There’s been a great deal of conversation surrounding the Internet of Things (IoT), along with numerous experiments. However, thus far, we haven’t seen a “killer application†emerge that has triggered skyrocketing demand, caused prices to plummet, and spurred the development of a suite of related applications. Yet, there are hints suggesting that, counterintuitively, connected lighting might just be that transformative application...
It’s often said that by 2020, the IoT was anticipated to encompass between 2 to 5 billion devices. Many believe that IoT will become ubiquitous, impacting nearly every facet of modern life. So far, IoT applications have been intriguing, but they haven’t yet reached the critical mass predicted by experts to ignite widespread market adoption. Currently, there aren’t enough use cases offering clear economic benefits to kickstart the self-sustaining growth of the IoT market.
The industry has made strides in reducing the costs of connectivity, but progress hasn’t been rapid enough to meet growing demand or drive down prices through mass production to trigger a true market breakthrough. Given the vast array of potential applications, a single solution won’t be sufficient to achieve the economies of scale necessary for significant cost efficiencies. What’s needed now is a singular application capable of generating demand for billions of devices.
Let’s consider networked lighting.
Artificial lighting has been around for millennia; electric lighting began in 1880. Today, virtually every corner of the globe—from every continent to every country—has some form of electric lighting. However, traditional incandescent bulbs consume excessive amounts of energy, and as energy costs rise, the industry and governments alike are seeking lower-consumption alternatives. Compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) were initially the answer, but it became apparent that LEDs were the logical next step.
In an interview, Daniel Cooley, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Silicon Labs’ IoT division, noted that the growing success of LED lighting technology is paving the way for connected lighting. The key lies in LED manufacturers learning how to integrate electronic components into the bulbs while simultaneously reducing costs. “Once that’s achieved,†Cooley remarked, “it becomes simpler to add additional chips and create smart, cost-effective, yet efficient lighting solutions.â€
Could connected lighting be the IoT’s killer app?
Cooley further explained that incorporating IoT connectivity into the lighting business model offers a positive return on investment. Government mandates to reduce energy consumption play a role here, and being able to control individual bulbs makes it easier to meet these standards. Turning lights off when no one is in the room—or even in the hallway—via remote control through a mobile app can dramatically cut energy usage.
Networked lighting eliminates the need to directly connect light switches to luminaires. This not only reduces the amount of required wiring but also simplifies the electrical design of buildings while providing greater flexibility in fixture and switch installations.
However, the advantages of connected lighting extend beyond mere cost savings. Manufacturers can integrate technologies like Bluetooth beacons into light bulbs, enabling retailers to quickly and easily set up location-based services simply by swapping out the bulbs. Connected lighting allows for customizable color and brightness settings, giving businesses such as homeowners, car dealerships, and restaurants the ability to tailor their environments.
Despite the promising future of connected lighting, challenges remain. Standards and protocols for interoperability still need refinement to ensure seamless integration across different ecosystems. Additionally, privacy concerns loom large, as connected devices raise questions about data security and user privacy.
Nevertheless, the potential of connected lighting to transform industries is undeniable. As cities grow smarter and more connected, lighting systems could serve as a backbone for IoT infrastructure, offering both practical and innovative solutions. From energy management to enhanced customer experiences, connected lighting stands poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the IoT landscape.
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