Like most teenagers, Simon Morris dreamt of owning his own hoverboard. Naturally, this led to an obsession with magnetic levitation and he soon began building his own hoverboard prototypes with magnets – much to the amusement of his friends and family.
With a working magnetic hoverboard prototype under his arm (which actually worked but wasn’t technically ‘rideable’), Morris soon began expanding his magnetic levitation into a form of craft where he started working with brands including Nike and Urban Ears to build magnetic levitation installations for products ranging from shoes to headphones and speakers.
Aiming to throw some technology into the mix, he soon began experimenting with wireless power – inspired by none other than Nikola Tesla’s experiments that began in the late 1800s. What resulted is an entirely new way of thinking about light in the form of the FLYTE Levitating Light.
“Wireless power transfer transmission has been around since the days of Nikola Tesla,” says Morris on his Kickstarter page.
“With FLYTE we’ve packed some of Tesla’s tech and combined it with magnetic levitation, opening up a magical world of possibilities. Our wireless power module transmits about 5V and is completely safe and harmless. Edison and Tesla can finally be friends.”
Designed in Sweden, the FLYTE requires no batteries and powers light through the air via induction. Its base is made of sustainably-sourced oak, ash or walnut and the light bulb uses energy-efficient LEDs that are rated at 50,000 hours – meaning that this levitating light will keep your desk or study lit for 12 hours a day for 11 years.
For as simple as it looks, the FLYTE packs an impressive blend of art and science; turning the unit on or off is as simple as touching the surface of the wood base thanks to a capacitive touch sensor embedded under the wood surface. With an optional third-party accessory, the base can even be used to wirelessly charge a smartphone.
For those who want to try their hand at designing their own FLYTE, there is even an optional “Maker Kit” which includes a base and a magnet with four ultra bright LEDs powered wirelessly via induction.
“FLYTE is the result of years of research using magnetic levitation and induction technologies,” added Morris.
“We have secured our relations with our manufactures and ready to start the production process but in order to make this a reality, we need your help. We have moved out of the prototyping phase and are now ready to bring FLYTE to you. Back our project and be the first to experience levitating light!”
With 27 days left to go in his Kickstarter campaign, Morris has already raised an impressive $114,000 – with an original goal of $80,000. Interested buyers can purchase a FLYTE for $249 (limited quantity).
