i-Brix: Wireless Lighting System
Posted by Huw,
As I've noted before, crowdfunding sites seem to be awash with LEGO-related projects these days and they are a great way to bring niche products to the market.
The i-Brix wireless lighting system currently on Kickstarter is a particularly interesting project because it solves the problem that always arises when adding lights, either official or custom, to your models: how to route, and hide, the electrical cables.
Here's the description of how it works: "In concept, it’s pretty simple – for a new setup you’ll need a Power Plate which can go underneath your building surface. Then you simply add the i-Brix Lit Brix units and place those above the Power Plate. Since the power is able to transmit through plastic surfaces, it can be concealed underneath your LEGO plates without taking away from the appearance of the system.
"Now, we haven't invented the concept of wireless power - Nikola Tesla is given most of the credit for this amazing wonder from years ago. However, we have refined the process to make it work on a very small scale. When you take into consideration just how small our wireless LED receivers are, it's simply amazing! We've fit a wireless receiver and LED into a space that's only 8mm square. "
From the examples shown it looks as if it works very well and I shall be pledging. The target is pretty high -- $130,000 with just $6000 pledged so far, with 23 days to go. But, with your help, hopefully it will make it. So, please pledge now!
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25 comments on this article
Pledged. Substantially. This is exactly what I need masses of for my LEGO layout. Thank you Huw for the article. I have contacted the guy and will make every effort I can to help promote this. This product could bring so much life to so many LEGO MOCs & layouts around the world that I almost can't see straight, it's just so exciting.
I don't know, $130,000 look like an ambitious target for a project like that. I'd be surprised if he reach even half of that. And at $25 for just 4 bricks, not so cheap
@CCC: Totally agree. Great idea, but unless there's an EU-friendly shipping, with costs known upfront it's a no-go.
Hmm.. Doesn't look too bad but I'd like to see trans-clear minifig heads being used so they can be put in the street lamp posts that are in modular sets. I suppose you do have to start somewhere though.
I'm been thinking (design/manufacture) about a commercial LED solution for some time, it's on my to-do list. However, this is a very cool solution. As much as I admire the project, I think they'll have trouble reaching $130k. Good luck to them though, I hope they make it.
It is a bit expensive if you've got a large town or railway layout though. That'd cost hundreds of dollars to illuminate. I think the price alone puts it out of the reach of all but the most dedicated builders.
$25 would buy you thousands of high brightness LEDs and wire :)
( @theJANG, I'm a big fan of your YouTube channel!)
This would make a great product for Lego to buy out and take in house and then install either in sets or sell as expansion packs. They must have a lot of money sitting around that they aren't spending on the website functionality.
$130 000 may be too little to get licensing deal with LEGO. They have to approve it first.
I'd love a solution like this! Wonder how high you could go above the surface (cm)? Maybe they could make a power relay element that extends the height of the power plate. It would work just like a wifi repeater. No idea if this is even possible. :)
It looks like you cannot get more than maybe one modular building floor away from the base plate, at least they don't show anything further away than that. It would be interesting to see the limits, e.g., whether a typical modular can be lighted completely by this.
We think it's a great idea and have backed at the max level as every little helps! We've also been in contact to distribute in the UK and the rest of Europe, if it does become a reality.
I posted abut this product on Eurobrick Forum, and the total pledged jumped up, thanks for posting it here too, need to get the word out how nice an idea it is. It is a lofty goal, and time is running out! I pledged too.
I'll be backing this ! Brilliant solution. Just what we need for the ferris wheel !!!!
@ jorenmartijn: apparently some backer options come with 'booster plates' that allows you to extend the functional area, horizontally and vertically.
Overall, this idea is so amazingly player friendly and elegant compared with the old 9V system that I can't imagine why TLG would not want to use it for official sets.
Don't care about the additional international costs. As soon as it looks like it will reach the goal, I'm backing it for 100 euro at least.
How simple, elegant and fantastic. I have no desire to fool around with wires and LEDs and would not put holes in my Lego bricks, but everyone wants to light up their fabulous layouts. Pledged.
@rolek Why would they need licensing and approval from LEGO? This isn't being advertised as a LEGO product, just one that is LEGO-compatible. Plus it's not something that LEGO already makes, so it doesn't infringe on intellectual property.
$130,000 is a pretty ambitious goal, especially for three weeks' time. But I think this offers enough utility that it can get a sufficient number of backers, if it gets more publicity like this.
The question I have is, while wireless power, what are the long term effects on the plastic the current is going through? It may be a bit of a silly question but one would presume that if you are using these on a MOC setup in a room and it sitting there for a long time. Could it degrade the plastic or discolor it after long term usage?
@VictorvanSchagen: I don't think you need to pay when you pledge, only if the project reaches its goal (is that right, Kickstarter veterans?). So, feel free to pledge now and help them reach the goal!
^ Correct, oldfan - nothing to pay unless the funding total is reached.
They basically say on the Kickstarter page how the product works (i.e. wireless power transmission, thanks to Mr Tesla) and they utilise a product on which the patent has expired (i.e. Lego bricks). So probably their product is unpatentable and there doesn't seem to be a particularly high barrier to entry in this market. What's to stop a clone brand manufacturer (e.g. Cobi) stealing their idea and making a mass produced cheaper version?
This is cool and I need it for my set layouts
There's already a company that makes these tiny tiny wires that make wiring stuff through brick relatively trivial. I forget what it's called, but I saw them at BrickMagic and they were amazing.
This is a great idea. Purely from a playing perspective, my daughter would love to have this for her day to day world building. I will probably pledge something but I don't think the total is going to be met as there simply aren't enough people prepared to pledge that much for this which is a shame.
@peterlmorris https://www.brickstuff.com/
I need some of them for my Christmas layout.
I found this product at a local store, buying it this Saturday.