Iris
A controllable penlight that lights the audience one unit at a time
Overview
Iris is a penlight that can be controlled all at once from the venue side. By lighting each penlight individually rather than in blocks, it turns the entire audience into a single display. It is a product of Cocoreach Inc., under development from the circuits to the communications.
Where the idea came from
An Iris prototype receiving a signal and glowing redThe concept began with interviews with a leading Japanese penlight manufacturer. When our CEO then went to explain the idea to people connected with large live venues and artist agencies, the responses were consistently positive. Existing controllable penlights can only change color in blocks; if each one could be controlled individually, the audience becomes a display of thousands to tens of thousands of pixels.
Technology in development
Because thousands to tens of thousands of penlights must be controlled at the same time, each one individually addressable, the core of the technology is communication. We solve this with a proprietary communication technology (details undisclosed).
Internal design of the prototype, with the control board and battery housed in the grip
CAD of the prototype enclosure 
Prototypes of the grip and light tubeThroughout development I have taken the lead in directing and building the project: the technology selection and the various negotiations around development, naturally, but also the design of the control board inside the penlight, the enclosure design of the prototype, and the definition of the communication protocol.
As a derivative experiment, we have also prototyped penlights whose glow changes depending on the viewing angle. Being able to verify a lighting pattern in a physical unit the day after conceiving it is the strength of building hardware in house. And being able to develop hand in hand with a manufacturer, directly connected to the field, is a strength I take pride in.