Illumbrella - An Umbrella that Shines the Lives by Lighting, Charging, Protecting and Empowering Communities

Arjit Amol More

Abstract: Umbrella that shines the lives i.e. Illumbrella is a multipurpose smart umbrella that transforms a familiar, everyday object into an affordable utility platform for lighting, cooling, charging, hygienic sheltering, public communication and source of income. It was conceived in 2019 after observing the realities of village life during monsoons when rains coincide with power cuts and people are left in darkness without a free hand to hold a torch. The Illumbrella integrates LED lighting on the canopy ribs, a compact DC fan for heat protection, and a solar-to-USB charging module built around the IC 7805 regulator. A detachable tarpaulin sheet expands the protective footprint to cover the stall or walking area, improving hygiene and blocking sideways rain. In addition, the canopy surface doubles as advertising real estate for social messaging or sponsor branding, enabling donation-based distribution models. This paper documents the narrative arc from problem observation to proof-of-concept, presents design details and discusses performance, field use-cases, safety, and scalability for rural and urban contexts. The work exemplifies grassroots, frugal innovation and demonstrates how small, human-centered improvements can unlock outsized social value.

Keywords: Illumbrella, Smart umbrella, umbrella with light, umbrella with mobile charging, umbrella for street vendors, hygiene tarp, frugal innovation, rural resilience, grassroots innovation, public advertising, solar for mobile charging

How to Cite?: Arjit Amol More, "Illumbrella - An Umbrella that Shines the Lives by Lighting, Charging, Protecting and Empowering Communities", Volume 14 Issue 8, August 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1445-1448, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25826120104, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25826120104