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    Not your father’s lighting company

     

    12 July 2019


    Signify gathers European reporters at Eindhoven High-Tech Campus and unveils cutting-edge innovations in lighting

     

    More than 40 reporters from 12 European countries recently visited our design center in Eindhoven to learn about – and get hands-on with – our latest innovations. Top among them was Trulifi, a range of LiFi systems billed as the world’s fastest, most reliable LiFi systems commercially available.

    ionnovations day image 1

    Also making its debut was the BrightSites IoT smart pole. This unassuming pole literally brings the IoT to the high street, by discreetly housing all manner of sensors, cameras and telecommunication equipment.
     

    The new Philips Hue with Bluetooth capabilities also made an (under embargo) appearance. This new development allows users to set the mood by controlling up to ten lights in a single room, with Bluetooth-enabled bulbs.
     

    And rounding out the innovations was an interactive briefing on new light recipes for retailers; light that keeps food fresher longer!

    High-speed Internet through your lights


    Trulifi was the announcement capturing the most attention. It brings together the worlds of lighting and telecommunications and underlines the fact that Signify is not your father’s lighting company.

     

    Instead of using radio signals, Trulifi uses light waves to offer fast and secure two-way wireless communications at speeds far above most conventional wireless technologies."

    Instead of using radio signals (such as WiFi, 4G/5G, Bluetooth, etc.), Trulifi uses light waves to enable highly reliable, secure two-way wireless communications at speeds far above most conventional workplace wireless technologies. In doing so, it solves many reliability and security issues often associated with Radio Frequency wireless systems.
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    Summarizing the significance of the new technology, Olivia Qiu, Signify Chief Innovation Officer, remarked, “Wherever there’s light, there can now be wireless communication."
    innovations day 6

    Claerhout Communication Campus, a Belgian marketing and communications agency, has retrofitted Philips LED luminaires with the Trulifi 6002 in a large meeting room in its office in Ghent.
     

    Business Development Manager Christoph Ruys said, “We’ve gone from offering our staff and clients 5 Mbps to a blistering 150 Mbps, and we can roam around freely as one light point hands off to another seamlessly.
     

    He was quick to point out the security benefits, saying that his company often handled confidential customer information, such as earnings announcements: “While it’s encrypted, Trulifi adds an extra layer of security as light can’t pass through walls – so what’s in the room, stays in the room.”

    At home and on the streets

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    Think of the BrightSites IoT smartpole, as a streetlight on steroids; the BrightSites pole can provide 5G connectivity, public WiFi, monitor the environment such as air quality, and even detect anti-social behavior. What’s more, it can generate income from telecommunications services and through advertising!

    And of course, it also provides high-quality Philips LED light as well. With one of these in your street, you’ll never lose your mobile data signal again.
    innovations day 3

    A gateway drug to the Hue experience."

    Reporters attending the media event were also given a special briefing, under embargo, on the new Philips Hue bulb that adds Bluetooth control. Of course, you can still use your Philips Hue bridge to enjoy the full Hue experience. Bluetooth is simply an addition – an easy way to get people started with smart home lighting. Yesterday, I overheard someone call it “a gateway drug to the Hue experience.”  That’s pretty accurate.

    Philips Hue with Bluetooth makes it easy to experiment and have fun with light at home. All you need is the bulb and the smartphone you already have.
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    The fourth member of the “Fab Four innovations” was a briefing on new light recipes, which can actually help retailers keep costs down and reduce food waste. Because these aren’t just fancy lights that make meats and vegetables look good, they actually slow down the aging process. This gives retailers a longer shelf life for their products, thus extending the selling period.

     

    This can be as much as 50% for certain cheeses,” explained Simone Poort, an Applications Scientist, R&D at Signify.

    Industry analysts get the scoop


    Some 32 industry analysts were also briefed on Trulifi. And the day after the media day, the Innovation Day announcements and demonstrations were repeated for more than 200 staff.
     

    One employee said, “Please do this more! I work in corporate IT and sometimes I forget that I work in a really cool and innovative company.
     

    Another said, “This is a session that every employee should experience. And maybe it should be organized more often.
     

    Well, in response to that last request, we’re exploring holding another such Innovation Day later this year.
     

    And oh boy, we have some hot tech up our sleeves. Can’t wait.

    About the author:

    Neil Pattie

    Neil Pattie

    Corporate Communications

    About Signify

     

    Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2023, we had sales of EUR 6.7 billion, approximately 32,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for seven consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for four consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.

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