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The final version of The Orb. Here seen in a bedroom environment
INTRODUCING THE ORB
The Orb is our take on the next generation smart light: a beautifully crafted designer lamp with an intelligent control system that brings a professional lighting solution to your home and works right out of the box.
Unlike any other lamp, with the Orb you can control not only the intensity and colour but also the direction. A combination not available through any other product on the market.
With Danish design at heart, the Orb isn’t just an intelligent lighting solution, but a beautiful light that will look stylish in any home.
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Rendering of the final version of The Orb. Here seen in a kitchen environment
BETTER LIGHT. BETTER LIVING.
Our first lighting platform builds on the idea of being able to create a multitude of light settings with one lamp. Through conversations with lighting designers and architects, it became evident that good light needs to be dynamic. We need to create contrasts and leaps in luminance, add dashes of colour, and control the white balance.
In order to do this, we needed to break out of the traditional way of creating lamps. This is the reasoning behind the Orb.
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First renderings of The Orb. Note that there are small changes to the final design
THE RIGHT MOOD FOR ANY SITUATION
The Orb comes with a set of pre-defined settings: the moods. The included wall switch is pre-configured with a selection of these, but they can easily be modified to suit your needs through the Better Light app. You can even create your own moods and save them for future use.
The options for finding the right light are almost endless, but with our intuitive app and presets, you won’t have to tinker to find the right mood quickly.
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INTELLIGENT FEATURES
The Orb comes with a range of intelligent features that support our mission of enhancing your home and influencing the atmosphere through the use of light. Part of our mission is to create a more hands-off experience, where you don't need to adjust your light over the course of the day, but where the Orb knows what you need - perhaps even before you do.
Our feature set is in constant development, and we will be actively working with our users to develop new meaningful ways of adding intelligence to our lighting solutions.
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The Night Fall feature over the course of an evening
INSIDE THE ORB
With its sleek and streamlined appearance, it can come as a bit of a surprise that the Orb is packed with high-tech components.
The patented cooling system is designed specifically for the electronics inside the Orb, and the reflectors have the exact build that ensures optimal lighting. Nothing is left to chance - it truly is a beautifully crafted piece of designware.
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Some of the first prototypes of The Orb. In the final version of The Orb there are small changes
WORKS RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX
We believe that the ease of use is vital, so the Orb works right out of the box. Everything is already set up from the get-go, so you just need to unpack the product and plug it in. It literally takes minutes.
The Orb comes with an included controller that ensures you’re up and running in no time, and have access to a range of pre-defined settings, without having to reach for your phone.
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You can configure the Orb through your smartphone, and even connect to existing smart-home solutions. Choose the light mood from one of the predefined settings or easily create your own. Enable the intelligent features you wish to use. You now have complete control.
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The Better Light App - use it to control your Orb
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THE SHADE ECLIPSE
From the start we have planned to include a control unit in the box with the Orb. We want users to have a positive unboxing experience, and find it crucial that users are up and running in no time.
The design needed to be simple, intuitive, and functional, sticking to our Nordic design culture.
With all this in mind, we introduce the Eclipse, the first control system for the Orb. It's elegant, easy to use, and will add another layer to the Shade experience.
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Newest renderings of The Orb and Eclipse
You can use it mounted on a wall, or clip it off the wall to use it as a bedside or table-side remote control. It fits your needs.
You receive an Eclipse with each Orb, and the remote is paired with its Orb out of the box. However, if you have multiple Orbs, you can easily create zones/rooms where several Orbs are controlled by the same remote, allowing you to have e.g. one Eclipse by the entrance to the room, and one by the sofa.
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A close up of Eclipse.
Operating the Eclipse is simple and even kids will be able to use it. A quick twist cycles through the pre-defined or customized moods, and the beauty of using rotation as the operator is that you can fit in as many moods as you wish. Sometimes 3 moods are enough, sometimes you want 10.
A press on the front of the Eclipse turns the Orbs on or off. Hold the button and rotate to control to dim. An elegant and tactile solution.
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The Eclipse is your a portable innovative light switch
Our plan is to manufacture the Shade Eclipse using a high-quality polymer, and the Bluetooth LE technology that is used to communicate means that you can have the switch operative for years without changing batteries... and yes - the batteries WILL be easily exchangeable.
A CONNECTED HOME
The Orb is a connected device. You can easily add more Orbs and configure them through the Better Ligh app interface. You now control rooms instead of individual lamps.
Through the use of Bluetooth LE technology, the Orbs communicate over their own network without having to use your Wi-Fi. This ensures that external network problems don't have any influence on the stability of the Orbs.
With the Better Light app, you can choose from The Orb’s built-in mood settings or manually control the colour, intensity, and direction of light. Find it in App Store or Google Play
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THE SLAATTO S1 SILHOUETTE
In addition to the Orb, we also created a complementing lampshade that surrounds the Orb and accentuates the effects of directional lighting. The Slaatto S1 resembles the shape of a flower, and its "petals" can be moved or adapted depending on your needs and preferences.
The Slaatto S1 was created in collaboration with Øivind Alexander Slaatto, an award-winning Danish designer. Øivind’s design philosophy and experience with world-famous Danish high-end brands proved to be a great addition to Shade's drive to innovate.
As a result of this collaboration, Slaatto S1 was born. It embodies a simple yet poetic design approach, celebrating traditional Danish design roots while seeking inspiration in the world of nature.
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Øivind Slaatto working at his workshop.
ADJUSTABLE LAMPSHADE
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TECH SPECS
The Orb packs a punch. It's roughly the size of a mango, but don't be fooled by its small size. The high-quality components add up to an extraordinary product that not only looks good - but performs when needed.
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HOW WE GOT HERE
We at Shade want to rethink how we interact with light and how to provide a solution that enables us to dictate the atmospheres we want to have.
Over the past 15 months, we have put an enormous amount of energy and work into the process of creating the perfect lighting and we are finally at a stage where we can show prototypes that support our idea.
As of now, we are in the final stages of the product hardware development, but still need to complete the software part, and run all the necessary tests.
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Early sketches of The Orb
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One of our first prototypes of The Orb
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Early concept renderings of The Orb
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Final rendering of The Orb
TIMELINE
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MEET THE TEAM
Shade is a tech and design startup from Copenhagen, Denmark. We were founded in 2015 by two engineers who wanted to revolutionize the way people interact with artificial lighting. Over the course of 2016 we grew the team to over ten employees and created fully working prototypes of the products.
Our team consists of experienced professionals, mixed with young talent, within software and hardware engineering, product design and business administration. One thing we all have in common, is that we want to improve the way we light our homes.
We already have fully working prototypes and it is our goal now to deliver fully working Orbs in the fall of 2017. We need your help to achieve that aim and bring our lighting revolution into everybody’s home. Please help us with that final push, so we can enlighten your home with our products.
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The team behind the Crowdfunding campaign,
SHADE MANIFESTO
Light doesn’t just help us see in the dark, it helps influence our moods and feelings, whether we’re indoors or outdoors. In Denmark, our favourite word is ‘Hygge’, which is roughly translated as the idea of cosiness and making our homes comfier. Having a product that is able to instantly create different atmospheres gives people the power to improve their moods.”Shade enables you to create what you want within seconds and lets you set the tone for your life.
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RISKS & CHALLENGES
Over the past 1 ½ years, we have worked hard to get to the current stage with working prototypes and basic software functionality. Our biggest motivation is to deliver a product of high quality and outstanding performance: The devil is in the detail and ensuring we reach the level we are aiming for will take a tremendous effort.
In order for this to happen, we gathered an experienced team with a varied set of skills, that is working tirelessly on the finalization of the Orb and all other Shade products.
As of now, we are at a late stage in the hardware development, but ensuring that we can ramp up production at the quality we want, means we have to invest in molds and manufacturing equipment. Additionally, the further development of software is a significant task, and even though we currently have a strong team, we will look to strengthen our line-up with additional talents.
We have already set up partnerships with a strong network of suppliers, and we’ve secured their support ensuring that we are not alone in terms of development, component sourcing, and logistics, to name but a few areas. We cannot do this alone, and we need to make sure we have the best heads helping us out.
We won’t hide from the fact that this is a complex operation, but with a bit of help from our backers, we will be ensuring the level of stability needed to focus on the task at hand.
This campaign gives us the final push to finish the creation of the product that not only we, but everyone will love!
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An early prototype of the Slaatto S1
FAQ
SHIPPING
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes, we are shipping our products worldwide. We are shipping to a pick-up point near you. Our courier is UPS. When our courier UPS has picked up your order, they will send you an e-mail with more information. Please be aware to check your mailbox. Unfortunately, we sometimes experience that these important emails end up in your spamfolders. So please check this too.
When will I receive my product?
You will receive more information via mail and updates. Please be sure to read your mail and check your spam folder.
What are the shipping costs?
The shipping costs change depending on the chosen perk and your location. Select your country in the checkout process and the shipping costs will be shown instantly.
I live in Denmark, can I pick up the products myself?
No, unfortunately, you can not pick up the products yourself.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
What type of warranty do you offer on Shade's products?
All Shade products come with a 2-year manufacturer's warranty.
How do you handle returns?
If you experience problems with your Orb, please contact us at help@shadelights.com.
Where can I get help if there is a problem with the product?
If you need more help our site will be updated with support assets, and you can always write to us at help@shadelights.com
How do you handle taxes?
The backer is responsible, please check your country's import duties before purchasing.
Where are the products shipped from?
The products are designed, developed, manufactured, and shipped from Denmark.
TECHNICAL
How long do the LEDs in the Orb last?
The typical lifetime of the LEDs in the Orb is up to 50.000 hrs, depending on how warm they get - which we control intelligently in the Orb.
How warm does the Orb get?
The warmth of the Orb depends on usage - the Orb is substantially cooler than light bulbs due to the larger diameter. It will regulate itself to be below a specified temperature to make sure the LEDs last a long time (currently we work with 70 °C max.).
How much does The Orb weigh and what are the exact dimensions?
The Orb weighs 333g and the dimensions are 13 cm x 4 cm.
What material is The Orb made of?
The Orb is made of polycarbonate specially formulated for diffusion properties. The surface is treated, polished bronze that maximizes heat output.
What kind of material is the Slaatto S1 made of?
The Slaatto S1 is made of a polymer, which is selected due to its very remarkable light properties.
Does the Orb replace my lightbulb?
The Orb replaces your entire lamp. We are working on a solution to put your favourite lampshade on to the Orb.
Can I replace the LEDs in the Orb or do I need to buy a new one?
No, this is not a typical light bulb and it’s not to be opened in any way by the end user.
Will The Orb work with any light fitting?
The Orb needs power from the fitting.
Does The Orb use more power than a traditional light bulb?
The Orb can give a lot of light when fully lit, which does, of course, cost power. When compared to a traditional light bulb that gives the same amount of light as the Orb, it uses 80% less power. When you factor in that some moods and features can use less power than the traditional due to a smart energy consumption, the power saving goes up to 96%.
How do I control the Orb light settings?
You can control The Orb light setting with the included wall switches and the app, which gives you the freedom to change in-depth settings such as the creation of moods.
How do you integrate with other home automation systems (Apple Home Kit, Google Home, Alexa etc.)
Out of the box, the Orb is setup to work on our own platform. This means that the included wall switch - Eclipse, will be working with the Orb out of the box and ensures you’ll be up and running in no time.
We are working on integrating with leading home automation providers, and are closely monitoring the market for developments. From our side, we will be integrating with a select few of the leading platforms.
The Orb will not integrate with the Apple Homekit out of the box. We plan on integrating with Apple Homekit as it evolves in the near future. Our target is to have the best integrated user experience on the platform.
Will Shade integrate into my IHC system?
There are a lot of Intelligent Home Concept systems out there. They have a lot of interesting features that could be very nice if used together with the Shade system.
Presently, we cannot promise integration to these, the main reason being that they are not that intelligent. They control on the high voltage side which in our opinion is a suboptimal solution. They usually come with a significant of installation cost, which goes directly against our philosophy. Most of what they do, we can actually do a lot smarter.
So will Shade be compatible with my ICH system?
It depends on the system, but most likely yes. You cannot use the dimming function of your system but instead has to use Shade's system for this. You can turn the lamps on/off with the IHC system. You can program your IHC system to turn multiple orbs on/off with one switch for instance. You can also program your IHC system to turn the orbs on/off through the ICH scheduling if you would like that.
So most of the functionality of the IHC system compliments the orb functionality nicely. You just don’t need a IHC to do any of this with our system.
Are there any other products planned in the near future?
Definitely, follow us on Facebook or our website.
What changes are you planning on doing to the hardware?
All visual material in the campaign is done with our prototypes. Up until launch, we will continue to develop these to get the aesthetics and the functionality second to none. Our designer Øivind Alexander Slaatto will help us reach the premium level quality we are aiming for.
We are improving the design of the connector, and developing the controller, as well as the base unit. We will continuously communicate our progress, and we hope that you will trust our team on finalizing the details.
INSTALLATION
Will it work with the power that is available in my country?
Yes, we use a switch mode that goes from 100-240VAC / 50-60Hz. This covers most of the world, of course including EU, US, Canada, UK, Australia.
The orb will be C-UL-US and CE certified, among other more local certifications.
How do I install the Orb? Is it easy?
Yes, it is quite easy. A bracket is fixed on the ceiling, AC wiring is done (phase and neutral) and the lamp is mounted on the bracket. The Orb is plugged in and can be turned on. Mind that some countries require authorised personnel to do the AC wiring.
Can I install multiple units into one light circuit - for example, three lights over a dining table operated on one switch, or one two-way switch?
You can install Orbs just like you do with regular lamps, so yes for example 3 Orbs on 1 circuit.
However, you really don’t have to control them like that, because you can pair Orbs and switches in our app. The Orbs just need power, and then you can set them up exactly as you want them.
Do Orbs work with my dimmers?
The dimming function will not work, since all that will do is give The Orb less power. You can wire the orb with many types of old dimmers and if you can use your dimmer for on/off, then it will also work for turning the orb on and off.
The wall switch that comes with the orb can do dimming (and way better than old dimmers), so you will just use that one instead.
Is it safe to install in my children's bedroom?
What we found in our user tests was that children love the different colors of the Orb.
The child can potentially unplug the orb if they can reach it. This is still safe since it does not get very warm. There is only low voltage in the cord, so it is much safer than regular light bulbs where children can unscrew it and get high voltage.
Please read the user manual and take necessary precautions before installing in children's rooms.
INDIEGOGO
How can I choose multiple perks?
If you want different perks or need more orbs? Write to us at help@shadelights.com
The discounts on the campaign are quite significant. What is the reasoning behind this?
The recommended retail price is based on industry practices which include a significant share for the retail partners. By selling directly through IndieGoGo we can greatly reduce the distribution cost since there is no middle-man.
I preordered a Shade product, but I didn’t get any confirmation email. How do I check the status of the order?
If you didn't get a confirmation email yet, try looking in your spam filter. If it is not there, write to us at help@shadelights.com
Who should I contact if I have other questions?
Please contact help@shadelights.com in any case
When is the money taken from my account?
The money will be deducted from your account right after you purchased any or multiple of the Perks via the Indiegogo page.
Disclaimer: Final specifications may be subject to changes during production optimization.