Empowering Philips lighting with a cutting-edge mobile application that brings realistic 3D lighting models to life, enhancing customer engagement and streamlining sales through innovative technology
Overview
MetaDesign Solutions successfully partnered with Philips Lighting to develop an advanced mobile application that allows users to explore 3D models of lights in various states, such as turned on, turned off, and with different light shades. The app, built on Unity Engine and supported on both iOS and Android platforms, included features like offline capabilities, data security, and an admin panel for seamless backend management. This solution enhanced customer experience and optimized Philips’ sales process.
about the client
Philips, a global leader in electronics and electrical equipment, is synonymous with innovation in various domains, including lighting. The lighting division, which is now recognized as Signify, has been at the forefront of lighting technology for over a century. With a focus on sustainability and innovation, Signify offers a comprehensive range of lighting products, systems, and services that cater to diverse needs—from home lighting to commercial and industrial solutions. Philips’ commitment to improving the quality of life through meaningful innovation is evident in its expansive portfolio, which includes energy-efficient LED lighting, smart home systems, and connected lighting solutions that leverage advanced technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT).
Signify, the torchbearer of Philips’ lighting legacy, operates in over 70 countries, driving the global shift towards sustainable and intelligent lighting solutions. The company’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in its efforts to reduce carbon footprints through energy-efficient products and smart systems that create safer, more productive environments. With a mission to transform urban landscapes and everyday living spaces, Signify continues to lead the way in lighting innovation, shaping the future of illumination worldwide.
Industry Domain
Technology, Consumer Electronics
Service Category (Service-line)
Mobile App Development / Cloud Backend Development
Technologies Used
Android
IOS
Unity
PHP
AWS
Challenges
Offline Capabilities: Ensuring the app could function offline and sync data seamlessly when internet connectivity was restored.
Data Security and Scalability: Implementing robust data security measures and ensuring horizontal scalability to handle a growing number of users and data.
Maintaining Common Codebase: Developing a unified codebase that supports a wide range of devices across both iOS and Android platforms.
Device Compatibility: Ensuring the app performs optimally across various mobile devices, including low-end smartphones.
3D Model Optimization: Creating realistic, optimized 3D models of lights that closely resemble real-life lighting in different states, without compromising performance on handheld devices.
Solution Scope and Services
MetaDesign Solutions undertook the development of a comprehensive mobile application for Philips’ Home and Commercial Lighting Unit, enabling users to interact with 3D models of lighting products. The app allowed users to explore different lighting effects in real-time, such as turning lights on and off and adjusting light shades, providing an immersive experience. The scope of the project also included developing an admin panel for Philips’ team to manage the 3D models, update product information, and respond to customer inquiries. Additionally, the app was designed to support offline functionality, ensuring uninterrupted user experience even in areas with poor connectivity.
The solution addressed critical business challenges, such as ensuring data security and scalability to handle a growing customer base. By maintaining a common codebase, MetaDesign Solutions ensured that the app was compatible with a wide range of devices, from high-end tablets to basic smartphones. The 3D models were meticulously designed to be lightweight yet highly realistic, enhancing the overall user experience without overburdening device resources. This project not only streamlined Philips’ sales process but also reinforced its reputation as a leader in innovative lighting solutions.
Application Development
The mobile application was developed using the Unity Engine, a powerful platform that allowed for the creation of rich 3D content across both iOS and Android devices. Unity’s cross-platform capabilities enabled MetaDesign Solutions to maintain a single codebase, ensuring consistency and reducing development time. The app provided users with an intuitive interface to browse and interact with 3D models of Philips’ lighting products, showcasing the lights in various states and environments. Unity’s versatility was key in achieving the app’s realistic visual effects, making it a standout tool for both customers and sales teams.
Backend Development
The backend of the application was hosted on AWS Cloud, ensuring reliability, scalability, and security. MetaDesign Solutions employed the YII PHP Framework to develop the admin panel and web API, enabling efficient data management and seamless communication between the mobile app and the backend. The admin panel allowed Philips’ team to update lighting models, manage product information, and monitor customer inquiries in real time. AWS’s robust infrastructure ensured that the application could scale horizontally to accommodate increasing user loads, while maintaining high levels of data security.
Design Optimized 3D Models
Designing 3D models for the application presented a unique challenge: the models needed to be visually compelling and realistic while being optimized for performance on handheld devices. MetaDesign Solutions achieved this by creating lightweight models that accurately represented Philips’ lighting products in both turned-on and turned-off states. Special attention was given to the lighting effects, ensuring they mimicked real-world behavior. These optimized models not only enhanced user interaction but also ensured that the app ran smoothly across a variety of devices, providing a consistent experience for all users.
Results
The development of the mobile application for Philips’ Home and Commercial Lighting Unit by MetaDesign Solutions marked a significant advancement in how customers interact with lighting products. The application successfully bridged the gap between digital and physical experiences, allowing users to visualize lighting products in 3D before making a purchase. By addressing key challenges such as offline capabilities, data security, and device compatibility, MetaDesign Solutions delivered a robust and scalable solution that enhanced Philips’ customer engagement and streamlined its sales processes.
The positive impact of the solution is evident in its ability to provide an immersive and intuitive user experience, reinforcing Philips’ position as a leader in innovative lighting solutions. The application not only supports Philips’ commitment to sustainability by promoting energy-efficient products but also contributes to the company’s ongoing efforts to leverage cutting-edge technology in improving the quality of life for its customers. Through this successful collaboration, MetaDesign Solutions has demonstrated its expertise in delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that drive business growth and customer satisfaction.