Who Controls the Light? AI, Connectivity, and the Battle for the Future of Lighting By Cristian Suvagau
Nearly 150 years ago, Edison’s filament lamp demonstrated the commercial viability of electrical lighting and helped launch an industry built on a simple value proposition: providing illumination safely, efficiently, and reliably. Manufacturers developed lamps and luminaires, control companies delivered control systems and building owners determined how their infrastructure would be operated. Today, a fundamentally different model is beginning to emerge. Lighting is no longer just a source of illumination, but a broader, connected platform where modern lighting systems can provide data (like occupancy sensing and energy monitoring), services (like asset management and positioning), analytics and communications. Across all industrial market sectors, lighting is evolving from a building service to a connected infrastructure and an interface for artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the emergence of visiblelight communication (i.e. LiFi) demonstrates that connected lighting networks can support sensing, communication, 12
designing lighting
positioning and analytics functions beyond providing illumination. Although this transformation may seem technological, its implications for the lighting industry are economic. At first glance, this evolution brings real benefits for the lighting industry. Large technology companies bring significant investment, innovation and user-friendly experiences, providing conveniences and functionality otherwise harder to achieve. Digital platforms (i.e. Amazon Alexa and Google Home) are increasingly positioning residential lighting as one component of a broader connected environment. Connectivity, interoperability, and user experience therefore become essential. Open standards such as Matter, developed through the Connectivity Standards Alliance (that represents over three hundred lighting and technology companies) are helping build consumer confidence when choosing products from different manufacturers.