Philips rolls out smart LED carpet technology for informative flooring

Lighting technology giant Philips has teamed-up with major carpet company Desso to create what is called light transmissive carpets. Featuring integrated LED lighting technology, these carpets are able to emit light to navigate people as they walk all over it.

The argument goes that people’s eyes, similar to moths, naturally seek out light. So imagine going to movie theaters for instance — instead of stumbling and fumbling around in the dark trying to find the route to your seat, this light transmissive carpet will safely guide you instead.

The examples are almost endless. Think about flight information being displayed at the airport or playing a game of Frogger for instance. Instead of looking for weather information or squinting at the flight information display system, we can all look down at our feet as if we’ve lost our car keys.

“The technology takes advantage of people’s tendency to be guided by the floor when moving through and interacting with space,” said Philips Lighting’s Ed Huibers. “It brings information, direction, inspiration, and safety via the carpet you walk on.”

Moreover, these LED light emitting carpets will provide many benefits in the areas of information, direction, inspiration and safety. Guiding people around buildings, including safety exits and routes or enhancing the ambiance and atmosphere of the interior of buildings combining lighting with design and colour.

It can also help buildings de-clutter spaces by making information visible only when needed. What would be even more exciting is seeing similar technology outdoors. More specifically, LED lighting on roads for example which then displays relevant information when driving at night.

Images via Philips