Gregor Giataganas

Building Lighting, Lighting Installation & Outdoor Advertising – IoT Saves Inspection Costs and Creates a Competitive Future

With the joint development of an IoT solution, LichtWART GmbH and Deutsche Telekom are putting lighting system operators permanently into perspective. The use case is about the so-called LichtWART module, a gateway that makes it possible to monitor, control and maintain lighting systems – all through a smart complete solution. An illuminated advertising system that does not light up or does not light up properly can result in a loss of image and sales. If a light fails, it is often noticed far too late. And sometimes it also happens that a power supply unit is replaced during a service case and the next one breaks shortly afterwards. All this is associated with high costs. Such scenarios are avoided by using the LichtWART module: The system generates added value by automatically generating error messages and alarms, streamlining service processes and shortening response times. It keeps track of the lifecycle of all components and ensures predictive maintenance – to name just a few of the added values discussed in this podcast episode. Mobile communications are considered the silver bullet of connectivity: they create the basis for secure and stable connectivity and smooth data transport to the cloud. The LichtWART module allows data to be converted from the DALI bus system, which has been tried and tested over many years, and then transferred to the plug & play cloud via the existing interface using mobile communications. One advantage of the module is that it can operate autonomously thanks to the integrated control electronics and does not require permanent connectivity. The trending topics of lighting systems as a service and pay per use are also discussed in this podcast episode. LichtWART and Telekom are also working on the development of their own DALI interface for even more flexibility. The LichtWART module 2.0 is also in the planning stage.