The desktop AUR robotic lamp is a hybrid between an ordinary desklamp and a robotic arm. It sounds kind of freaky to me, but if used correctly, it can be a real help for the safety of your home.

The lamp features a detection sensor and a blue psychedelic light, which detects and follows any move you make. I just wonder if Steven Spielberg knows about this.

Designed by the MIT's Guy Hoffman, the robo-lamp reveals a black futuristic design. In fact, the idea was considered so great, that Hoffman himself decided to include it in his portfolio. As he is a member in the Robotic Life research group in MIT's Media Lab, we should expect some improvements in the future.

According to Newscientist, he describes the invention as a real: "collaborative lighting assistant", useful in difficult situations when one should need lighting and a little support. It should be nice, though, to see parts of this amazing item on real robots.

Hoffman thinks: "Both human-centric interactive robot designer and actor are in the business of injecting life into a lifeless object, be it a hierarchy of joints and motors for one, or an arc of dry dialog lines and stage directions for the other.

Both robot designer and actor have to analytically break down the complex emergent constellation called 'behavior' and reconstruct it in an inherently fake, but ultimately meaningful or at least believable way."

The invention is a subtle combination between physical motion, lighting and especially the synchronization of human-machine interaction. It is capable of creating amazing illusions that the lamp is another being that can show emotion or even affection, just like a robot.

Although the AUR lamp cannot dance like one of Pixar's animated lamps, it seems pretty funky to me. I think I should start saving $500!