Firefly Mini: From Concept to Creation

(This is Part 2 of our 4-Part Series on Firefly Mini. Click here to read Part 1Part 3, or Part 4.)

At Lumos, innovation and design are at the heart of everything we do. With the introduction of the Firefly Mini, we’re thrilled to unveil a product that embodies our commitment to sleek design and smart technology.

In this second installment, we take you behind the scenes of how we developed the Firefly Mini—a versatile, high-performance bike light that’s poised to become a staple in our Lumos ecosystem.

The Initial Vision

The idea for the Firefly Mini started with a straightforward yet ambitious goal: to craft a bike light that's powerful for its size with a more beautiful form factor that could also seamlessly integrate with our existing ecosystem.

Building on the strong foundation of the original Firefly, we aimed to enhance the user experience by tackling some feedback we've received earlier and pushing the boundaries of what we can do.

Different iterations of mini over time

Trying out different LED arrangements

Addressing a Broader Safety Need - Considering Pedestrians

As we delved deeper into our design process, we were also heavily engaged with our customers and beta-testers. Midway, we discovered a growing concern beyond biking: the need for improved visibility while running! This insight led us to delve even deeper, particularly, into pedestrian safety.

According to a New York Times analysis, pedestrian deaths have been steadily INCREASING over the last 10 years in the United States.

While this could be influenced by various factors like higher speed limits on local roads, overall infrastructure, and the growth of smartphone usage, one key factor stood out to us: Visibility at night.

Pedestrians are more at risk in the dark.

The same analysis found a clear pattern: Accidents, collisions, and pedestrian fatalities happen at dusk. 

Visibility, especially at night, still remains a problem to be solved not only for cyclists!

In fact, the data we gathered underscored the importance of having effective lighting for both cyclists and pedestrians (even pets!).

This realization pushed us to design the Firefly Mini not only as a bike light but also as a versatile solution that can enhance visibility for runners and other outdoor enthusiasts.

the solution? clips!

earlier prototype of our clip

Killing 2 birds with one light!

In the end, after perfecting the last prototype and managing to pull off some versatile mounting solutions, we finally managed to balance out everything we wanted: more battery life, a robust casing while maintaining a sleek, low-profile look and versatile enough for other activities! Running, hiking, on your dog's collar or vest and more!

We’re proud to present a product that enhances your cycling/running experience in a way no other light does.

for cyclists

and for everything else

Thank you for following along our journey making Mini a reality!

Two more of these blog posts coming before we launch Mini. Leave us any thoughts and questions in the comments below!

To stay updated with the latest news, tips, and exclusive offers, don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter in the field below.

Till next week!

Eu-wen & The Lumos Team


8 comments

I am an electrical engineer, reliability engineer and software business analyst/tester. More importantly, I’m an avid cyclist, bike builder and have 50 years of cycling experiences from riding across Europe to Mike building. I am an original purchaser of your first helmet and continue to be an ambassador of your innovation. With respect to this light, I think the most versatile method of attachment would be using to Nehme magnets and enabling it to be attached to an outfit of any type at any location without the restriction of a clip which I’ve read other users describe as not being reliable. Expanding this thought if you could also offer metal plates with high adhesion double stick tape, it would be able to adhere to just about any surface

Douglas Furst August 14, 2024

Kickstarter helmet backer here:

Integrating lights into the helmet was one of the main attractions to the company for me. I love the idea of normalizing clip on lights for various safety reasons. I see this product as another hit, especially with using as a rear stay cycling light.

This might end up being a separate product altogether but as a a suggestion, I’d love to see a body light that was diffused or had the ability to be diffused.

Something Round, domed, opaque white, that you could clip on top (or be a separate product) and clipped on to the body. allowing you to be seen but also able to see a soft unobtrusive perimeter around you if used in a constant on mode hands free.

I think there is a level of diffused light that shouldn’t disturb one’s night vision but also be alerting enough to see with in the dark. I wonder if this is the key to normalizing human “daytime running lights”

Either way, thanks for the innovation, looking forward to the future!

JF August 14, 2024

What is the ux? Is it the usual “one button, press x seconds to turn on, cycle 10 useless modes to turn off”? I hate those. Hoping for “automatically turn on when moving and no light detected”. Or at least simple clicky button.

AOV August 14, 2024

Here in the Netherlands on normal E-Bikes (25km/h) we are free to use a helmet.
But honestly i’m thinking of still buying one safety 1st right ? I love the concepts of your products and making the lights connect with an app etc…
I will wait until the mini’s are avaible then I will buy all at once.

Ideas:
But an idea for your future Ultra Helmets is making the mini’s use for the left right indicators to click in your helmet, like you do with the Firefly Helmet.
See if you can make use of taking a phone calls with your helmet or listen to music.
Some helmets on the market have it aswell this way your product would be moere PERFECT ;-)

Dave August 14, 2024

This is looking gret! I would love if you could bring back the front mount turn signal idea with the smaller, lighter lights you had with the original Firefly. Love my current fireflys and can’t want to see these in action.

Chris Nelson August 14, 2024

For winter, an adjustable velcro belt loop for arms maybe waist.

Rick August 13, 2024

I know you all don’t want to hear it but I continue to have issues with the Firefly staying on my bike while riding in the city and hopping off curbs, or taking rough jarring bumps and yes I use the clips!! I’ve lost one of the 5 lights. I’ve bought in to Lumos too owning 2 helmets (an Ultra & an Ultra Fly Pro) – side note I love the Ultra Fly Pro…
Will these lights stay on my bike and allow for easy on and off so when I lock my bike I can grab them and go?? The clips are a pain to pry the light out and the clips have already bent on me.

Al Krikorian August 13, 2024

Create a saddle mount! Thank you

Simon Neo August 13, 2024

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