How can outdoor lighting evolve from "single-function" to "mobile beacon"?

When collapsed, it's as compact as a water bottle, but when expanded, it transforms into a "mobile streetlight" reaching 930mm tall. This unconventional telescopic camping lantern is quietly changing the boundaries of outdoor lighting experiences.

When a camping lantern raised over 6 million RMB in a month on Kickstarter and Indiegogo and was selected as one of Kickstarter's top 30 projects in the design and technology category for 2022, the outdoor lighting industry took notice.

This multifunctional telescopic camping lantern, called OuTask, redefines the form and function of outdoor lighting with its revolutionary telescopic design and technological inspiration.

01 Technological Inspiration: When Sci-Fi Appearance Meets Practical Function

At first glance, the OuTask telescopic camping lantern resembles more like an exploration tool from a sci-fi film than a traditional lighting device. Its sleek, space-age design overturns preconceived notions of what a camping lantern should be.

The lantern's telescopic structure is its most striking feature. When collapsed, it's the size of a 500ml water bottle and fits easily into the side pocket of a backpack. When fully extended, it reaches a length of 930mm, nearly 1 meter in height.

This design solves the traditional dilemma between portability and functionality in outdoor lighting.

The lamp head supports 360-degree horizontal rotation and 180-degree vertical flipping, providing unparalleled adjustability. The magnetic base allows it to securely attach to any metal surface, freeing the user's hands.

02 Outdoor Practice: The Lighting Revolution from "Headache" to "Liberation"

For many campers, traditional headlamps provide more than just illumination; they also cause the problem of insects gathering in their faces. The OuTask retractable camping lamp effectively solves this problem by positioning the light source away from the user's face.

In practice, users simply unroll the pole and insert it into the side pocket of their backpack to create a "mobile streetlight." This design provides stable and wide-ranging illumination for group travel and campsite setup.

One user commented, "It's completely changed the way our team hikes at night. No longer does everyone need to carry a headlamp; a single telescopic light is enough to illuminate the entire group's path."

This practicality reflects the product design's deep understanding of real-world outdoor scenarios.

03 Design Philosophy: From Personal Needs to Industry Innovation

OuTask's founder, Chen Yong, is an avid outdoor enthusiast. His graduation project—a camping light—was inspired by an unexpected encounter with buffalo while camping.

He was determined to design a product that would give peace of mind to those spending the night in the wild.

Like many Shenzhen startups, OuTask faced significant challenges in turning its ideas into reality. The team had to juggle multiple roles, including designers, product managers, and quality engineers.

"We've experienced some tough times," the team admitted. From its successful crowdfunding campaign last September to the start of production in May of this year, the journey has been long and arduous.

04 Market Response: Industry Trends Revealed by Crowdfunding Success

OuTask's success on crowdfunding platforms reveals the outdoor equipment market's desire for innovative, integrated solutions. This product strikes a perfect balance between portability and versatility.

This lighting product meets the core needs of outdoor enthusiasts for lightweight, versatile equipment. Its success also reflects consumers' growing preference for innovative products that enhance their outdoor experiences.

Industry experts believe that this retractable design concept may influence the future development of more outdoor equipment. From lighting to other camping tools, adjustable, multifunctional integrated designs are becoming a new industry trend.

As outdoor activities become a lifestyle for more and more people, lighting equipment is no longer just a functional tool but an integral part of the outdoor experience. The success of the OuTask retractable camping lantern demonstrates that there is always room for innovative designs that address real user pain points.

In the future, as technology advances and consumer demands evolve, we may see more products that integrate technology, user-friendly design, and outdoor practicality.