To expand the company’s presence in the Chinese market, Philips Lighting has formed a joint venture with Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi. The cooperative company, owned 70% by Philips and other 30% by Xiaomi, aims to promote smart home lighting in China.
To expand the company’s presence in the Chinese market, Philips Lighting has formed a joint venture with Chinese electronics maker Xiaomi. The cooperative company, owned 70% by Philips and other 30% by Xiaomi, aims to promote smart home lighting in China.
According to the agreement, the joint venture will design and develop connected LED lighting products into Xiaomi’s smart home platform, including apps for controlling the lights on Android and IoS-based smartphones. The co-developed products will be sold in Xiaomi’s retail stores.
After the deal, Philips Lighting is able to access Xiaomi’s existing broad reach in the Chinese market to promote its smart lighting products, such as Philips Hue.
While for Xiaomi, the company can leverage Philips Lighting’s technology to strengthen its product development in the smart home industry.
Philips has built up a leading position at outdoor luminaires, lamps, indoor luminaires, lighting controls and smart lighting systems while Xiaomi has entered the market with bedside lamps and desk lamps. The partnership, on the other hand, is able to create a greater product portfolio for both companies.
This is not the first the two companies working together. Last year, Philips has helped Xiaomi to develop the connected desk lamp, Smart Led. The lamp can adjust the light intensity according to the user’s task so that it doesn’t hurt the eyes. And the technology behind this application is right Philips’ light calibration algorithm optimizing light for the optimum comfort patent.
“Bringing together Xiaomi’s winning platform and online marketing philosophy with Philips Lighting’ superior connected lighting technology is a great idea,” said John Wang, the market leader for Great China of Philips Lighting, at an official statement. In the coming months, Xiaomi’s smart home customer will be able to access Philips Lighting’s connected LED lighting products, according to the announcement.
In the smart home market, Xiaomi has released a range of products, including water purifier, air purifier, routers, smart security camera, bedside lighting and smart wall outlet. Besides physical retail stores, the consumer can also access its products through the websites.