The emergence of the Internet of Things has completely changed the way daily home appliances work. Advancements in the semiconductor manufacturing industries have acted as a catalyst in this shift. As semiconductor chips have become smaller, the smarter the gadgets have become. Engineers and tech-experts have focused their energies on leveraging the full potential of the electromagnetic spectrum which has paved the way for development of innovative sensors. All these developments taken together have ushered in a new age of smart electronics, one product of which is gesture control lights.
Gesture control lights for home applications
Gesture control lights are a type of what can be termed smart lighting. Smart lighting or smart lights are lights which can sense and/or interact with the environment and other devices. Another distinguishing factor between smart lights and normal lighting is the way these lights can be switched on/off. Ordinary lights work on normal switches and have consistent brightness and color. Smart lights come in different varieties- they can be controlled either by voice or through gestures. Such smart lights which can be controlled using gestures are called gesture control lights. Furthermore, both these types of smart lights offer functionalities such as change in brightness and color. Thus, with certain gestures or through voice commands, these lights can switch on/off and alter brightness, color, and shade.
Gesture control lights used in home applications essentially work via a central controller like a Wi-Fi network. Once connected via Wi-Fi, these lights work in tandem and create a network of “smart” lights. Also, gesture control lights while manufacturing are programmed to identify gestures such as claps or handwaves, each denoting a specific command. When such lights are connected via a network, they are all controlled together by a single gesture. So, for instance, if there are 4-5 smart lights installed in the kitchen or the living room and all of them are connected through a network, then one clap or a handwave would suffice to switch them on or off.
Apart from the comfort and ease of living, there is another very important consideration which has increased the popularity of gesture control lights. The growing focus on environmental sustainability and energy efficiency has, inadvertently, led to increasing demand for smart lighting. Gesture control or similar smart lights can also be programmed to sense the surroundings and switch off automatically when there is no human presence or movement in the room. Since manual switching off isn’t needed, the risk of continuous illumination of an empty room is almost nullified. Studies done in this field have shown that the amount of electricity saved by this small change is enormous. Moreover, smart LEDs allow changing of brightness which further helps in saving energy.
Potential opportunities for the expansion of the industry
Just like most other smart electronics devices and appliances, gesture control lights have witnessed a massive surge in demand since the dawn of this decade. This rise in demand has obviously led to the expansion of the global gesture control lights market. Moreover, the presence of companies such as Allocacoc, Neona Living GmbH, Otus, Yeslights, etc., has played an important role in pushing the market ahead. These companies have continuously invested in R&D activities which has opened up new avenues for the growth of the industry. Also, many companies have launched their products in the market which has made the industry highly competitive. iGear, for instance, in June 2021, announced that it had launched a gesture-controlled night lamp. Sense LED, as it is named, is designed to offer nine different colors each controlled by a different gesture. Powered by a rechargeable battery, this smart LED is designed specifically for home applications and can be installed in bedrooms, living areas, or even kitchens.
To compete with such products, many companies are even entering into partnerships and collaborations. For instance, in August 2023, Signify, a major lighting solutions provider, announced that it had signed a partnership agreement with Philips, a multinational conglomerate. Under this partnership, Philips Hue will launch a new series of products including smart sensors and cameras. Thus, the main aim behind this partnership is to launch a complete ecosystem of “smart” electronic products which will cater to the demands of the household sector comprehensively. Mergers and acquisitions are yet another way used by companies to establish their dominance in this industry. Emerson, a leading manufacturing company, recently announced that it was acquiring NI, an intelligent devices manufacturing firm. The gesture control light industry has, thus, been in a state of flux for the past few years owing to such product launches, partnerships, acquisitions, and collaborations.
Technological advancements in sensor technology and connectivity have also helped the gesture control light market to rise. These advancements are primarily aimed at improving the accuracy, response time, and compatibility of sensors which have, in turn, made “smart” devices more intelligent. The apparent advantages of gesture control lights for the household sector have also attracted the attention of the commercial and industrial sector. A growth in demand for smart lighting from these sectors has been noted. Manufacturing industries, office spaces, hospitals, enclosed public spaces, etc., have gradually started using smart lighting technologies. Here too, the increasing awareness about environmental sustainability has played a key role. However, smart lighting technology is yet to fully replace normal lighting solutions on account of the pricing factor. High cost of gesture control lights and the need to have a central network discourages their use in many setups such as public places. However, despite these hurdles, the market is estimated to be highly profitable in the coming period.
The final word
Widespread use of and demand for smart lighting from the household sector will thus ensure the dawn of a golden period for the global gesture control light market in the next few years. The market in the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead in terms of market share in the near future. Rapid urbanization in the developing economies of India and China is expected to be the primary growth driver of the market in this region. Additionally, there has been an overall increase in the disposable income of people in this region which will further augment the growth of the market in the coming period.
