RENNECT by Dinika.Soni from india

DISCONNECT. CONNECT. RENNECT.

Advancing towards the digital revolution, we are all losing out on the simplicity of life. Even though geographical distances have reduced, the distances between people have only widened. Virtual texts have replaced friendly hugs. Forwarded emails have replaced handwritten letters. If this is the current situation, then what does the future have in store for us?

We have anticipated a scenario in the near future where technology would have taken over our lives. Obsessed by these gadgets, our upcoming generations will build their lives around them. Researchers say that ‘the buzzing of your phone signifying a text message, releases the dopamine hormone due to anticipation and creates an urge to respond. This is the main cause of the texting addiction’. Our concept RENNECT- lighting with a purpose, tackles this issue.

RENNECT is basically a lighting solution targeting social gatherings in order to create a realization and promote social interaction. It is more of a concept based installation where it will create a feeling of anticipation in the user due to the ‘curiosity of unknown’ and is centred on the idea of a collective effort. It urges people to come together, put away their phones onto this installation and initiate a personal interaction instead of hiding behind their screens. As soon people start placing their phones on it, the form begins to light up while the phone charges .The idea was to have the form come to life when you put away the distractions.

It uses inductive charging technology based on ‘near field magnetic resonance’. The materials used are polished metal and translucent polycarbonate. A ring of warm white LEDs inside the component light up due to sensors at the base of the metal part. The form of the lamp is inspired by the vertebrae in the spine due to its posture when a person is looking into his/her phone while texting.
RENNECT is born out of anticipation of a future that disregards real time personal conversations, for virtual ones. We put forth this idea in the hope that in a room full of people, you are never lonely.