Tumba revels in new lighting technology

Some of the innovations at Tumba College of Technology (TCT) are exceptional, but one that really stands out is the latest energy saving initiative that is being showcased at the International Conference on Technology in Kigali.The college has developed an automated lighting system that can be controlled by phones that have access to bluetooth to switch bulbs on and off- a purely local scientific innovation that can save Rwanda from importing similar advanced lighting systems.The brain behind this is Jean Pierre Musabyimana, the Head of Electronics and Telecommunications Department at TCT. In his five year stint at the College, Musabyimana has been at the helm of technological advances and together with his students seeks to facilitate Rwanda’s desire to become the region’s ICT hub.“The system uses Bluetooth technology to control bulbs; once installed in an office or house, switching the lights on and off can be controlled by any phone that has wireless Bluetooth,” Musabyimana explained.“I cannot say it is entirely a new innovation in Rwanda because we borrowed some ideas from automated systems currently in use in some companies, but it surely is critical in technology advancement in our country.”Musabyimana believes that the innovation could be the answer to protecting the country’s meager energy resources.“Wasting energy and electricity is a habit that is not helpful, yet you find people forgetting to switch the lights off too often. With this system they can switch the lights off at any time,” he said.“At first, smart phones would be used only at a short distances as long as they are within range of the system, but we upgraded them with long distance modules that can cover up to 100 meters.”In case someone loses their phone, the system has a backup number keypad which can be used alternatively.“Everyone else who doesn’t own a smart phone can use the number keypad installed on the wall to control the lights in a building, by simply pressing the corresponding numbers of the bulbs they want on or off,” he added.Although it is still under intensive study to cover any of its emerging flaws, the smart phone lighting system is a true innovation, and Musabyimana is hopeful that in the coming years, it will replace the normal bulb switches used in Rwanda today.

National

Tumba revels in new lighting technology