University goes to the top of the class with new connected lighting technology

Frankfurt, Germany – Students attending Dubai’s Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) need never flick a light switch or search for a tutorial or classroom again. Philips Lighting, (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has equipped the university with state-of the-art connected LED lighting controlled by its Interact Office system. The technology enables faculty staff to control and personalize light settings using a smartphone app, while students can be guided to rooms using lighting-based indoor positioning technology. Such innovations bring to life Philips Lighting’s strategy to deliver new capabilities as value expands from lighting products to software and services.

HBMSU is committed to using technology to make the learning environment more engaging, adaptive and immersive.  Its students receive a combination of web-based and classroom learning that places it at the forefront of modern university education.

University without a light switch

Instead of using light switches, HBMSU’s lighting is controlled in a variety of ways: by occupancy sensors in luminaires that detect people’s presence, switching on and off lighting; by automatic adjustment of light levels according to the availability of natural daylight; by a smartphone/tablet app; or from a central console.

Interact Office enables the university to deliver new experiences and services. The software system is integrated with the university’s Building Management System (BMS) so that all the building systems work together seamlessly. Also, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system is synced with the class schedule so that air conditioning is switched on before a class starts and students don’t have to enter a warm room. As staff or students enter a room, the lights switch on using presence detection and when the room is vacated the lights and HVAC switch off.

“Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University has always been at the forefront of realizing the vision of the Dubai government as it implements forward-looking initiatives that position Dubai as the smartest city in the world. Our collaboration with Philips Lighting means we’re able to deliver a better environment for our students and faculty and a highly personalized learning experience. This lighting network will enable us to intuitively support and complement the university’s needs, both today and into the future. As the first university globally to incorporate this technology we’re paving the way for future smart learning institutions,” said Dr. Mansoor Al Awar, Chancellor of HBMSU.

“Our first collaboration with Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University demonstrates the many ways our connected lighting and software applications can support Dubai’s most forward-thinking university, improving the daily life for staff, students and visitors.  We are not just providing good quality, energy efficient lighting but data-based insights that help the university’s site management

team to maximize use of their building and help to deliver a first class learning environment,” said Goktug Gur, President and CEO of Philips Lighting Middle East and Turkey. 

Can’t find your classroom? Don’t worry, the lights will guide you

The indoor navigation service uses the university’s smartphone app. LED light points, installed in the hallway, lobby areas and corridors, transmit a light code containing their individual geographical location. This achieved by a modulation in the light which is invisible to the human eye but may be

detected by a smart phone camera. The geo-location information is then used by the smartphone app to locate the user’s position in the building and guide them to their destination.

The whole picture, 100% of the time

The university BMS receives data from Interact Office. Information on energy consumption, the performance of each light point and the occupancy of each room can be accessed on a mouse click. These insights help site managers to maintain and maximize the building to its full potential and respond to requests, produce reports and predict trends.