Leds

Sometimes a flashlight just isn't enough. The Flying Sun 1000 drone system was designed with that fact in mind, as it uses 288 airborne LEDs to light up the night like the alien mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Remember back when basketball courts had hardwood floors? You're right, most still do, although some may soon be switching over to the eye-popping dynamic-display ASB GlassFloor. Its first permanent installation was announced earlier this week.

A lot of bicycle commuters use so-called clipless pedals, as do many mountain bikers who make their way along dark streets when coming back from evening rides. The dual-color LED Arclight Pro Clipless Pedals are made for just such folks.

Folks who work on a computer at home, and also suffer from cold hands, can find keeping their digits toasty during winter months an expensive problem. Danish startup Varme has sought to address such issues with a power-sipping desktop hand warmer.

Back in 2012, we heard about tiny biped "biobot" robots that used actual muscle tissue to walk. Well, the descendants of those bots are now equipped with LEDs, which allow them to be remotely steered in a practical fashion.

Startup Sensy has launched a guitar-shaped electronic instrument featuring a fretboard crammed with follow-me lights designed to get noobs playing tunes quickly, but can also be used by seasoned pros as a MIDI interface or eye-catching melody maker.

Besides keeping your food cold, there’s not much more we need from a fridge, but manufacturers keep cramming new features in there. The latest example from LG is the MoodUP, a fridge that sports speakers and LED doors that can change color on demand.

Tiki Brand shifts gears from the torches nearly synonymous with its name and strings up a full strand of outdoor lights complete with silent, odorless mosquito repellent diffusers. The lights create a warming ambiance while fighting off pests.

While most flashlights are good at lighting the way in front of the user, they don't illuminate the ground between that person and whoever may be following them. That's where the Polish-designed Rony comes in, as it has both front and rear beams.

It can get tiresome, continually having to tell groups of children – or even adults – to be quiet. That's where a new sound-sensitive lamp comes in, as it does the job for you by changing color in response to rising noise levels.

Although there are already cycling jackets and vests with integrated rear lights, those aren't going to do you much good if you cover them with a backpack. That's where the Torch pack comes in, as it has an integrated lighting system of its own.

Although we've heard about "smart" fabrics which could be used in clothing that displays data, it's unlikely that most garments will ever be made of such materials. The PocketView system, however, shines its display through existing "dumb" textiles.