The theme for Philips Lighting’s pavilion this year is ‘Empowering Smart Cities with Connected Lighting.’ Innovations including Philips ActiveSite, Philips Solar, Philips iLight – Philips CityTouch Flex, Philips SpaceWise and the patented Visible Light Communication (VLC) technology will be on showcase.

 “We see cities as hubs of diversity and innovation and therefore a source of solutions where private organizations and governments can -- and should -- work together to empower citizens through technology and innovation," said Goktug Gur, President and CEO of Philips Lighting Middle East & Turkey.  "Lighting can play a key role in this. Connected LED lighting can reduce environmental impact through high-quality, energy-efficient light while linking people, places, and infrastructure. People should be the focus of any smart city model,” he added.

He also explained that using widely-accessible services such as public lighting to connect with citizens, can enhance quality of life, transform everyday experiences and services, and help ensure the sustainability of cities.

Philips Lighting has already provided many kinds of transformative technology to UAE’s private and public sectors. The company’s collaboration with DEWA on its Jebel Ali and Al Aweer power plants – which involved installing energy efficient LED lighting – has delivered savings of 75 percent. Other projects include power-saving energy efficient lighting at Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) and a nationwide rollout of the world's most energy efficient lamp, Dubai Lamp, developed in partnership with Dubai Municipality.

Philips Lighting has also signed an agreement with the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) of Dubai to introduce connected lighting to public spaces. Residents will enjoy lighting innovations such as remote connected street lighting, which can be managed remotely, and connected pedestrian and cycle track lightings, along the extensive road network and in public parks.

Connected lighting systems are making energy savings for city management the world over. Simply switching to LED lighting will give electricity savings of up to 50 per cent. By adding smart controls the overall energy savings can go up to 80 per cent. Lighting alone can account for up to 40 per cent of a city’s total energy consumption. With over 47 per cent of the world online, access to technology is changing the level of expectations on public infrastructure.