Philips has started testing an intelligent lighting system that will help users find their way across shopping centres using their smartphones. The pilot project is currently operational at a Euroshop retail outlet in Düsseldorf, Germany. The project works using the principle of #-Link-Snipped-#. As you have read from the link above this setup too uses the in-store LED lights to communicate information to the user’s smartphone. The network of LED fixtures serves as a positioning grid. Each fixture is uniquely identifiable and is able to communicate its position to an app on the user’s smartphone. The user now has to input the product name he/she is looking for and the app will map out a route to the correct aisle.


Retailers will also be able to benefit from this system. They can send out targeted information to the customer depending on his/her position. For example if the customer is standing near a discounted product the app will alert the customer regarding the same. Philips also claims that its energy efficient lighting will also be helpful in reducing electricity bills. Philips has also stressed on the fact that this setup can be installed without adding additional hardware. This makes it a better system than Apple iBeacon Service For iOS 7 Devices Rolled Out Across Apple Stores In US service which is very similar to the Philips system but involves installing low-power Bluetooth transmitters to communicate with the smartphone. To help you learn the nitty-gritty of these fixtures and how they work in the real world Philips has put up an interesting infographic (as seen below) along with the #-Link-Snipped-# that shows how the system acts like a personal shopper guiding the customer through the shop and dispensing relevant information.


As we await more information and its large scale rollout, we would like to obtain your views about the system. Head over to the comment section to post your views.