LEDVANCE, one of the world’s leading providers of general lighting, was honoured as the winner in the “Excellence in Business to Consumer Lighting” category at the German Innovation Awards 2026 in Berlin on May 12. Following the successful premiere of Elix at Lichtwoche Sauerland and the world’s leading trade fair Light + Building 2026, the company is reinforcing its pioneering spirit with this innovation project.

Behind the project name Elix is an intelligent robot that seamlessly combines lighting, robotics, and emotional interaction. The system is based on the vision that light is far more than mere illumination, as it significantly determines how people work and feel. Elix reacts in real time to the activities, moods, and gestures of users, thereby enabling an adaptive, lifelike interaction.

“Receiving the German Innovation Award validates our approach of rethinking light and pushing the boundaries of what is possible,” explains Dr. Ulrich Weiss, Head of Product Management & Innovation & Global IT at LEDVANCE. “The development of Elix underscores the spirit of innovation and the technological direction we are aiming for.” The project demonstrates how artificial intelligence and advanced robotics can harmoniously occupy the interface between humans and technology.

Intelligent task lighting and emotional intelligence
The AI-enabled Lighting Robot features two operating modes: In Task Lighting Mode, an integrated AI camera automatically detects five application scenarios, including reading, writing, and video conferencing. A modern, six-axis robotic arm directs the light precisely onto the user's respective work area. Simultaneously, the colour temperature and intensity adjust automatically to enhance visual comfort and reduce eye strain.

In Emotional Lighting Mode, Elix recognises the user's facial expressions and gestures, translating them into individually tailored lighting moods, colours, movements, and acoustic feedback. Via integrated gesture control, the robot follows hand movements in real time or reacts gently to touches on its housing.

The jury’s verdict
In its official statement, the jury of the German Innovation Awards noted that ELIX addresses the challenge of tailoring light to individual needs and moods in an exceptionally innovative way. The solution brings together lighting, robotics and emotional interaction to create an immersive experience that goes far beyond conventional lighting. The combination of artificial intelligence, gesture control, and dynamic lighting scenes creates an intuitive companion that enriches everyday life and sets new benchmarks for human-technology interaction.

With this success, the company builds on a strong history. LEDVANCE had already won the German Innovation Award in 2024 for its sustainable luminaire series EVERLOOP in the B2B sector. In September 2025, the AI Companion Lighting Robot Elix was also named the winner in the “Desk Lamps, Floor Lamps” category at the LIT Lighting Design Awards. This renewed recognition in 2026 proves that the lighting expert continues to shape the future of lighting solutions with vision and a proactive approach.

(Photo credit: LEDVANCE)

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