LED Lighting for a brighter future!

EU pledges millions to tackle IoT security threat. PLUS: Reykjavik turns off street lights for better aurora view. AND: US speedway becomes first to go all LED. Lux Today October 18 2016

A new survey of hospitality professionals has found that lighting is an integral part of the package when it comes to encouraging guests to stay longer and make repeat visits to a restaurant, hotel or bar. 86% of hospitality professionals believe lighting plays a very important role in the customer experience.  The findings of the survey, sponsored by Megaman, reveal that lighting is big business in the hospitality sector: only 1% of those surveyed think lighting is of no importance in the customer experience. The findings show that good lighting encourages guests to stay longer and come back for more: 72% have left a venue earlier than planned because it was too brightly- or poorly-lit 74% have stayed longer than planned because the lighting made them feel relaxed and welcome. Respondents thought a well-lit venue is: “somewhere that draws you in” (36% of respondents) “somewhere to spend time” (34%) “somewhere to go back to” (26%)  none of the above (4%). The s

An experimental human centric lighting scheme has been installed at Lindeborgskolan school in Malmo, Sweden, aimed at improving pupil performance. The human centric system replaced a fluorescent lighting scheme, a change which pupils claim has improved their concentration, making them feel more alert throughout the school day. The automatically changing light variation includes a period of intense rather blue light in the morning, to wake the pupils up, and a warmer light during other parts of the day. Teachers are able to change the colour intensity of the lighting to create a calming or a stimulating atmosphere when necessary. The human centric scheme has also eradicated flicker. The new lighting was funded by the Department of Internal Services in the hope of bringing Swedish schools firmly into the twenty first century. You can find out more about the Malmo project by watching the video above. You can also learn more about the debate surrounding human centric lighti

BHS is attempting to reinvent itself as a trendy online lighting shop. BHS has always gone against the grain when it comes to lighting by selling some interesting designs that belie its sedate image. Moribund retailer BHS, which closed its doors earlier in the year after decades as a High Street staple, is attempting to reinvent itself as a trendy online lighting store. The company, which went into administration in April, has launched a new website, which features a whole host of lighting fixtures that would not look out of place in London’s trendy Shoreditch or Dalston. As well as featuring traditional BHS staples such as middle-of-the-road bedding and beige cushions, the new website also sells retro filament lamps hanging from distressed railway sleepers, glass pendants and even the perennial hipster lighting favorite, the squirrel cage. Any BHS regular will, no doubt, note the new lighting as a very considerable change of step for the formerly sedate and matro

A familiar face: One of the latest entrants in the residential IoT lighting market already has already been on the premises of over 14 million homes. It's the UK's leading power utility, British Gas. [Pic: Nissan] British Gas, the UK power utility that is blazing smart home trails with its Hive connected heating system, is now staking a claim to the residential smart lighting market by adding LED lamps to the system, a move that could signal the arrival of other major utilities into the home smart lighting arena. Through a partnership with LED company Aurora Group, British Gas in June began offering intelligent Hive-branded LED bulbs that tie into the Hive home internet hub, allowing users to wirelessly turn lights on and off and brighten and dim them from anywhere via an app. Last week, it beefed up the offering with bulbs that will change colours and colour temperature. The LED lamps, supplied by Aurora, are the latest addition to the ever-expanding Hive ecosystem.

LA’s is all set to expand its smart city capabilities by installing all hearing street lights LA has one of the biggest street lighting networks of any major city in the world. Los Angeles is adding all-hearing sensors to street lights that will be able to hear car crashes and report them to emergency services and first responders. The move is part of a new pilot scheme to expand LA’s smart city capabilities. The city authorities intend to use the smart city to improve public safety and support services. The city already has a connected street lighting infrastructure, but new technology is being deployed to improve LA’s Internet of Things (IoT) functionality.  Enabled light poles will feature microphone modules that will be able to monitor, aggregate and visualize ambient sound in various areas of the city. The modules can be used to increase the response times of emergency vehicles by detecting the sound of a collision. They can also be used to monitor noise and em