For the December issue of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR, I contributed an article that looks at the current state of the Internet of Things and lighting’s potential role in it, then check in with two industry thinkers with very different perspectives on the future: Mark Lien, Industry Relations Manager Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) and Robert Karlicek, Jr., Professor and Director, Center for Lighting Enabled Systems and Applications, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
It remains to be seen whether the lighting industry will “own” the IoT or become just another player connecting to it through a standardized interface. Connected lighting is already blurring the line between lighting and tech company, and the IoT may blur it even further. Similarly, it remains to be seen exactly what role electrical contractors will play and what will be required of them. The IoT hasn’t arrived yet, and until then, there’s just hype and a lot to learn. Because of energy codes, ECs are already seeing big changes in the number and type of lighting controls installed, and they are beginning to transition from the old world of configuring systems using wiring to the new world of apps. They’re already starting to talk to IT departments, and in the future may need to support IoT and data services.
Aside from some early adopters, however, the IoT can barely be said to exist. Standards, availability and adoption are still in their infancy, resulting in a Wild West environment similar to the start of the white-light LED market. Strong growth, however, is predicted as technical hurdles are addressed, making this a time of both opportunity and uncertainty.
Check it out here.
