I hope all the smart features are configurable. Probably hard to implement but a person’s preference is not always the same as another.
I haven’t yet had a light that has this feature, but if it did I’d at least like to be able to disable it if required.
This is!! :+1:
I own a headlamp that can be controlled by waving my hand. It is convenient in some scenarios, but a hindrance in other ones. So there should be an easy way to disable the smart feature. You could have two separate buttons, one that turns on the flashlight on /off with smart functionality, and another button that turns the flashlight on/off with no smart functionality. The buttons should be clearly labeled or colored so they are easy to tell apart in low light conditions. Another option is to add a simple rocker switch that triggers the smart functionality on/off. In any case, the UI needs to be intuitive enough that enabling/disabling the smart feature should be easy and obvious.
Easy to disable smart features, having redundant traditional UI.
Handsfree controls can be advertised for mechanics and the like who often have dirty hands.
This may be smarter than you’re looking to make, but facial recognition with auto dimming would be truly unique.
Thanks for GAW
These sound good.
Autodim if incoming bright light maybe?
It could be interesting to have a light at at least adjusts brightness based on proximity and reflective value of objects in front of the light, particularly for right angle or head lamps. The feature would need to be switchable or overridable.
Automatic dimming would be interesting as an option. I can see it being useful to not blind other walkers at night but it needs to be optional with a standard UI for other times.
I hope it’s not smarter than me, and decides to ignore my actions when I’m in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
OTOH with motion sensor, attached to my backpack, works for me.
Interested
There seem to be a good number of real world problems with current implementations, so if you were to make a light smart, it should also be easily switched to manual.
Too many quirks with how they have been implemented so far. Perhaps settings options would help - something like a High Sensitivity, Low Sensitivity (speed of response), and Off. There is a challenge in locating the sensor such that full operation isn’t unintentionally interfered with while still allowing easy response for the sensor. Petzl tried this many years ago, had some problems, refined it, and theirs actually works pretty well now. I was looking at the newer Lumintop headlamp and its sensor position and shielding (by the housing) seems to be a good approach but I haven’t seen that in person or any videos on it yet.
Personally I can’t think of scenarios where this would be helpful to me either in a handheld light or a headlamp. If I need a hand to activate it then I also have that hand free to work a button or twist something, or just shield the beam if need be. When I tried the Petzl headlamps, while they work pretty well, I didn’t care for the quick steps in light intensity - not sure if my eyes no longer adjust to changes as quickly or if it was just the scenario (stopping to check topo maps while hiking) but the transition was kind of harsh, I thought.
If it’s implemented there needs to be some assurance that “debris” doesn’t set it off when not desired…brushing past a twig or plant as you pass by, moving your head close to a pipe or electrical conduit briefly, rain, etc. (the sawdust example given above was interesting…wouldn’t have thought that could do it but there you have it).
Olight just did a voluntary recall for their effort, but theirs was also a stop-gap attempt at preventing careless people from burning themselves or their clothing/items with accidental activation of the light. We have good firmware that can mostly negate the need for addressing this with hardware. So that leaves convenience as the feature, but clearly these sensors have not been so convenient for many users.
I see this as one of those fun or interesting but unnecessary things being added to lights. Like OLED screens. Adds to cost, makes troubleshooting or repair much harder or impossible sometimes (parts), and doesn’t add much value to the product in the end.
I think a smart flashlight/headlamp is practical and even desirable, as long as you can disable it when not needed.
Thanks for the GAW Cyansky!
Yes, with current technology it is cheap (power wise and money wise) to add a better processor inside lights.
You can do amazing things with a small commuter inside a light - just have to be creative.
A voice-controlled headlamp is very useful and easy to use in my opinion I would love to see a commercial manufactured smart headlamp.
I would like a smart flashlight to do the thinking for me when it gets dark to light the way but know it’s not a pocket but a darkened path.
No .
I remember Olight offering some kind of sensor that turns off the light when it is pointed down. I have not heard anyone raving about it and I don’t know if it still was continued…
Anyway, “Smart” features is fine (and is a subject for debate) but should have the option to disable it and be used like most manual lights of today can be smarter option.
If this can be implement efficiently it will be a gamechanger
The smarter the better 
Great for diving