At CEDIA Expo 2023, lighting control, automation, security and outdoor technology took center stage as the hottest categories in the custom installation industry. Here are a few key trends and innovative product introductions that CEDIA Expo highlighted from this year’s emerging market categories.

Lighting Control

CEDIA Expo 2023 featured a wealth of new lighting trends and technologies, including innovations from Crestron, DMF Lighting, Environmental Lights, Lutron, Proluxe by American Lighting, Savant, WAC Lighting/AiSPIRE and Vantage.

Lutron, one of the industry’s most popular brands in the market sector, emphasized the lifestyle benefits of its human-centric tunable lighting and motorized shading systems. Meanwhile, WAC Lighting introduced new luxury lighting fixtures for indoor and outdoor sites, including solutions from their in-house brand, AiSPIRE. WAC Lighting demonstrated the latest innovations with an eye-opening activation, the AiSPIRE Experience Room.

AI and Automation

Scott Steinberg, futurist and innovation expert, kicked off CEDIA Expo 2023 with a keynote discussing the current and future implications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the custom installation industry. Steinberg encouraged the audience to think about their morning routing – from the sound of an alarm to breakfast on the counter. While it seems like a scene from “Back to the Future,” Steinberg believes we might not be so far off. The AI theme continued throughout the shows with thought-provoking seminars and engaging panels that discussed how new opportunities will emerge as AI transforms many aspects of residential and commercial system applications.

AI-powered smart home systems can learn from user’s behaviors and preferences to create personalized automation routines. As the custom installation industry anticipates new advancements in AI and automation, many key manufacturers in home automation have expanded their offerings, increasing functionalities, feature sets, integration capabilities, end-user experience and more.

Control4, an automation brand within Snap One, released the latest version of its operating system and showcased new controllers, including the Halo Touch. Additionally, Savant introduced Savant Home Manager, a home management tool created to simplify, enhance and expand user experience beyond traditional mobile apps, in-wall devices and remote controls.

Security

The increased convergence in smart home and security industries has been evident in recent years. CEDIA Expo 2023 spotlighted the growing trend as more security, surveillance and access control manufacturers collaborate to provide interoperable solutions to expand cross-platform automation functionality for consumers.

Ring highlighted a unified approach to smart home integration by emphasizing native integrations with Alexa-based solutions, such as Echo, Fire TV, Alexa Auto and Amazon eero and third-party platforms, including a new integration with URC. Meanwhile, Kaadas unveiled the KA227-V Smart Video Doorbell-Smart Lock, which combines a smart doorbell and a door lock. The combination of a doorbell and door lock enables users to answer the doorbell, verify the person via a 1080p camera, and open the door within a single platform.

Outdoor Technology

As industry professionals anticipate continued growth in outdoor technology, CEDIA Expo 2023 says it proved to meet the increased demands with new technologies for outdoor environments.

Destination Outdoors returned to CEDIA Expo 2023 and the activation featured new trends for outdoor spaces. Coastal Source, a manufacturer of outdoor audio and lighting systems, partnered with Draper At Home, a manufacturer of residential window shades and audiovisual equipment, and Just Video Walls, a manufacturer of dvLED video walls, digital signage, video processors and digital video content, to host Destination Outdoors.

Notably, Just Video Walls made their grand entrance with an installer-focused perspective and a range of spec and custom microLED models. Just Video Walls’ unveiled a spec line consisting of pre-configured sizes and custom offerings depending on the job and application, tailored to meet clients’ specific needs or requests. Meanwhile, Draper featured FlexShade ZIP, a motorized, wind tunnel-tested roller shade that resists wind, weather and insects to create a comfortable outdoor space.

If you missed CEDIA Expo 2023, or you’re interested in learning more about the latest trends and technologies, CEDIA Expo recapped the show floor. Learn more: https://www.youtube.com/@cediaexpo2239