Smart-building technology firms Somfy and Igor have announced a partnership to make it easier for architects, designers and building owners to connect and control natural and manufactured lighting.

Igor‘s Nexos IoT platform, enables a variety of devices, such as Somfy smart shading, HVAC controls, low voltage lighting, occupancy sensors and more to talk to one another for optimal automation, cost savings and data analytics. The companies will host a webinar on Nov. 5, 2020, to describe in greater detail the use cases, technology requirements and owner-operator benefits of the collaboration.
 
“Somfy is proud to integrate with Igor to create smart, comfortable and energy-efficient buildings,” says Russell Horowitz, national specification manager.

“Smart shading is a key component to creating innovative spaces that promote wellness and sustainability through natural lighting.”
 

Automated shading allows buildings to rely on natural light, cutting back on cooling and lighting costs. For instance, shades on a particularly sunny part of a building can be scheduled to lower during the hottest part of the day, triggering lighting to brighten and decreasing the pressure put on HVAC systems.
 
Igor’s open API and real-time data also invites data analytics to become part of the smart building conversation. It’s now easy to detect which spaces and devices are calling for the most energy use and to make adjustments based on that analysis. The system can even be configured to make those adjustments in real-time. This allows smart buildings to be adaptive, not just to the natural environment, but also to the occupants inside.
 
“Somfy and Igor are working closely together to create better experiences for our customers,” adds Brittany Mier y Terán, partnerships and custom integration channel manager.

“We’re excited to further enhance the natural and artificial lighting experience in buildings.”

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