April 2018 Lighting Journal
common problem remains compatibility. When two different protocols or technologies are installed, the system becomes inoperable. By introducing systems that are compatible with several different protocols, we therefore alleviate the need for bespoke solutions – making home automation systems much easier and more accessible to homeowners. Some manufacturers are rising to this challenge and are now producing these types of systems. However, the real challenge is to make smart systems compatible with all the major protocols available and only then will home automation begin to be connected and integrated. To highlight, again, what we’re doing in this area, we provide two different ranges of smart solutions. The first is the upgraded INGENIUM BLU Generation 2, which applies Bluetooth 4.1 technology to control light fixtures in a home. It employs a mesh network topology, which is a key network architecture that has extended the coverage area when compared to the first-generation model. It has the advantage that it is very simple to use. For example, it will switch lighting on or off, dim lights, set lighting scenes, and control the timing, However, it only operates on a local level and cannot be controlled from a distance over Wi Fi. However, our INGENIUM ZB range, which again uses ZigBee protocol, can be linked to Wi Fi. This enables users to control multiple devices simultaneously via Amazon Alexa, Google Home. The range also has sensors and dimmer/relay modules to convert existing circuits, without needing to invest in multiple smart light sources as the whole circuit is upgraded with the simple addition of one component. By consistently investing in the development of smart systems, we can ensure they become much more accessible and functional for users. However, as quickly as technology evolves, smart systems and components can just as easily become outdated. While the design process for new smart solutions is rigorous, as the technology incorporated within the system develops so does the overall smart home automation technology – making new options available that were not before. This is a vital process, as the majority of new technologies go through many refinements before they reach a stage of being widely accepted. Moreover, this advancing technology, especially in wireless technology, can also bring down the cost of smart home instal-
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lations. By developing the compatibility and ease of installation through smart modules, manufacturers are making automated systems more accessible to the general homeowner.
LACK OF UNDERSTANDING
Many consumers still do not know how to integrate smart lighting into existing systems and do not understand the variety of benefits on offer. Education on the many benefits of smart technology needs to start with lighting companies, like ours. Smart lighting not only reduces the energy use of an average household by 50%, it also lasts longer [2]. A typical incandescent bulb lasts an average of 1,000 hours, while a smart light bulb can last up to 40,000 hours, according to Smart FX [3]. Making an impact on the domestic market is very difficult because it is a lifestyle choice. But one of the best ways to reach the consumer is through the designer, who can share the benefits of smart automated systems and the ease of integrating it within the home to the end user. Given our increasingly hectic lifestyles and general enthusiasm for new, time-saving gadgets in the home, it is surprising
there is still a relatively low take-up of home automation in the UK. The answer is to develop easy-to-use smart home-automated lighting that makes the homeowner’s life easier, and is fully explained to them. By ensuring the myths of smart lighting are expelled, eventually smart home technology will become a common feature in UK homes. Glen Krise is managing director of Megaman
REFERENCES [1] ‘Connected homes’, October 2017, https:// www.moneysupermarket. com/home-insurance/ connected-homes/ [2] ‘Gartner Says Smart Lighting Has the Potential to Reduce Energy Costs by 90 Percent’, July
2015, https://www. gartner.com/newsroom/ id/3093717 [3] ‘How much does smart lighting save?’, https:// www.smfx.co/blogs/ smartfx/97770118-howmuch-money-does-smartlighting-save
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