Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized the way we live and work with connected devices becoming more prevalent, it’s no surprise that light fixtures which are all-pervasive inbuilt spaces, are also joining the bandwagon. Proliferation of smart devices has helped individuals be more productive and businesses more profitable. According to a recent report by Statista, the number of estimated IoT-connected devices worldwide in 2023 was 15.14 billion, and it is anticipated to reach 29.42 billion by 2030. IoT is changing how we live, work, and interact thereby making the world around us flat. The connected smart lighting market will grow at double digit CAGR till 2025 owing to the integration of advanced technologies, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Wi-Fi into the lighting solutions according to a research report by Frost & Sullivan.
Today, the implementation of IoT while illuminating new-age workspaces provides a unique opportunity to transition into smart workspaces. Here are five ways in which workplaces can be illuminated efficiently:
Adaptive Lighting for Productivity: In bustling offices around cities in India lighting plays a pivotal role in employee productivity, alertness, and mood. The integration of IoT-enabled lighting systems while designing workplaces offers bio-adaptive lighting with customization of lighting intensity and color, depending on the time of day, by aligning with the body’s circadian rhythm — brighter, bluer light in the morning to energize and softer, redder light toward the end of the workday to encourage relaxation. This human centric lighting improves the mood and sleep patterns of employees and boosts performance, leading to happier employees with high productivity.
Personalized Comfort: Employees have diverse preferences when it comes to lighting, with some thriving in well-lit spaces, while others preferring softer illumination. Connected lighting allows individual control, empowering employees to tailor their workspace lighting to suit varying tasks be it task lighting at a meeting or ambient lighting in breakout areas, fostering comfort and well-being during work hours. This increased autonomy ensures employees experience the highest visual comfort and satisfaction at work.
Energy Efficiency: Lighting Management Solutions optimize energy consumption by dimming or turning off lights when areas are unoccupied as well as scheduling usage. This not only reduce energy consumption but also helps align organisational sustainability goals by maximizing WELL points.
Space Optimization- IoT connected luminaires provide data that can help transform Smart Buildings into Strategic Productivity Assets by improving office space utilization IoT sensors are able to assess utilization of meeting rooms and office spaces according to occupancy, crowd patterns in common areas and optimize output basis data points leading to cost savings and efficient facility management. Smart building solutions help building managers enhance the experience of tenants by allowing employees to use a smartphone application to find and book free rooms.
Creating a safer environment for employees- IoT-enabled devices and services collect and monitor noise, temperature, air quality, and lighting data in buildings and reduce distractions such as extreme temperature, poor lighting, or high noise levels. This helps companies attract talent and retain high-value employees too.
Connected lighting systems are transforming workspaces, offering numerous benefits to building owners and occupants. Energy efficiency, wellness and sustainability, and net-zero design are non-negotiables for new-age workplaces and by adopting IoT driven connected lighting systems, businesses can reduce energy consumption, improve employee productivity, and contribute to a sustainable future. As technology continues to evolve, connected lighting systems will continue to play an increasingly important role in our daily lives.