What was the biggest question from your customers regarding Bluetooth technology in 2022?
There is a lot of interest in integration between Bluetooth® mesh platforms and building management/automation systems such as those with BACnet. This integration provides a unified dashboard and platform for controlling not only lighting, but also HVAC, access and other building systems.
There is also a growing realization that wireless mesh control solutions are not only viable, but also optimal for outdoor lighting due to the avoided installation costs of wired systems and the reliability and robustness of wireless technologies such as Bluetooth mesh.
How have you used Bluetooth technology in 2022 and what will you focus on in 2023?
In 2022, McWong was excited to introduce a rugged controller with a long-range antenna to improve performance for outdoor Bluetooth® mesh control networks. The product received the Lightfair Technical Innovation Award and recognition from the IES Progress Report – two prestigious industry awards.
“We expect greater adoption of Bluetooth® mesh solutions on the market.”
We partnered with Luminosity Lighting and MRA Group to provide flexible outdoor lighting control on Spring House Innovation Park’s 133-acre campus (winner of the LightSPEC West inaugural design excellence award). The project team designed and implemented a flexible, qualified Bluetooth mesh control network that allows management to adjust at the touch of a finger while providing responsive lighting to residents regardless of the time of day.
In 2023, we plan to focus on highly interoperable solutions that not only use Bluetooth mesh technology, but also meet Zhaga and D4i requirements. This offers the market the greatest degree of flexibility in choosing best-of-breed solutions.
What do you think will be the biggest difference in 2023 for Bluetooth technology?
We expect greater adoption of Bluetooth® mesh solutions in the market as more and more professionals become aware of and acquire knowledge of the functional possibilities from a lighting control perspective and the non-lighting benefits that can come with implementing a control platform, such as asset tracking.