Silicon Labs and Philips Hue promote smart lighting
Silicon Labs (also known as "core technology", NASDAQ: SLAB) and Global Lighting's leader, Signify, is collaborating to promote the "Friends of Hue" expansion project, which enables ecosystem collaboration partners better develop smart luminaire switches for the Philips Hue system. Silicon Labs provides Zigbee cluster libraries, software tools, reference applications and technical expertise to help member companies certified by the Show Friends project quickly design and manufacture lighting switches to ensure a perfect fit with Philips Hue's intelligent lighting system.
The Show Friends Ecosystem enables third-party vendors and brands to create certified, interoperable, intelligent lighting products that seamlessly integrate with the leading Zigbee-based smart lighting solution, Philips Hue. Silicon Labs is a key partner of Show Friends, working closely with Signify to define Zigbee clusters and provide compatible software for advanced lighting switching functions, such as user-friendly settings in the Philips Hue app and through Philips Xiuyun (Hue cloud) deploys firmware updates. Silicon Labs' Zigbee Software Development Kit supports the Show Friends specification, allowing third-party vendors to create certified devices that ensure integration with Philips Show.
Signify partnership director Duncan McCue said: "We believe that everyone will use smart lighting, and intelligent lighting control through lighting switches is a key part of this vision. The Friends of Hue Switches project is helping partners develop innovative lighting switches that seamlessly integrate with the Philips Ecosystem to provide intelligent lighting experiences to millions of consumers around the world. We are pleased to partner with Silicon Labs to expand the Show Friends project and increase reliability based on Zigbee technology and interoperability, enabling battery-powered lighting switches to enter the Hue ecosystem."
Typically when the end user turns off the smart light using a traditional wall switch, the light's power is turned off and cannot be controlled using applications, voice commands, schedules, or sensors. The Show Friends switch makes the Philips show intelligent lighting control directly controlable from the wall switch, and keeps the Philips light fixtures "ready" and provides an interface that everyone is familiar with. Silicon Labs' Show Friends Software Development Kit (SDK) supports a variety of smart light switch designs and adds a choice of compatibility switches for Philips show users.
"With more than 15 years of experience in mesh networks and more than 250 million mesh nodes deployed to date, Silicon Labs is leveraging its deep Zigbee expertise," said Matt Saunders, vice president of marketing and applications for IoT products at Silicon Labs. First-class software and wireless development tools support the Show Friends project. With the growth of the Friends of the Show partner network, we are constantly pushing the development of intelligent lighting solutions for the Internet of Things."
According to Mareca Hatler, Director of Research at ON World, “Smart Lighting redefines home automation with a simple, affordable DIY solution. As the leading IoT technology for smart lighting, Zigbee plays a key role in driving adoption and innovation in smart homes. Zigbee is used by 80% of smart LED bulbs sold by popular consumer goods retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond."