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Philips takes efficiency to the next dimension with 3D printed lamps

<p>The electronics giant has introduced groundbreaking new products in its push for smarter home lighting.</p>

This week, electronics giant Philips unveiled a new range of wireless LED lamps, including 3D-printed sculpture-style luminaires, as it pushed further into the smart home lighting market.

The company released three new smart lighting products in its so-called "Hue" range, which allows lights to be controlled through Wi-Fi networks. On display for the first time at this week's Light and Building show in Frankfurt, the 3D printed lamps are printed into shell-style "light sculptures" that can serve as table lamps and pendants.

Designed with WertelOberfell and Strand+Hvass and starting at $3,447, they are clearly aimed at the high-end market, but nevertheless represent a major breakthrough for the lighting market as 3D printing is expected to see significant cost reductions for energy-efficient lights over time. 

The company also has designed a battery-free wireless light switch, called the "hue tap," to provide residents with remote control over their property lighting.

Harry Verhaar, senior director for energy and climate change at Philips Lighting, said the new lamps were designed to offer a better user experience while also reducing the impact of lighting on the environment. "With the world rapidly moving toward efficient, connected lighting, we are maximizing a range of important benefits," he said in a statement.

"Connected LED lighting not only achieves significant energy savings and carbon footprint reductions, but most of all maximizes customer benefits by simply enabling people to create any atmosphere they desire. The future of innovative, low-carbon lighting can help us on our path to create the future we want for our planet."

The new products also were welcomed by Ben Ferrari at the environmental nonprofit The Climate Group, of which Philips is a member. "Business drives the innovation we urgently need in technologies and markets for a better future," Ferrari said. "We support today's corporate leaders like Philips, who know that the climate challenge can be turned into an opportunity to secure long-term prosperity in a low-carbon economy."

This story originally appeared at BusinessGreen.com. LED light photo by Alix Kreil via Shutterstock.

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