Intuitive and Simple: ERCO's Bluetooth-enabled Lighting

In today's large-scale projects such as office buildings, museums, and conference centers, light control systems are usually planned from the start. However, wireless light control solutions that can be simply installed and even upgraded, quickly set up and also operated by non-technical personnel are becoming increasingly popular. The application often focuses on a limited room situation, but it can be expanded if needed. Typical examples of such applications are exhibition spaces, art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and residential situations. With Bluetooth-capable luminaires in its Optec, Parscan, Oseris, and Pollux spotlight ranges, ERCO now offers the ideal solution for such projects — an innovative approach for using light simply, cost-effectively, and at a professional level as a scenic and dynamic tool of design.

ERCO integrates Bluetooth technology from the Finnish company Casambi directly into the control gear developed and produced in-house. Equipped this way, the luminaires communicate with each other as well as with compatible smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches via the Bluetooth LE radio standard, with luminaires then being controlled over the Casambi app on the mobile device.   

The range of functions on the app includes switching and dimming single luminaires, grouping luminaires, and setting up light scenes. Intuitive operation is provided by a visual user interface from ERCO with a simple, clear design. The luminaires form a so-called “mesh network” that can also include the compatible products of other manufacturers; the mesh networks can be independently set up in any quantity and linked with applications on the internet via gateways.  

Thanks to the ERCO system of luminaires, a wide selection of Bluetooth-capable luminaires for track are already available. The Optec, Parscan, Oseris, and Pollux product ranges offer various, attractive design options at up to 19W. These ranges feature interchangeable lens optics with rotationally symmetric light distributions of narrow spot, spot, flood, wide flood and extra wide flood, oval flood axially symmetric light distribution, and wallwash asymmetric light distribution. Lighting designers then have a flexible tool kit for presenting rooms in a professional and nuanced way with efficient visual comfort. The ERCO Individual service also allows Bluetooth-capable variants of specific luminaires in the ERCO portfolio to be requested for a particular project.

ERCO is one of the pioneers in the professional use of Casambi and the market leader for wireless light control solutions in the residential sector and with decorative luminaires. The software is being continuously expanded with functions such as a calendar, a timer, and the integration of Bluetooth-capable wall switches, push-buttons, and sensors. The option of linking individual mesh networks via IP and cloud technology also prepares the ground for use in the building sector: ERCO is implementing appropriate projects in this area, for example in a hospital in Northern Ireland with more than 2,000 ERCO LED luminaires controlled via Casambi.  

“Integrating Casambi control over Bluetooth in our lighting tools allows us to offer a flexible and highly attractive light control,” explains Kay Pawlik, Managing Director of ERCO GmbH, in reference to the company's latest products. He adds, “This new and intuitive method of designing with light will adopt a leading role in architectural lighting.” Accordingly, the producer plans to equip further of its product ranges with wireless Bluetooth control technology, and is closely cooperating with Casambi as technology partner in the further development of the system to meet the sophisticated demands of professional architectural lighting.