What was originally conceived as a cheap rechargeable LED light for parts of the world where the power grid wasn’t reliable, turned out to be a huge hit with consumers all over the world after it was unveiled at CES last year. So this year MPOWERD is introducing a slightly more extravagant model of its inflatable lantern called the Luci Aura that features colour-changing LED lights and a new frosted plastic giving it a softer glow.
Whereas the original Luci was all about maximising brightness, the Aura is more about setting a mood and is designed to be a fun camping accessory, or the perfect way to decorate a dorm room. It’s got the same solar panel on the underside as the Luci, as well as the original’s rechargeable battery that promises up to 12 hours of illumination after eight hours under a light source.
But besides the snazzy colours, and a $US25 price tag that’s about $US10 more than the original, the Aura is actually made from a new environmentally-friendly plastic that’s actually biodegradable. There’s no word on how long it will take for the Aura to disintegrate, but it will certainly give you many years of loyal service long before it starts to rot away. [MPOWERD]