AI-powered digital candle simulates flickering flame on 144 LEDs
Kevin Bates has released a $149 digital candle that uses an AI model to create a continuously changing flickering flame on a grid of LEDs. It offers a safer alternative to a real candle, though its price and limited ability to reproduce real candlelight may make it a harder sell than Bates’ gaming devices.
The 10-inch device has 144 amber LEDs arranged in a 9-by-16 grid, with adjustable brightness, and runs on an ESP32-S3 chip powered through USB-C; it has no rechargeable battery. Its small neural network was trained on footage of a real candle, generating a flame simulation on the fly that does not repeat. The candle is open source and can also be repurposed for functions such as a clock, notification display or Conway’s Game of Life.
In short
- Kevin Bates’ digital candle simulates a flickering flame with AI.
- It costs $149 and uses 144 amber LEDs.
- Open-source software allows other uses, including a clock.
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The case for
The digital candle offers a safer way to create a warm, flickering ambience without an open flame, which may matter in homes where real candles pose a fire risk. Its changing, non-repeating light and open-source design also give it creative uses beyond decoration, and some buyers may value that novelty enough to justify the price.
The case against
At $149, it costs far more than many conventional candles or simple LED alternatives, while its grid of amber lights may not convincingly reproduce the depth and warmth of a real flame. Its USB-C power and lack of a rechargeable battery also limit where it can be used, making the safety and novelty benefits less compelling for buyers seeking straightforward candlelight.
Explained simply
Electric candles use lights to imitate a real flame, avoiding an open flame and the risks that come with it. This device uses 144 amber LEDs and a small AI model trained on footage of a candle to vary the light continuously.
It was made by Kevin Bates, known for small gaming devices. The candle connects to power by USB-C and has no rechargeable battery; its software is open source, so it can also be adapted for other displays, such as a clock.
The device costs $149, so its price may affect how appealing it is compared with a real candle or simpler electric alternatives. Its light is a simulation, and how closely it resembles candlelight may matter to people considering it.
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Originally published by The Verge as “This $149 digital candle uses AI to accurately simulate a flickering flame”.