Experience lighting before you buy with VR

Professional fashion retail customers simply download the new Philips Fashion Lighting VR iOS or Android app to their phone and place their device in a VR headset. Accurate 3D renderings enable them to then immerse themselves in a virtual fashion store and see first-hand how lighting can make shop windows more dynamic to attract a shopper's attention and draw footfall into the store. The app lets them visualise the power of lighting to make whites brighter, blacks crispier and colours more vibrant. It also hopes to illustrate the importance of lighting in virtual fitting rooms to positively influence the buying decision. 

"The reaction from retail customers is very positive," said Ronald Gelten, Retail Fashion Lighting Manager at Signify. "They tell me wow this is fantastic, it's amazing to see the store change when I alter the lighting - you really feel like you're there. It makes my job that bit easier as virtual reality is a hugely powerful addition to our sales toolkit."

Meanwhile, Signify's new Philips Urban VR experience takes city lighting managers and planners on a journey along a virtual street, allowing them to visualise different effects from Philips street light luminaires as they walk down the road. The interactive experience allows them to make more informed decisions when selecting the lighting that's best for their city or town. Signify has created a virtual city centre, park and residential area.

Chris Damkat, VR Specialist at Signify, added: "Lighting is a visual medium. This innovative app lets potential customers step into a virtual world where they can see how lighting and different designs - such as patterns cast by the different luminaires - will look to citizens. Designers, managers and smart city planners can see for themselves and feel assured about their choices. Today's virtual reality technology is more affordable and accessible than ever before. It engages the senses, making it the perfect visualisation tool."