“Wireless Light, Free Chase” was recognized with a Lighting Control Innovation Award of Excellence in the 2024 Illumination Awards held by the Illuminating Engineering Society. Lighting and control design by Huanguzhidao (HG) Lighting Technology Co., Ltd. Photography by Kang Chenggu.
The Lighting Control Innovation Award was created in 2011 as part of the Illuminating Engineering Society’s Illumination Awards program, which recognizes professionalism, ingenuity and originality in lighting design. The Lighting Controls Academy is proud to be a founding and longstanding sponsor of the Lighting Control Innovation Award, which recognizes projects that exemplify the effective use of lighting controls.
This project is located on the pathways along Jinji Lake, a scenic area in the core area of Suzhou, China. Taking the opportunity of the Jinji lakeside environmental improvement movement by the government-led urban micro-renewal project, this project focuses on upgrading the lighting facilities and control system of a trestle bridge and pathways to create a continuous 15-kilometer intelligent lakeside running route and a 3.5-kilometer interactive “light-chasing” running path over water and shoreline.
Users can access the system via a mobile app (WeChat Mini Program) for intelligent route planning, experiencing distinctive functions such as dynamic light interactions, scenic spot introductions, and AI-captured “highlight moments.” Participants may also select preferred lighting colors to experience the chasing and accompanying effect of the lighting through the “light-chasing” running paths.
The project faced technical challenges for the control system, including GPS positioning inaccuracies, privacy concerns with camera recognition, real-time video capture and push, and integration of the interactive lighting system into the urban night-view management platform.
Designers employed digital twin technology and Bluetooth beacon networks to achieve sub-2-meter precision positioning and multi-dimensional interactions. User identification is managed via linked accounts, while AI cameras utilize distributed algorithms to push highlight moments. The lighting control system adopts a dual-mode DMX512 and Bluetooth protocol, balancing aesthetic integration with the city’s nighttime scenery and interesting human-light interactions.
Energy efficiency is prioritized through low-power Bluetooth components, standby power-saving modes, and on-demand dimming. The project seeks to combine innovative technology with urban nightscapes, creating a warm lakeside fitness environment that encourages outdoor activities and promotes healthy lifestyles. By blending cutting-edge interactivity with ecological mindfulness, it aspires to become a model for urban wellness and community engagement under the stars.
Creating a continuous 15-kilometer intelligent lakeside running route and a 3.5-kilometer interactive “light-chasing” running path over water and shoreline by the wireless control system.
Via a mobile app for intelligent route planning, experiencing distinctive functions such as dynamic light interactions, scenic spot introductions,and AI-captured “highlight moments.”
All the facilities are equipped with Bluetooth modules. More than 11,000 devices are networked through Bluetooth mesh to achieve the accurate positioning and interactive functions.
The lighting control system adopts a dual-mode DMX512 and Bluetooth protocol, balancing aesthetic integration with the city’s nighttime scenery and interesting human-light interactions.
Customized luminaires with specialized optics (front-polished lenses), heat-dissipating, and constant-power drivers based on the installation conditions of the original lamps on the trestle bridge.
Digital twin and Bluetooth beacon technology to achieve sub-2-meter precision positioning and multi-dimensional interactions. linked accounts for user identification, distributed algorithms utilized for AI cameras.
Energy efficiency is prioritized through low-power Bluetooth components, standby power-saving modes, and on-demand dimming.
When passing the interactive chasing lights paths, users can select the light colors in the app according to their own preferences.
The running track (or trestle bridge) lighting automatically switches to the interactive light-chasing (Bluetooth-controlled) mode, providing an immersive experience of light-accompanied running.
This light-chasing feature allows each runner to participate in the “creation” and “construction” of Jinji Lake’s urban nightscape through their running.
