The evolution of lighting has been remarkable over the last decade, but what will the industry look like in the years to come? We offer a holistic approach to advances in lighting design and technology.

Connectivity and IoT

Innovative technology means that our tools are increasingly connected, controlled and analysed as part of the Internet of Things. This connectivity will increase further as technology develops, creating a world where everything is microscopically monitored, managed and streamlined. All home lighting systems will be controllable by default from a remote smart device, for example, and smart streetlights will sense whether people are nearby and dim down if they are not needed.

Hybrid devices and product cross-pollination

In the coming years, we will see more product cross-pollination, combining products with different functions into one device. Indeed, these are already emerging into the market.

Typical items will include:

• Lighting with data tracking and transmitting technology for marketing and analysis.
• LED and table lamps with integrated speakers.
  
• Voice-controlled lighting systems are used with Amazon Alexa and other virtual assistants.

Can the drive to become efficient and eco-friendly pave the way for new lighting trends?

As LED lighting becomes more efficient, more people are adopting it to become more environmentally friendly and use less energy. Old SON street lighting (orange in colour) was not the most “efficient,” nor did it have great colour rendering or a perception of safety. This is now rapidly being replaced with LED fixtures that are highly efficient, have better colour rendering, and provide a better perception of safety due to a wider colour temperature range of 2700- 6000 K.

Conversely, the switch to LED is impacting the environment in other ways. The cooler, brighter characteristics of the new LED fixtures are having a dramatic impact on the habitats of insects and animals, with knock-on effects on the ecology. Thus, lighting design in the future will need to address the effects of artificial light, both on local ecology and human health.

The solution may well lie in alternative lighting technologies, such as:

• Bioluminescence – A method of creating light from living organisms. This type of lighting has a smaller environmental footprint, and its natural light will reduce light pollution.

•  Plasma lighting – An unexplored lighting technology that most accurately imitates natural sunlight, plasma lighting is increasingly used in indoor agriculture.

• White lasers are brighter and more energy efficient than LEDs, making them a great option for advancements in lighting and display systems. They have recently been adopted by the car industry.

Greater control and customisation

Over time, we have become increasingly aware of the effects of light on human circadian rhythms and the knock-on effect on health and wellbeing. For decades, switching a light on or off was the only control most people had over their lighting. However, this is likely to change as lighting technology develops in line with a greater awareness of our circadian rhythms.

Circadian lighting – systems designed to alter the colour and brightness of the light throughout the day and night – will become more popular and widespread. People can match their lighting specifications to their own personal needs, customising their lighting down to every detail. Shift workers and others with unusual sleep patterns may use light spectrums designed to imitate the sun’s natural light, tailored to their timetables. This could also help minimise jet lag’s effects, for example.

Customisation will also be employed in outdoor lighting to adapt to the features of its environment. Controlling light output, light distribution, and timing will become normal to reflect the particular needs in a specific location.

Get expert advice on your lighting design.

For advice on future-proofing lighting within your retail, commercial, hospitality or public space, contact us on 020 7046 8895