Pose Lamp — Thomas Knoepffler

ABOUT

Thomas Knoepffler is a Design Technologist based in Miami, Florida. His work explores the intersection of materials, interactions, and environments using emergent technologies—such as AI, responsive systems, and digital fabrication. His work spans across mediums, ranging from parametric bio-hybrid products to ambient ergonomic devices to 3D procedural world builders.

He holds a MS in Design Technology from Cornell University and a BS in Integrated Design & Media from NYU, as well as professional experience in UI/UX design and product management for early-stage startups. He has mentored aspiring designers and volunteered with local creative communities alike, dedicated to making design matter for the tomorrows to come.

Rhino 3D, Grasshopper, Blender
Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma
3D Printing, Laser Cutting
Arduino, Raspberry Pi
HTML, CSS, JavaScript
Python, C#

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POSE LAMP

BACK

POSE LAMP

 Cornell University, Cornell Tech
 Product Studio, Fall 2025
— TECH 5900

DESCRIPTION

A responsive lighting device that adjusts its front-facing gradient in response to the user’s posture with respect to the front of their laptop. It provides gentle, ambient cues to remind users to maintain upright posture.

Poor posture leads to back pain and fatigue among professionals and students who spend long hours at computers. Many users grow frustrated with disruptive posture aids such as vibrating wearables and constant app notifications. Pose Lamp offers a subtle ambient solution that uses gentle light changes to encourage better habits without interrupting focus. By integrating with laptop cameras, it transforms a simple desk lamp into a portable wellness tool that fits seamlessly into daily routines.

The development started with exploring health and wellness challenges and mapping competitors through a business framework. User interviews revealed key pain points, especially back strain from prolonged sitting. From over 100 initial concepts, the lamp stood out for its potential to deliver non-disruptive ambient cues. The design progressed through iterative prototyping: laser-cut models tested form factor stability and visual appeal, Wizard-of-Oz simulations validated user responses to light changes, and further testing addressed privacy and hardware feasibility. This blend of design thinking and rapid experimentation advanced the product from initial sketches to a functional prototype grounded in user feedback and practical constraints.

Pose Lamp uses ml5.js for real-time posture detection via the laptop camera. It tracks shifts in the shoulders and nose to trigger smooth color gradients on a diffused NeoPixel LED strip controlled by an ESP32 microcontroller. Nine prototype shapes were laser-cut, with the final selection favoring compact and stable designs that users found visually appealing and easy to place on desks. Testing confirmed that soft light changes quickly prompt posture adjustments, with users strongly preferring the non-jarring cues. MQTT enables seamless communication between the web app and hardware, while local processing protects user privacy. The result is a reliable, user-friendly system that prioritizes elegant design simplicity.

Pose Lamp is positioned as a professional desk accessory sold directly to consumers. Optional software subscriptions unlock advanced tracking features. Health-conscious working adults form the core early adopter group. An app-only version can validate initial market demand. Future iterations will integrate with tools such as Zoom for meeting-specific modes. Overall, the project presents a design-driven approach to posture wellness focused on subtle, lasting habit improvement. The device has strong potential to expand into a broader line of ambient health products centered on ergonomic well-being.