04.10.2005 Overview

Lighting trends for the future

Color Kinetics on tour with Osram Opto Semiconductors

Drivers heading southwest along the UK's M5 motorway towards Bristol are now welcomed by a spectacular beacon of light. The "Travelling Light" beacon gives commuters renewed enthusiasm for their daily trip to work. The installation by Color Kinetics is based on high-power LEDs from Osram Opto Semiconductors. The beacon is visible for miles around and comes to life with colour-changing light shows depending on the day of the week or special occasion. For example, the sculpture becomes a river of pink hearts on Valentine's Day.

Source: Courtesy of Peter Freeman

Color Kinetics and Osram Opto Semiconductors will be taking their roadshow all over Germany and into Switzerland to demonstrate the surprising range of applications for light emitting diodes (LEDs) in general lighting. The tour will start on October 19 in Hamburg and take in Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich and Stuttgart before ending up in Zurich on November 4.

Light emitting diodes have already started a small revolution in the automotive and display sectors and now they are beginning their steadfast march into general lighting. As the range of products grows, and brighter and brighter LEDs become available they will be increasingly important as light sources for this sector. High-brightness versions that offer various white tones and every possible colour mixes are paving the way.

The roadshow is aimed at lighting designers, architects and luminaire manufacturers and shows just what can be done with LEDs. This includes architectural lighting, accent lighting and effect lighting in both the commercial and domestic spheres.

Osram Opto Semiconductors is responsible for the product side of the show. Color Kinetics offers the technology and system solutions, creative ideas, and extensive know-how to highlight the enormous potential that light emitting diodes have in the general lighting sector. The portfolio ranges from standard solutions to customised concepts. At all times the company remains focused on the specific benefits of LEDs, such as small dimensions, low energy consumption and availability in all colours. The projects hold out much promise for the future and are presented from both the technical and design points of view. Specialists are on hand to demonstrate some sophisticated ways in which these light sources can be controlled.

About the companies:
Osram Opto Semiconductors is the world's second largest manufacturer of opto-electronic semiconductors. As a subsidiary of Osram, the company has more than 30 years of know-how in the development and manufacture of semiconductors and offers innovative solutions for the lighting, visualisation and sensor sectors.

Color Kinetics focuses of sophisticated lighting solutions based on LEDs and has developed and patented appropriate control technology. The company is responsible for some of the most impressive lighting installations throughout the world, such as the spectacular "Travelling Light" beacon next to the M5 motorway near Bristol in the UK, and has rightfully earned a reputation as a pioneer in this market segment. The range of applications covers the entire lighting sector, from buildings, bridges and lighting sculptures to dramatic stage lighting.

For editors:
You are also cordially invited to join us on the roadshow. Please register your interest with marion.reichl@osram-os.com. We look forward to seeing you there.