April 13, 2024
5 Things to Know: Week Ending April 13
Amazon highlights Signify as a business case study. Plus, two lighting & controls agents merge in the Los Angeles market.
Here's a roundup of some of the week's happenings curated to help lighting people stay informed.
1. Amazon highlights Signify partnership
Amazon has recently shed a spotlight on Signify as a case study for its Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud platform. Signify’s smart home lighting solutions Philips Hue has expanded into the home security market with the introduction of Philips Hue Secure. To support this expansion, Signify aimed to leverage the existing architecture of its Hue lighting products while developing a tailored solution for the new Hue Secure cameras, which required specific optimizations for battery performance, video data handling, and security notifications.
Utilizing Amazon Web Services (AWS) serverless technology, specifically AWS IoT Core and Amazon Kinesis Video Streams, Signify integrated video capabilities into the existing Hue ecosystem. This integration helped maintain the system's quality and security standards. By building on AWS IoT services, Signify was able to bring Philips Hue Secure to market within 18 months, ensuring it met customer expectations and seamlessly integrated with the Hue system.
2 . SoCal Agent Merger
Kore Controls and LIGHT, two manufacturers' representative agencies based in Southern California, have merged to form Kore LIGHT. The new entity combines over 50 years of industry experience to offer an alternative in the commercial lighting and controls market.
LIGHT, based in Torrance, CA, has been in operation for 35 years, and Kore Controls, based in Irvine, CA, has been the Crestron Commercial Lighting Controls Representative since its founding in 2018. Jason Schanta, Principal of LIGHT, and Tom Fischer, CEO of Kore Controls, will lead Kore LIGHT. The agency stated that it aims to transform local perceptions of the manufacturers’ rep business model and strengthen partnerships within the industry.
3. Promoting “éclairage responsable” in Montreal
Changes that promote responsible lighting often occur at the local level, where communities can influence or mandate change through spreading knowledge and implementing ordinances for businesses and residents.
According to CBC News, the borough of Mercier–Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in Montreal is educating local businesses on responsible lighting practices. In partnership with the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve, Montreal is launching an initiative to reduce light pollution.
A guide aimed at reducing urban glare will be distributed to major businesses and institutions in the borough. New businesses will receive training on effective lighting management to minimize disturbances and improve visibility of the night sky. Recommendations include reorienting lights downward and using warmer-colored light sources. Despite the potential for viewing the Northern Lights, Montreal's significant light pollution currently hampers such views. The success of these efforts, of course, depends on community and business cooperation.
4. Nevada Launches USA's First Dark Sky Themed License Plate
KTVN 2 News Nevada reports, according to Makayla Hardy, Nevada is introducing a new license plate to highlight the state's dark sky conservation efforts. The plate, the first of its kind in the U.S. dedicated to this cause, was announced during the recent International Dark Sky week. It aims to fund education and awareness regarding the importance of preserving night skies.
Designed by Jonathan Boarini, the plate was selected from more than twenty-four submissions. It will help support the preservation of the state's night skies, crucial for tourism in Nevada's rural areas. The "Save Starry Skies" plate will be available in May, with proceeds benefiting the Friends of Nevada Wilderness. This organization works on public education, dark sky monitoring and conservation, and promotes low-impact astro-tourism throughout the state.
5. A.I. in Manufacturing
A recent report "Taking AI to the next level in manufacturing" published by MIT Technology Review Insights highlights a strong drive among manufacturing leaders to expand their AI capabilities more than in most other industries. AI is seen as crucial in shortening production cycles, improving maintenance, enhancing security, and reducing carbon emissions. However, despite the investments, some manufacturers struggle to meet their AI development goals.
The study, involving 300 manufacturing firms, assesses how these entities benefit from AI, especially in engineering, design, and factory operations. While 64% of these manufacturers are still in the experimental phase with AI, about 35% have escalated their use cases to production levels. The research points out significant barriers including talent shortages and insufficient data quality that hinder AI's scalability in manufacturing settings. Furthermore, most firms are recognizing the need to modernize their data architecture to enhance AI integration between their engineering, design, and factory operations. Such strategic improvements are deemed essential for overcoming fragmentation and achieving effective scaling of AI technologies.
