The Mighty Bat Night Light is the result of three weeks of intense exploration, alien-engagement, and research into non-human time-scales, sensations, and ecosystems. Deep in the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica at the La Selva Biological Research Station, the team studied the native insectivorous proboscis bats that roost in the wooden ceilings of Estacion del Rio. A 24 hour ethogram of the bats’ behavior and observations of the context around it revealed a delightful insight. At particular times of the day and when there were gusts of wind, the bats would perform an unusual and delightful wiggle dance.  

The Mighty Bat Night Light translates these wiggle movements of Proboscis bats into moments of connection that children can experience at their homes. Designed to mimic bat behavior, the light turns on at night when the bat is removed from its roost. The child may cuddle with its bat friend while the night light shines. In the morning, the bat is returned to its roost to turn off the light. During the day while the bat hangs from its roost, it wiggles in real time in sync with its live bat counterpart at the conservation. Using computer vision, the live bats’ movements are interpreted and transmitted via a mesh system to Mighty Bat Night Lights around the world.  

Children are the future stewards of the environment and this night light gives them the opportunity to learn more about a creature that has long been vilified in popular culture, while simultaneously investing in their conservation efforts.