Cucumber has introduced an innovative bamboo-based card designed to provide temporary lighting control for office environments
The card, created primarily for visiting guests, uses Near Field Communication (NFC) to deliver a seamless and intuitive user experience.
By simply tapping the card against their smartphone, users can instantly transform their device into a temporary lighting control interface.
This allows them to switch lights on or off and adjust dimming levels without the need for dedicated hardware or complex setup.
The solution addresses a long-standing issue in modern offices: the clutter and inconvenience caused by physical remote controls in meeting rooms. These remotes are often misplaced, shared inconsistently, or require maintenance.
Cucumber’s bamboo card eliminates these challenges by offering a digital alternative that is both efficient and user-friendly.
Security and control are central to the system. Access is strictly temporary and can be managed to ensure only authorised individuals are able to adjust lighting settings.
This not only enhances convenience but also maintains system integrity, an important factor in shared or corporate spaces.
The product, named the Cu-Remote, also stands out for its environmental credentials. By using bamboo—a rapidly renewable and biodegradable material—Cucumber reinforces its commitment to sustainable design and circular economy principles. The move aligns with growing demand for eco-conscious solutions within the built environment sector.
Cucumber has indicated that this is just the beginning, with further applications of the technology currently in development.
The company is no stranger to innovation, having previously received the prestigious Build Back Better Award in 2025 for its advanced microwave detector technology. The units detect movement based on wave reflections and offer high sensitivity and extended detection ranges.
The operate in the so-called K Band (24 GHz0 which avoid wi-fi interference completely, eliminating false triggering, avoids signal degradation, and delivers superior detection range.
• Learn more about sustainable materials at Circular Lighting Live 2026, Recolight’s flagship conference and exhibition, which takes place on Thursday 8 October 2026 at the Minster Building in the City of London. Free to specifiers, Circular Lighting Live 2025 will feature leading experts, specifiers and policy makers who will share their insights into forthcoming standards and legislation, emerging technologies and new business models. More info: www.circularlighting.live
