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You Know Robots But What About Cobots? by David Shiller

William Attardi on June 24, 2026

Collaborative robots, or cobots, are moving from factory novelty to practical production tools, and the lighting industry is well positioned to benefit from that shift. For lighting manufacturers, the biggest implication is not replacement of people, but a rebalancing of labor: cobots can take on repetitive, precise, or ergonomically difficult tasks while skilled workers focus on assembly, testing, engineering support, quality control, and process improvements. Lighting manufacturing has several operations that match cobot strengths: bin picking, screwdriving, machine tending, packaging, label application, inspection support, and repetitive subassembly work. Cobots are designed to work safely alongside people in shared spaces, which makes them attractive for plants that cannot justify a full fenced robot cell or that need to keep production layouts flexible. Their easier programming and faster deployment also matter for lighting companies that run many product variants and short production cycles. More information is available hereand here. You Know Robots But What About Cobots? | LightNOW

Recent Trends In Horticultural Lighting by David Shiller

William Attardi on April 17, 2026

Recent horticultural lighting trends are centered on smarter LED systems, more precise spectral control, and tighter integration with greenhouse automation. The biggest shift is away from static lighting toward dynamic, data-driven lighting that can adjust intensity and spectrum in real time based on crop stage, natural sunlight, energy prices, and climate conditions. LEDs continue to replace older technologies like HPS because they deliver higher efficiency, lower radiant heat, dimming capability, and better spectral control. Industry and government sources also note meaningful electricity savings versus conventional horticultural lighting, which remains a major driver for adoption in commercial greenhouses and indoor farms. This efficiency story matters because energy is one of the largest operating costs in controlled environment agriculture. As a result, growers are looking for fixtures that do more than just provide photons; they want systems that can optimize output while reducing waste and heat load. More information is available here. Recent Trends In Horticultural Lighting | LightNOW

How eVTOLs Could Impact the Lighting Industry by David Shiller

William Attardi on January 27, 2026

Flying cars have been a sci-fi staple for almost a century. There is a type of small flying vehicle that is now very close to commercial production. An eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) is a new type of aircraft that uses electric power for vertical flight, allowing it to take off, hover, and land like a helicopter without a runway, while also transitioning to forward flight like a plane. These eco-friendly aircraft are designed for urban air mobility (UAM) to reduce traffic congestion, using multiple electric motors, advanced batteries, and often rotors or propellers for quiet, efficient, and potentially autonomous air taxi services. Here are some of the most likely impacts on the lighting industry at: How eVTOLs Could Impact The Lighting Industry | LightNOW

Data Center Boom Impacting the Lighting Industry by David Shiller

William Attardi on March 14, 2025

The data center sector has exploded into a major force in construction, fueled by the increasing demands of artificial intelligence. This surge is significantly boosting nonresidential construction planning, with projections indicating it could add substantially to U.S. economic growth in the coming years. This data center construction boom hasn’t gone unnoticed in the lighting industry. Some manufacturers are beefing up their product lines for the data center vertical. Some are increasing their marketing to position themselves as leaders in the data center lighting vertical, and some manufacturers are hiring specification salespeople to specialize in just the data center spec market. Major tech companies are leading the data center expansion with massive investments. Data Center Boom Impacting The Lighting Industry | LightNOW

What to Know About AI Agents and Their Impact on Lighting by David Shiller

William Attardi on February 9, 2025

AI agents differ significantly from traditional AI systems in terms of functionality. AI agents possess higher autonomy, making independent decisions without constant human oversight. AI agents are poised to reshape the lighting industry, bringing next levels of intelligence, efficiency, and personalization to lighting systems. Here’s how AI agents will transform various aspects of the lighting industry:

    1. Intelligent Lighting Control
    2. Personalized Lighting Experiences
    3. Automated Commissioning and Maintenance
    4. Energy Optimization
    5. Enhanced Design and Planning
    6. Integration with Smart Building Systems
    7. Market Growth and Innovation

More information is available here.  What To Know About AI Agents And Their Impact On Lighting | LightNOW

Remembering the Solemn Purpose of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed on the last Monday in May to honor and mourn U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the armed forces. The holiday traces its roots to the years immediately following the American Civil War (1861–1865), which caused massive casualties—roughly 620,000 soldiers dead, about 2% of the U.S. population at the time. Communities across the North and South began spontaneously decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers, wreaths, and flags, a practice that gave rise to the original name: Decoration Day. On May 5, 1868, Major General John A. Logan, commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR)—a powerful Union veterans’ organization—issued General Order No. 11. This proclaimed May 30, 1868, as a nationwide “Decoration Day” to honor those who died in the Civil War. After World War I, the holiday expanded to honor all American service members who died in any war, not just the Civil War.  In 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act to create more three-day weekends for federal employees. This moved Memorial Day to the last Monday in May, effective in 1971, when it was also officially named “Memorial Day.” As one 1868 quote put it: “That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”