sunflower is the $8,000 robotic umbrella, music player and security camera that follows the sun

as the world’s first autonomous robotic shade, the shadecraft ‘sunflower’ enhances internet of things to deliver a smart home ecosystem for the outdoors.

tim spears January 10, 2018 2 min

a startup called shadecraft unveiled sunflower, the world’s first autonomous robotic shade that tracks the sun, at the consumer electronics show (CES) on tuesday. the shadecraft ‘sunflower’ enhances internet of things to deliver a smart home ecosystem for the outdoors. its multiple sensors analyze data in real time to ensure the shade follows the sun, as well as closing when in danger of high wind speeds. on top of its shades, the technology features solar panels so that as it tracks the sun, it collects and stores energy for a variety of modern capabilities. the advanced umbrella was first previewed at the CES 2017.

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it has an integrated 360° camera for security and image capturing purposes
all images courtesy of shadecraft

with batteries that can last more than 72 hours without any solar energy, the shadecraft ‘sunflower’ has the ability to be freely and easily moved wherever the user desires shade. this collected energy also supplies the host of modern technology that makes the umbrella a part of a smart home ecosystem. it includes an integrated 360° camera for security and image capturing, controlled lighting, speakers, and multiple charging capacities. furthermore, although enabled with bluetooth and WIFI, the system optionally operates with cellular data in order to offer its own internet source.

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enhancing internet of things, the technology forms part of a smart home ecosystem

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the smart home technology is bluetooth and WIFI enabled

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speakers allow for artificial intelligence communication and audio to be streamed

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its sensors analyze data to ensure the shade follows the sun and closes in high winds

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shadecraft’s sunflower was first shown at CES 2017

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the top of the shade features solar panels that collect and store the energy

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an integrated 360-degree high-def camera enables consumers to capture special outdoor moments

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alerts and notifications of weather conditions keep consumers aware and empowered at all times

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the sunflower features controlled lighting and speakers