Silicon Labs and Signify are collaborating on an extension of the Friends of Hue program enabling ecosystem partners to develop smart light switches for Philips Hue systems. Silicon Labs is providing the Zigbee cluster libraries, software tools, reference application and technical expertise to help participating companies certified by the Friends of Hue program quickly design and produce light switch products guaranteed to work flawlessly with the Philips Hue smart lighting system.
Friends of Hue ecosystem enables third-party vendors and brands to build certified, interoperable smart lighting products that integrate seamlessly with Philips Hue, the leading Zigbee-based smart lighting solution. Silicon Labs, a key Friends of Hue partner, has worked closely with Signify to define the Zigbee cluster and provide compliant software to enable advanced light switch functionality, such as user-friendly setup in the Philips Hue app and deploying firmware updates through the Hue cloud. Silicon Labs’ Zigbee software development kit implements the Friends of Hue specification, allowing third-party vendors to build certified devices that are guaranteed to integrate with Philips Hue.
“We believe smart lighting should be accessible to everyone, and convenient smart light control via the light switch is a key part of this vision,” said Duncan McCue, Head of Partnerships, Signify. “The Friends of Hue Switches program is helping partners develop innovative light switches that integrate seamlessly with the Hue ecosystem, improving the smart lighting experience for millions of consumers worldwide. We are delighted to collaborate with Silicon Labs in expanding the Friends of Hue program to enable battery-powered light switches into the Hue ecosystem, based on Zigbee technology for maximum reliability and interoperability.”
When end users turn off smart lights using legacy wall switches, the lights are powered off and cannot be controlled using apps, voice commands, schedules or sensors. Friends of Hue switches enable reliable Hue smart lighting control directly from wall switches, keeping the Hue lights “always-ready” while providing a familiar interface everyone knows how to use. The Silicon Labs Friends of Hue software development kit (SDK) enables a variety of smart light switch designs and increases the choice of compatible switches for Philips Hue users.
