Target and Carrefour Test VLC

Electronics360: Carrefour SA, the largest retailer in Europe, is experimenting with visible light communications, becoming the first major retailer to install Philips’ connected lighting system with LED-based indoor positioning at its newly refurbished supermarket in Lille, France. The Carrefour news comes about a month after it was reported that U.S. retailer Target will use indoor positioning, widely believed to be VLC-based, to power its in-store app to help customers navigate its stores.

The Carrefour supermarket system has 800 LED fixtures that use Philips VLC technology to transmit location. Philips software and cloud-based location database are integrated into Carrefour’s mobile app.

Update: Philips posted infographics of how it works:

Philips also posted a Youtube video showing its Carrefour trial:



“We are leading the way with connected lighting for retail with Carrefour,” comments Gerben van der Lugt, Head of LED-based indoor positioning at Philips Lighting. “Our connected lighting system has the potential to transform shopping into a more interactive and personalized experience. At the same time it will enable retailers to differentiate themselves, enhance customer loyalty and provide new services to shoppers.”