Renault smart home project in Germany features a variety of companies working under the direction of MARCHI architects. Lighting designers from Philips Lighting (Euronext Amsterdam ticker: LIGHT), a global leader in lighting, have collaborated with automotive company Renault on a unique concept car and smart home unveiled at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show (September 14-24). The SYMBIOZ autonomous electric car is not just a car. It is an extension of the home. The vehicle’s onboard digital technology makes it an interactive and personalized space, connecting its passengers to other cars, people and technologies in the smart home such as Philips connected LED lighting.
Parked in the smart home, SYMBIOZ doubles as a snug, mobile, comfortable and modular extra room. Its interior was inspired by the design of living rooms. As an elegant open or closed environment, the car connects with all manner of devices and appliances in the home, making it an ideal space to work in or relax. Its operating system is shown interacting with and controlling the smart home lighting.
The collaboration between Philips Lighting and Renault on the SYMBIOZ project, a concept that integrates the car into the home’s living space, is a groundbreaking initiative. Designed by MARCHI architects, the project merges automotive design with residential architecture and intelligent lighting solutions.
One of the innovative features in this house includes the Philips Hue in the lounge and kitchen, which automatically switches on as the car approaches the driveway. This integration ensures energy efficiency while providing comfort and convenience.
The welcoming visual experience created as SYMBIOZ enters the ground level with walls automatically illuminating is achieved through Philips Luminous Surfaces. This offers not just aesthetic beauty but contributes to the user’s sense of safety and belonging.
The centerpiece of this design is the platform where the car sits, which can be elevated to different parts of the living space or even the terrace. This platform is surrounded by a cylinder containing 5,368 dynamic Philips Color Kinetics iW Flex LED light points. These lights change shades of white to represent the connectivity status between the car and home, such as when the car is charging or on standby. This unique feature adds a futuristic visual appeal and functions as a practical status indicator.
Overall, the collaboration between Philips Lighting and Renault, executed by MARCHI architects, represents a novel convergence of technology and design. It redefines the interaction between vehicles and living spaces, extending functionality beyond transportation and transforming the car into an integral part of the home. The utilization of intelligent lighting solutions adds aesthetic value, enhances user experience, and symbolizes the future of integrated smart living.
“This collaboration with Renault illustrates perfectly how our connected LED lighting is designed to interact with different platforms and devices to simplify and enhance people’s lives,” explains Pierre-Yves Panis, Chief Design Officer for Philips Lighting
Photography by Fernando Guerra | FG+SG, Nicolas Pivetal
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