By: Zoe Melnyk
In 2011, Professor Harald Haas introduced the concept of Li-fi and it blew everyone’s mind.
Except for the fact that it didn’t because most people didn’t hear about it.
Haas argued that instead of building the Internet around Wi-fi, we could simply use the infrastructure that we already have and collect data through an existing outlet, such as LED lights.
So yes, you could potentially receive Internet access by flicking on your light.
This breakthrough could largely increase access to the Internet around the world. As of right now, only about 40% of people on this planet have Internet access. With Li-fi, that number would more than double to 83%.
Five years later and Haas’ concept of Li-fi is finally gaining momentum. Especially after the release of his TED Talk, which explains everything us common folk need to know about Li-fi and the importance of Internet access globally.
