VivaTech 2026: Sylvania Group, in collaboration with Luxwave, unveils an exclusive innovation that transforms lighting into intelligent building infrastructure.

Lighting fixtures capable of locating people and equipment

From June 17 to 20, 2026, at the Franco-Quebec pavilion dedicated to the energy transition at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, Sylvania Group will unveil an innovation developed in partnership with Luxwave.

The technology is based on a simple principle: using the light fixture as a landmark within the building. Each lighting device thus contributes to locating people, equipment, or property without requiring the installation of additional dedicated infrastructure.

This approach illustrates a gradual evolution in the role of lighting. Long limited to a function of visual comfort and safety, it is now becoming an active component of digital building architectures.

"Transforming lighting into an intelligent infrastructure for locating and controlling spaces."

Practical applications in complex environments

The sectors targeted are those where the movement of people and equipment represents a daily challenge.

In a hospital, quickly locating a stretcher, a hospital chair, or mobile equipment can waste precious time. A location system integrated into the lighting network would allow for faster identification of their position within the facility.

Logistics platforms and industrial sites represent another area of ​​application. Tracking pallet trucks, goods, or mobile equipment can help streamline certain processes and reduce search times.

In office buildings, location data can also be used to analyze space occupancy. This information is of direct interest to property managers who seek to adapt space to actual usage.

Publicly accessible establishments and nursing homes are also among the environments concerned, particularly for the management of sensitive areas or the support of evacuation procedures.

An integration that involves several building trades

The integration of the technology developed by Luxwave is not limited to adding an electronic module into a light fixture.

The design process requires expertise in mechanics, electronics, electromagnetic compatibility, and software development. Constraints related to lighting performance must also be considered to preserve the equipment's primary function.

To carry out this development, Sylvania Group relied on its design offices in Saint-Étienne and Gennevilliers as well as on SLIC, its research center located in Sint-Truiden, Belgium.

This approach is of direct interest to engineering firms, project managers, and integrators responsible for designing connected buildings. The challenge is no longer simply to deploy lighting fixtures, but to integrate them into a comprehensive digital architecture.

A natural place in the technical management of the building

The solution was designed to interact with the digital ecosystem developed by Sylvania Group and with building management systems platforms.

In a new project, integration can be planned from the design phase. In renovation projects, the task is often more complex. Teams must work with existing networks, already installed equipment, and site operational constraints.

Compatibility with BMS, cybersecurity and data flow then become topics as important as the electrical installation itself.

Like any connected solution deployed in a building, its implementation must comply with applicable regulatory requirements. For low-voltage electrical installations, the NF C 15-100 standard is a key reference.

Interoperability at the heart of the value in use

The usefulness of a location system does not depend solely on its ability to provide a position.

The true value emerges when the data can be used by the tools already in use in the field. Maintenance software, technical monitoring, asset management, and space management systems must be able to communicate with the solution to generate operational benefits.

For an operator, knowing the location of equipment is only useful if this information then allows them to improve an intervention, optimize a maintenance route or facilitate the daily management of the site.

This issue of interoperability is currently one of the main challenges of smart building projects.

"Each light fixture can meet different use cases."

Lighting confirms its evolution towards the connected building

The announcement presented at VivaTech is part of a broader trend observed in the building construction and operation sector.

Following the integration of environmental sensors, access control systems, and energy monitoring tools, lighting is also becoming a medium for data and services. Luminaires are no longer simply technical components of the building envelope; they are increasingly involved in managing usage patterns.

The success of this type of system will depend on several factors: the quality of implementation, compatibility with existing systems, the security of data exchanges, and the ability of operational teams to translate the collected information into concrete actions. It is in this area, far more than on technological performance alone, that the adoption of these new smart infrastructures will be determined.