Smart lighting has captured an important place in the lighting industry

- Sumit Padmakar Joshi

CEO and MD, Signify Innovations India

What are the latest trends in the lighting sector?

Technology has touched and revolutionized every industry and the lighting industry is no different. It has successfully leveraged new technologies to make lighting more energy efficient and human centric. The biggest transformation was the introduction of LED lighting, that transformed lighting from analog to digital. Apart from being more energy efficient, it is now also controllable. Owing to the growing consciousness about sustainability, both professional and home users are increasingly switching to LED lights.

Thanks to LEDs, lighting today has the potential to become smart. Smart lighting has captured an important place in the lighting industry and with the increasing penetration of IoT technology, the future of the industry is going to be driven by intuitive technologies and virtual assistants. In homes, smart lights can be programmed to suit a consumer's daily schedule using smart assistants or apps. In buildings, lighting control can be integrated into the building management system and can be operated remotely. As architects, designers, and builders are understanding the effect of lighting on humans, they are increasingly also adopting human-centric lighting to help employees feel more relaxed and productive. One can now create a home or an office with lighting that complements our circadian rhythm, that understands and predicts movement as well as ensures that you never have to fumble in the darkness searching for a light switch, and one that can change its appearance as per your mood and requirement.

An extension of IoT technology, LiFi is a lighting technology that ensures high-speed, bi-directional, and wireless data communication using light waves. It is creating an alternate path for internet connectivity in commercial spaces and offices. Signify'sTrulifi systems modulate light waves to transmit data, thus allowing consumers to get the best of both worlds, great quality lighting and consistent data connectivity.

Importantly, all the new lighting trends and technologies are ultimately enabling lower energy consumption that can help us meet our long-term sustainability goals. Dynamically, more and more products are being designed, keeping the sustainability agenda as a central idea.

What are the innovations happening in LED lights and panels?

LED lighting has become a mainstay in commercial spaces, industrial spaces, schools, hospitals, and even homes. However, there is so much more that can be accomplished than simply providing illumination. With the Internet of Things (IoT) gaining in popularity, and advancements in materials and production processes, LED technology is constantly evolving.

3D printing of luminaires is one such innovation that can totally transform how lighting will be manufactured in the near future. Signify's 3D printed Philips luminaires are made from recyclable or recycled polycarbonate materials that have a 47% lower carbon footprint compared with a metal luminaire. The finished product has the high quality you expect from a Philips luminaire but 2/3 weight, which translates to a 35% reduction in the carbon footprint when shipping.

The company has recently expanded its 3D printed lighting range to include downlights as well. This new downlight has a lower carbon footprint compared to traditional downlights, as it is manufactured with recyclable polycarbonate and is also more energy efficient with a 100 lumen/watt efficacy. Customers can also recycle these luminaires at the end of their lifespan, which feeds into the circular economy. They are also available in a wide range of sizes and colours to fit existing ceiling cut-outs.

Connected lighting is another innovation wherein products like Philips Smart WiFi LED bulbs can be used to customize your lighting as per your need. They make it easy to dim, tune and change the colour of your lighting or set schedules to suit your lifestyle. 

In professional applications of lighting, connected systems like Interact have emerged, that use cloud-based software, connected luminaires, and multi-sensors to manage lighting efficiently, gather data from the system and lit environment, and deliver valuable and actionable insights. They can be applied in almost every industry, such as streets, buildings, stadiums, hotels to retail.

Few know that lighting also has a proven remarkable influence on concentration and that choosing the right lighting will improve your productivity and work efficiency. This has led to the emergence of human-centric lighting in offices, that has a proven impact on employee productivity.

How are design and aesthetics gaining traction? What are the latest design trends in lights?

Increasing disposable income, rapid urbanization, evolving home décor trends and designs, and the convenience of application has led to the expansion of the decorative lighting market in India. This category is driven purely by the aspirational and observant needs of the masses.

Talking about the current scenario, lighting trends are dynamic and evolving faster than ever, with something to suit every style and every room, from flashy, in-your-face chandeliers to subtle lamps and bulbs that gently envelop a room in light. Lighting trends ranging from overhead pendants, elegant sculptural shapes and styles and bespoke fittings are the flavour of the season. 

Customers are now also experimenting with the shape of lights. Bulbs are now available in multiple shape options, apart from the traditional round shape. We now see T-shaped bulbs in multiple sizes and wattages, in addition to curved bulbs. Downlights is another growing category in India and are very popular amongst people building new homes or making structural renovations. Currently, downlights are only available in two shapes - round or square, that are installed as single units offering functional and ambient lighting. Signify has launched India's first hexagon-shaped downlight called Philips HexaStyle downlight that can be arranged in unique patterns. It is redefining the usage of downlights as a design element as well, in addition to offering just functional and ambient lighting. Customers can use their imagination to create unlimited designs in their ceiling by placing the hexagonal shaped downlights in different configurations.

How is smart lighting leading the way to sustainability?

Smart lights are also smarter for the planet, as they are more energy efficient than conventional lights. Simply using energy-efficient LED technology can cut lighting-related energy use by up to 50%-a significant number, because 10-20% of the energy a building uses typically goes to lighting. Connected lighting can increase these savings even further to 80%. But it's not only LED light sources that make a difference—it's also sensor-driven smart systems. These smart systems help reduce one's carbon footprint, as they can be switched off while not in use, thereby reducing wasteful usage. For instance, Philips WiZ lights can be scheduled to turn on or off as per your need, thus saving on the unnecessary electricity consumption. A similar effect can be achieved in buildings through use of sensors and connected systems.

Taking sustainable choices another step further, one can now also install smart lights in 3D printed lighting pendants and ceiling lights, that can be printed and recycled on demand. This highly flexible and more sustainable form of manufacturing uses a 100% recyclable polycarbonate material that has a 47% lower carbon footprint than a traditionally built metal luminaire. The combinations of materials and textures offered by 3D printing is countless and only limited by one's imagination. Consumers can design light fixture in their favorite colour, finish, and texture for a truly unique and bespoke design.

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