Digital lightbulbs programmed to be green

Lightbulbs are set to go digital with ‘ambient intelligence’, according to electronics maker Philips.

Digital lightbulbs will have built in computers programmed to save energy and automatically respond to the needs of users.

‘Ambient intelligent’ lightbulbs will be sensitive to user needs, personalised to their requirements, and will anticipate user behaviour.

LEDs (light emitting diodes) will also shape the future landscape of lighting, Philips said.

LEDs are five times more efficient than standard bulbs, and at least as efficient as energy saving bulbs.

They also last longer than both, but are currently too expensive to be attractive to consumers.

Philips estimates that combining digital and LED technologies in lightbulbs could save up to 40% energy on currently installed lighting.

With lighting accounting for almost a fifth of the world’s energy usage, technologies that seek to reduce this can only be a good thing.