Highlights from Light + Building 2018

As ever there are more exhibitors than is possible to see in only 6 days, but below are a few quick highlights of what we perceive will make an impact in the near future. Here is LVX's top 10 for 2018.

1. Reactive Colour

I Guzzini has released an auto-tuning colour system that allows lighting designers to condition the original colour environment of a painting, (en plein air; inside under candle light), and then take inputs of the actual light in the gallery/exhibition space in a given moment and adjust the lighting system to colour optimise the respective artworks. Look out ERCO. This is as magnificent piece of technology for lighting designers of galleries.

2. High Definition Power-line Communications "HD-PLC"

VS Lighting Solutions has released a LON based High definition 24Mb powerline solution capable of delivering video over powerline. This is a great enabler for smart city in locations where fibre is not an option, (regional transport pick up points and the like). We are really looking forward to seeing what this can do.

3. Wireless Control Systems for Buildings

If you base your business around wired building control systems, (C-Bus, Dynalite, DALI Controls), look over your shoulder because everything is going wireless and the race started a while ago. Finally we are seeing the much needed development of wireless controls that enable systemisation of existing installations. The days of wired controls are numbered.

What may buy the traditional lighting controls companies a bit of time at least is that most new wireless lighting controls technologies are proprietary and as clever as they are, being proprietary and not inpteroperable with other luminaire technologies will constrain uptake. As we know, it is not often as a lighting designer that a building is designend with only 1 brand of luminaire. We will see how the design industry responds to this in the coming months and years.

4. "Hue"

"Hue" form Philips is a really funky, simple to use small/medium scale lighting control system for fit-outs, hospitality and residential applications that comes with a broad array of luminaire options that are self-discoverable in a geo-zone and is capable of interfacing with all manner of consumer technology from Google Home out. Its great for buildings where cabled control is not feasible, (old homes and heritage fit-outs). It's going into my home as soon as I can find the time.

5. Remote adjustable beam angles and optics 

Targetti has released an optical system that can not only dim and colour change, but can also adjust the beam angle of a luminaire through the control system. This is a very cool and useful innovation for gallery and architectural fit-out applications. No more ladders....

6. Drone Servicing Technology for Roadway and Area Lighting

Swedish company Strihl has released a drone based servicing solution for high access roadway and area luminaires. The drone lands on the luminaire, releases its physical connection and removes the luminaire entirely and subsequently replaces it with new. A great innovation so long as the legislative framework around drones is not a constraint.

7. Services Integrated Lighting Modules

Italian super-brand, Artemide, & Canadian company, Price Industries, have collaborated to produce a new surface, recessed & suspended system capable of carrying multiple building services: lighting, speakers, emergency lighting, EWIS and even fire systems. A great solution to declutter the ceiling and construction site, so long as the trades can work out how to price it and who does what. 

8. Smartserver IoT

US tech comapny Echelon has released its new smartserver IoT which is a modular multi-channel, multi-media, (PLC, FT, RF), Linux based and a whole lot faster than its predecessor. Finally there may be a solution for smart city that can aggregate physical infranstructure in the field, reducing points of failure and cost.

9. Smart Camera & Building Mapping IoT Interfacing Technology

Perhaps having realised that once you are as big as Siemens Group it is nnot easy to change direction quickly Osram have entered into several technology partnerships with startups around Munich. Of extreme interest to us in the building and asset management space is a new piec of technology that is the closes thing I've seen to answer our need for an IoT - BIM model system wiht visual cues for identification of devices and servicing. The mapping piece still needs to be played out but we look forward to collaborating with Osram on pilot projects for a few of our clients. Camera modules integrated into exterior luminaires is also a great innovation and combined with different visual recognition technology, (people cars, bikes, trucks), is a great enhancement for security as well as traffic counting & parking management.

10. Too Many Lighting Companies & Changing Business Models

The final take away message from Light + Building is that there are simply too many lighting companies in the market for anyone's good. Within market sectors: industrial, commercial, architectural, controls - there are so many companies that offer nearly the same thing that one fears for the market. to that end there is always one great question that noone likes to talk about at Light + Building: "If I specify or purchase your lights, how will you support me?" Being from the antipodes this question is more prescient that ever and is a key motivator & in fact decision making question that comes well ahead of money or technology when it comes to deciding with our clients what products to use. If you can answer this question in the short term you will survive, and in the medium to long term you may prosper, but you can't afford to stop innovating.

The next big innovation in lighting will be the business model. particularly the exterior market as it integrates into larger smart city applications the Software as a Service "SaaS" model is taking hold. Noone is quite sure how to manage liability currently in terms of service, particularly in the multi-function pole space, and this will be a constraint for the next few years until risk and probity issues can be adequately resolved, but nothing is more certain than the lighting industry is reapidly changing in all areas, with technology being only a small part of it.

That's a wrap.