Trends in Lighting | LEDVANCE | Jul 02, 2026

LEDVANCE Wins German Innovation Award 2026 For AI-driven Lighting Robot Elix

LEDVANCE, one of the world's leading providers of general lighting, has been named the winner in the Excellence in Business-to-Consumer Lighting category at the German Innovation Awards 2026, held in Berlin in May. Following the successful debut of Elix at Lichtwoche Sauerland and its showcase at the world's leading lighting trade fair, Light + Building 2026, the award reinforces the company's reputation for driving innovation in lighting technology.

At the heart of the project is Elix, an intelligent lighting robot that seamlessly combines lighting, robotics and emotional interaction. Developed around the belief that lighting is about far more than illumination, Elix responds in real time to users' activities, moods and gestures, creating an adaptive, intuitive and lifelike experience.

"Receiving the German Innovation Award validates our approach to rethinking light and pushing the boundaries of what is possible," said Dr. Ulrich Weiss, Head of Product Management & Innovation & Global IT at LEDVANCE. "The development of Elix reflects our commitment to innovation and the technological direction we are pursuing." The project demonstrates how artificial intelligence and advanced robotics can work together to create a more natural and engaging interaction between people and technology.

Intelligent task lighting meets emotional intelligence

The AI-enabled Lighting Robot offers two operating modes. In Task Lighting Mode, an integrated AI camera automatically identifies five different application scenarios, including reading, writing and video conferencing. A sophisticated six-axis robotic arm directs light precisely onto the user's workspace, while both the colour temperature and light intensity automatically adjust to improve visual comfort and help reduce eye strain.

In Emotional Lighting Mode, Elix recognises the user's facial expressions and gestures, translating them into personalised lighting scenes, colours, movements and acoustic feedback. Using integrated gesture control, the robot follows hand movements in real time and also responds gently to touch via its housing.

The judges' verdict

In its official statement, the German Innovation Awards jury said Elix addresses the challenge of adapting lighting to individual needs and moods in an exceptionally innovative way. By combining lighting, robotics and emotional interaction, the solution creates an immersive experience that extends far beyond conventional lighting.

The jury highlighted the combination of artificial intelligence, gesture control and dynamic lighting scenes, which together create an intuitive companion that enriches everyday life while setting new benchmarks for human-technology interaction.

This latest achievement builds on LEDVANCE's strong track record of innovation. The company previously received the German Innovation Award in 2024 for its sustainable EVERLOOP luminaire range in the B2B sector. In September 2025, the AI Companion Lighting Robot Elix was also recognised as the winner in the Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps category at the LIT Lighting Design Awards.

This latest recognition demonstrates LEDVANCE's continued commitment to shaping the future of lighting through innovation, intelligent technology and forward-thinking design. Further information on the LEDVANCE AI Companion Lighting Robot at the German Innovation Award can be found here.