Why We Have a Lab
In our Oslo office we have a dedicated space called The Lab. It has become an important place to learn making new stuff, test emerging technologies and build fun things.
Working in the digital space is not only limited to screens on different devices. Being able to explore the intersection between software and hardware is as important as ever. We will see a ton of new connected devices and a tighter integration between software and hardware in the years to come.
But that’s only a small fraction of the reasons for keeping a hardware lab. We have a lab because it’s fun and we care about making things. For us it’s vital to keep a cultural backbone of experimentation and a place to immerse ourselves into the unknown. To be able to project digital possibilities into the physical space is the ultimate innovation platform. A place to learn how to make new things, test emerging technologies and run fun experiments.
Things we make in the lab:
Drones
We’re big fans of the flying computers bound to overtake us all in the future. The Lab is the birthplace to quite a few of these, including drones with mounted HD cameras connected to VR glasses, and drones made for delivering stuff. And we are serious about it! Check out flyingpinata.co and this video:
3D printing
You can’t call it a lab without the device that will make all of manufacturing obsolete in the future. Our 3D printers are running continuously, producing everything from drone components and mock devices to Star Trek accessories and Christmas ornaments.
Laser briefcase
While it sound like the accessory of a Bond villain, it’s not nearly as deadly. The briefcase packs the components needed for creating custom laser projections that can be used for visual installations. Pretty cool stuff!
Kinetic-controlled LED screen
For a party we had we wanted a giant LED screen that would show light effects based on the beats from the music. We even took it a step further and added kinetic controls, making the screen mirror people’s moves on the dance floor. The screen is made up of over 5000 small connected LED lights.
Door-opening Slack bot
What do you do when you have an office doorbell that needs to be opened by answering a phone call every time? You create a Slack-bot that connects with a Raspberry PI and does the work for you. Of course it also supports “Pizza mode” which can be activated to let in the delivery person and notify us about the warm cheese pizza that is on its way.
In short: Having a physical space dedicated to experiments, testing and prototyping is a great way to establish room for exploration and an essential part of a dynamic creative culture.
