Forget Wi-Fi. Meet the new Li-Fi Internet | Harald Haas

What if we could use existing technologies to provide Internet access to the more than 4 billion people living in places where the infrastructure can't support it? Using off-the-shelf LEDs and solar cells, Harald Haas and his team have pioneered a new technology that transmits data using light, and it may just be the key to bridging the digital divide. Take a look at what the future of the Internet could look like.

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[Overonator]

But you need unobstructed line of sight. How practical is that? WiFi radio can go through walls.

[JamesBn]

But you can only receive data? How do you request data?

[LouesSCat]

This reminds me of the in store price correction systems. Stores rigged up their lighting to pulse signals and electronic price tags picked up the flicker so prices could be updated for specific products or across the store with a minimum of wiring. The price displays were powered and set by the lighting. No wires or signals required.

[EugeneKhutoryansky]

I see that the drawbacks of this idea have already been commented on by a number of people. Though, still, it is an interesting concept.

[iviewthetube]

@5:36 . Anyone else notice that the 'fog' did not cover the entire panel?

[MrCheezyCrack]

Comments Section = Facepalm... Li-Fi is, in no way, Replacing Wi-Fi. They have very different uses. Lifi can only receive data.. at the moment.. We can use this technology to bring internet around the world; not for upload, but download. Imagine transmitting the encyclopedia britanica, and any digitized book, to schools in the Congo for virtually no cost. I for one can't wait until we develop more solar-based technology. Maybe then we'll start investing in it because apparently global warming and dissapearing landmass is not reason enough. Maybe if we offer people faster internet, they'll consider it.

[SilkyWayFPV]

Would be a great technology to improve communication between cars (especially autonomous) via the headlights and braking lights. Cars could easily determine the car in front of them and communicate if that car approaches an obstacle for example. The speed of data transmission would be way faster than what is possible with mobile data at the moment. This would make autonomous driving more safe I believe.

[StephenRoseDuo]

It's disadvantage can also be its advantage.

Advantage/Disadvantage: You need clear line of site from the transmitter to the receiver. This means you guarantee that only people, in the room for example, can see the connection. I believe this can be either an inconvenience or a security feature depending on your goals.

Pure Advantage: Because it is using much higher frequency light than WiFi the maximum connection speed limit is far higher than WiFi's.

[realamericanpatriots]

FANTASTIC IDEA. WORLD CHANGING AND ONE OF THE BEST IDEAS I'VE SEEN IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. ABSOLUTELY GREAT IDEA, MAN. CONGRATS.

[KrisHalverson]

My last speeding ticket happened because I thought the limit was 65. The cop said it was 55 mph, which, surprise surprise, it was. Why didn't the speed limit sign tell my car what the current speed trap required and display it on the nice Mazda HUD? Or transmit current road conditions? Wouldn't take much innovation with this technology to make it happen and save me from Louisiana speed traps. Now that would really be a smart car.

[zeromailss]

Calm down people, its still a prototype, you remember a prototype of phone years ago?
from what I can see, it might be useful in many ways, lets wait for few years.

[Ngoful]

This is an amazing concept. As far as long distance or constant light exposure areas, this would change everything. I wonder how they are going to try and circumvent the problem of physical blockage.

[Duciousness]

Exactly what Fibre Optics use to transfer at high speeds. Uses Light to transfer.

[brahmahum]

"The photophone is a telecommunications device that allows transmission of speech on a beam of light. It was invented jointly by Alexander Graham Bell and his assistant Charles Sumner Tainter on February 19, 1880, at Bell's laboratory..." ("Photophone", Wikipedia)

[ChristofferRonaasen]

This definitely has potential! What he showed with the handkerchief means we could have satellites in space spreading a radius of lasers, and even when it's cloudy, you'd still get the stream! And in a storm, we would all lose power anyways.

[BethBarany]

I am so excited about this coming technology. I think it will transform how we use everything, including more respect for one of our most valuable resources: light.

[mindermedia]

But how will it work when other lights are shined on it? And how does each led know what device it is talking to?

[raunakdasgupta]

Thnx Mr. Hass it's been an honour to watch your video .recently me with my friends made a lifi project to transmit data using mic it works but also we can't expend distance between transmitter and receiver if you help us we will glad. Finally I must say it is a revolution and if it applicable there will be no problem in data steaming anywhere.

[daltonw.]

Guy: "In the next 2-3 years"
Me: *laughs in 2019*

[josephkoller]

I just got out of high school with an electronics shop...I could have build this their. I don't even think any realizes the implications on batteries and how much we use the Internet. If we(first world countries) cut down on our Internet usage we could charge just a few batteries and have them for night/emergencies. Cutting down our consumption, increasing efficiency, and giving EVERYONE access to this wonderful achievement of human success we call the Internet(our connection with an instant but distant world) are all healthy steps for humanity as a whole:) Let's keep up the good work