Lumen Is a Handheld Mixed Reality Projection Mapping Device

In the tech news industry, we tend to put a lot of emphasis on new technology. But, the reality is that virtually all of it is simply an evolution of existing technology, or an innovative new use of it. The latter is the case with Arvind Sanjeev’s Lumen, and it’s one of the most imaginative uses of existing technology that we’ve seen.

Lumen looks just like a large store-bought flashlight, but there’s a lot more inside than just a bulb and battery. Sanjeev’s creation uses a combination of computer vision, machine learning, and projection mapping to produce a mixed reality storytelling system. In a way, it works similarly to augmented reality glasses by laying digital objects and data over the real world.

But, unlike AR, Lumen doesn’t just present that to an individual wearing goggles. Instead, it uses a compact laser projector to actually map the digital information on physical objects in the real world. A Lumen user only needs to point the device at a key item, and the relevant data will be projected onto it.

Sanjeev envisions Lumen being used in a variety of scenarios. Just like with augmented reality, it can be used to display useful data about surrounding objects. But, it can also be used for interactive storytelling at museums and galleries. We can definitely imagine it being used in everything from theme parks to exhibitions.