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Mobile Lighting Control Platform

Lighting Customization App

  • Client:
    A manufacturer of lighting equipment.
  • Request:
    To build iOS and Android apps to customize and simplify the installation of lighting equipment.
  • Result:
    Reduced lighting equipment setup time, improved customer loyalty, and increased sales.
  • Technologies:
    • Swift
    • SwiftUI
    • Combine
    • Kotlin
    • Jetpack Compose
    • LiveData
    • CoreBluetooth / BLE
    • (Bluetooth Low Energy)
    • MVVM
    • Hilt (Dependency Injection)
    • Universal APP
    • JWT
    • Retrofit
    • WebSockets
    • Siren
    • Play Core Library

Challenge

We were approached by a manufacturer of high-quality lighting equipment looking to implement a digital transformation strategy. The shift towards digital and mobile technologies in the lighting industry played a key role in their decision.

The company’s innovation journey started with optimizing lighting equipment customization. To meet client expectations, improve service quality, and stay ahead of competitors, they aimed to develop quicker, easier-to-install solutions through a mobile app.

Previously, setting up lighting systems required multiple tools, including a laptop. The company wanted to simplify this by allowing customers to install and customize systems using only a tablet or mobile phone. Now, technicians can complete installations in minutes, regardless of the building’s size.

Entrusted with the full development process, we created the mobile app for both iOS and Android platforms from scratch, ensuring a seamless user experience.

Solution

The most challenging task of the project was integrating all connectors into a unified protocol. The lighting equipment uses two different communication methods: one that operates wirelessly and another that transmits data over a two-wire line.

Connectors serve as intermediaries, communicating with lighting components (bulbs, switches, sensors, etc.). Our mobile app acts as the control hub for the lighting systems, linking to connectors to gather data.
Our goal was to create a user-friendly setup for lighting systems. With the app, engineers no longer need to determine each connector's protocol or integration method. Instead, the connectors maintain their protocols while communicating with the app through a unified API.
The app connects to any connector via Wi-Fi, enabling lighting technicians to quickly adjust switches and bulbs throughout the building, even across multiple floors.
 
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  • Connector management system
    When setting up a new lighting system, engineers can create a virtual system within the app, which stores all detected connectors for future use. The app displays all systems, allowing technicians to access and manage any system, configure lighting equipment, or add new connectors.
  • Energy usage tracking
    To enhance functionality, the app includes real-time energy usage monitoring for all connected lighting equipment. This feature allows technicians to track power consumption and adjust settings to optimize efficiency.
  • Firmware updates
    The app supports over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates, allowing users to keep all connected devices, including connectors and bulbs, up-to-date with the latest software releases for improved functionality and security.
  • Color & brightness control
    The app enables control over various types of bulbs, allowing users to adjust brightness for all bulbs and control color and temperature for dimmable or RGB bulbs. Users can save these settings for future use.
  • Lighting presets
    The app allows users to create and save preset lighting configurations. These presets can be applied to different rooms or entire floors with one tap, streamlining the customization process.
  • Hierarchical organization of systems
    Lighting systems can be structured into a hierarchical tree with different levels, for example "Basement". This structure helps technicians easily find and manage specific equipment within the app.
  • Access logging and control
    The app features an access log that tracks when and by whom any adjustments were made to the lighting system, providing a clear history of changes. Additionally, user permissions can be set to limit control over specific areas or systems.
  • Demo mode
    The app also includes a demo mode, which is useful for showcasing its capabilities without needing to connect to live systems.
  • Connector discovery and pairing
    To manage the connectors, engineers first scan a QR code or use Bluetooth to locate and pair the connectors with the mobile app. Once paired, the connector starts communicating with the app.
  • Customizable setup options
    Our app offers flexible management, including options to delete specific connectors or reset entire systems when needed.
  • Backup connector algorithm
    Given that some connectors may become unavailable (due to being turned off or malfunctioning), the app includes a smart algorithm to identify the nearest accessible connector. If no local connector is available, the app automatically switches to the cloud to maintain control of the system.

Backend

The backend system of the app is designed to back up and restore sensitive data through connectors while communicating with a cloud backend. Its main goals include the following:

  • Use of the AWS cloud environment to ensure smooth scaling of the backend.
  • Integration with an IoT hub to facilitate communication with connectors and lights.
  • Implementation of access logging and roles/permissions configuration for users with different access levels.
  • Storage of the configuration settings for the connectors.
  • Storage of all custom settings for each light, along with their virtual hierarchical structure.
  • Management of app authentication and control limitations based on user permissions.

Result

  • mark
    The company has reached the main of its digital transformation goals, reshaped customer service, and achieved a sustainable competitive advantage.
  • mark
    The app has significantly reduced lighting technicians' working hours by 25%.
  • mark
    There is a remarkable increase in customer loyalty and sales.