A hand-following AI task lamp for your desk

As you work on a project, lighting needs change dynamically. This can mean manual adjustment after manual adjustment, making do with generalized lighting, or having a helper hold a flashlight. Harry Gao, however, has a different solution in the form of a novel robotic task lamp.

Gao’s 3D-printed device uses a USB camera to take images of the work area, and a Python image processing routine running on a PC to detect hand positions. This sends instructions to an Arduino Nano, which commands a pair of small stepper motors to extend and rotate the light fixture via corresponding driver boards.

The solution means that he’ll always have proper illumination, as long as he stays within the light-bot’s range!