LIGHTING
As highlighted, it has been estimated that there will be
50 million devices connected to the internet by 2020
and lighting devices will be a significant part of this
statistic. Potentially the data generated through the
lighting devices may become more important than the
lighting, particularly in commercial applications such
as offices and retail. Due to the convergence between
lighting and IT, it has even been suggested that there
is potential that the increasing services developed
through the IoT and data analytics could lead to the
lighting being given away for free and the integrated
system sold to customers.
Li-Fi
Li-Fi communication is like Wi-Fi communication but
it uses visible light to communicate rather than radio
waves and it is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi. It utilises
LED lighting to communicate with other devices
within offices, trains and homes. Li-Fi has already
been trialled in the Paris office of Societe General
Bank and in the Paris Metro. Li-Fi has advantages and
limitations. Security is enhanced as Li-Fi does not
work through walls and will not work outdoors (during
daylight hours) The applications for Li-Fi are extensive
with companies such as Apple already investigating
including Li-Fi capability in new iPhones as the
technology can be used to connect mobile devices such
as phones and laptops. The new technology can also
be used in healthcare because the Li-Fi won’t interfere
with medical devices and instruments and in mobile
phones and, laptops.
Privacy and data security
Privacy issues and data security needs to be managed
carefully. The lighting industry can easily capture the
data with sensors and connected light points. The
end user should always own their data. Data enabled
lighting services should be used to improve outcomes
for the business or individual.
“Many people are becoming concerned
about their privacy and how their data is
being used, sometimes without explicit
consent, to tell them what to do or what to
buy. So, while these technologies will have
a large number of positive impacts, privacy
concerns will remain key challenges to be
addressed not only by companies but also
by the society as a whole. Can we trust
market players? What should be the role of
governments? Do we need additional laws
or regulations? All these questions don’t
have clear answers today and will require
debates and discussions in our societies.”
Gilles Thonet, Head of ICT Standards Coordination,
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
Source: Lighting Council Australia Illuminations
Newsletter - April 2017.
Lighting is already going through a period of significant
disruption due to light source technology changes
associated with LEDs. This rate of change is expected to
accelerate as the lighting industry globally adopts and
converges data and lighting.
Richard Mulcahy, CEO, Lighting Council Australia
Richard Mulcahy was appointed CEO of Lighting
Council Australia January 30 2017. He is a former
Member of Parliament and has served as CEO of six
industry bodies. He is also an Adjunct Professor at
the University of Queensland.
GOVLINK » ISSUE 2 2017
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