovative yet simple design offers an easily adjustable elasticized strap that ensures a secure fit to most parts of any wheelchair. Operating on two AAA alkaline batteries, the unit offers a continuous burn time of 14.5 hours at 24 lumens. It will retail for under $15US and is available in a variety of colours.
“Until now, wheelchair lighting was either big, bulky, and crude, requiring professional installation, or it was poorly-adapted bicycle lighting,” said Kyle Romaniuk, Cocoon Principal and Creative Director. “We set out to create a considerate product that could address the users’ needs and incorporate a sense of style. Assistive devices do not need to be institutional in function and appearance.”
Craig Alun Smith, Cocoon Director of Product Design, continued: “This was a great project. The client had only two requirements: design the best assistive lighting device in the world, and win us lots of awards. I don’t think you can ask for better client demands!”
About Rooster Technologies Inc.
Rooster Technologies Inc. is a Winnipeg-based company that was formed to design, build, market, and sell products derived from Rooster’s core technology platform. Rooster’s first commercial product is a self-activating light that activates in the presence of motion and absence of light and terminates when the unit stops moving or light levels increase. For more information on Rooster Technologies, contact Marshall Ring at 204.272.2403.
About Cocoon
Cocoon Branding Inc. is a Canadian-based branding agency full of creative people whose hybrid set of skills allows them to define and strengthen a brand across any medium. Since 1996, Cocoon has worked with businesses and organizations that represent a diverse range of industries and audiences. Despite their differences, our clients share one common goal: to define their corporate or product brand, and apply it to their advertising, promotion, and print, product, or interactive design. Learn more at www.cocoonbranding.com.