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Security Lighting gets an Upgrade

January 2023

Security lighting, intended to provide lighting to dark areas making them safer and less prone to crime, is receiving an upgrade.

GE Current, a company that sells intelligent lighting and energy management systems, has added a digital component to lighting being implemented by municipalities.

When widely implemented, these intelligent lighting systems are a digital network which can be financed by energy savings from LED lights.  They incorporate air quality sensors; and cameras that can monitor area activity by pedestrians or vehicles, unsafe driving and parking infractions.  An audio device can be incorporated to detect gunfire, estimate its location and notify 911.  Video footage can be stored for a period and used in investigations.

This upgraded intelligent lighting may offer the technology for connecting electric devices throughout the home using a light-based internet or Wi-Fi connection.

In the home this would offer an enhancement to current intelligent lighting.  Sensors in lights can provide data to determine alertness and automatically adjust lighting when attention wanders, or turn off lights when a room is not in use.  Wearable devices monitoring your status may connect to light sensors with the data being used to adjust light levels.  Sensors in lights can automatically monitor and control temperature levels throughout the home and readjust as you enter or exit.

Today, smart thermostats controllable over the internet are available.  Building management systems companies are exploring how HVAC systems and security can be integrated with lighting networks.  LED technology may serve as internet access, and connect electronic devices from mobile phones to wearable devices such as FitBit, television or refrigerator.  The television may turn on as you near it.  Your refrigerator can be made “aware” of its contents and inform you of what is needed through your mobile phone while shopping.

Security lighting systems are currently available to municipalities.  Versions of this technology will likely be available to high-rise communities as costs decrease.

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