Light has always helped us see—but in the future, it may also become a powerful way to send information and power smart devices.
Researchers at the University of Oulu are exploring how everyday LED lights could do much more than brighten a room. Their vision is simple but powerful: use the same light already around us to communicate data and even provide energy.
By 2035, white LED lights are expected to make up about 95% of indoor lighting worldwide. Unlike traditional bulbs, LED lights can be switched on and off extremely fast.
This ability allows them to carry information, similar to how internet signals travel through cables or Wi-Fi.
The research is part of the SUPERIOT project, led by Professor Marcos Katz, who is also a specialist in future 6G communication systems.
Instead of relying on radio waves like today’s Wi-Fi or mobile networks, this system uses visible light to send data.
This is known as visible light communication, or VLC. A regular LED lamp could act as both a light source and a data transmitter.
The light flickers at incredibly high speed, sending a series of ones and zeros, much like Morse code. The flicker is so fast that human eyes cannot see it, so the room still appears to be steadily lit.
A computer, phone, or tablet with a special sensor can read and decode this flickering light. At the same time, devices can send information back using invisible light, such as infrared, so users are not disturbed by bright or flashing screens.
This technology has major advantages in sensitive environments. In hospitals, factories, and inside airplanes, radio signals can interfere with important equipment. That is why phones are restricted in certain areas.
Light-based communication does not cause the same interference, making it a safer option. It also improves security. If the light is inside a closed room, no one outside can intercept the data. You must be physically present under the light to receive the signal.
However, light communication does have limits. It requires a clear line of sight between the light source and the receiver. If something blocks the sensor, the signal can be lost. For this reason, light technology will likely work together with radio, not replace it entirely.
Beyond communication, light could also power devices. In future smart buildings and cities, small sensors will constantly collect and send information. Today these devices often rely on batteries, which end up as waste. Katz and his team are developing tiny solar cells that allow devices to collect energy from surrounding LED light and run without batteries.
The project also explores using printed electronics. Instead of using rare and expensive materials, these sensors could be printed like stickers using minimal resources.
A label on a milk carton could update its price automatically. A sticker in an office could monitor temperature and control air conditioning. In hospitals, printed sensors could track patients and alert staff if someone falls or becomes unwell.
By combining communication, power, and sustainability, this research shows that light could soon play a much bigger role in everyday life than we ever imagined.
In the future, the same lamp above your head might illuminate the room, connect your devices, and power the smart world around you.
