TL;DR
Philips Hue is introducing SpatialAware, a feature that uses smartphone AR scans to map the positions of lights and apply coordinated colors across a room. The feature requires the Hue Bridge Pro and is expected to arrive in the spring.
What happened
Philips Hue is preparing SpatialAware, a new scene-generation capability that takes each light’s physical location into account when applying colors. Instead of assigning colors randomly across bulbs, users will scan rooms with a smartphone camera and an augmented-reality process will identify where fixtures sit. A software algorithm then distributes colors across those mapped points so scenes better reflect real-world gradients—for example, placing warmer tones on one side of a room to mimic a setting sun and cooler shades elsewhere. The company shared sample images showing the effect on an existing scene called Lake Mist. SpatialAware is not a general software update for all setups: Philips Hue has stated the feature will depend on the Hue Bridge Pro. Sign-up materials indicate the rollout is scheduled for the spring, but broader compatibility and live performance in diverse home layouts remain to be seen.
Why it matters
- Lighting scenes could look more natural and immersive by matching colors to physical layout instead of scattering hues randomly.
- Users who want spatially coherent effects may need to scan rooms, introducing a new setup step that leverages AR.
- The requirement for Hue Bridge Pro means an additional hardware dependency for users wanting the feature.
- Third-party and official apps that currently create scenes may face new integration choices around spatial mapping.
Key facts
- SpatialAware adapts scene colors based on each light’s mapped position in a room.
- Setup involves scanning rooms with a smartphone camera using augmented reality to locate individual lights.
- A coordination algorithm assigns colors across mapped light points to create gradients and directional effects.
- Philips provided example imagery that applies the approach to its Lake Mist scene to mimic a sunset gradient.
- The feature requires the Hue Bridge Pro hardware.
- Philips Hue says SpatialAware is due to arrive in the spring.
- Both the official Hue app and third-party apps can already create color scenes today, but current distributions are randomized.
- The publisher’s writer noted it’s unclear how well SpatialAware will perform in real homes and expressed a personal preference for the prior look in sample images.
What to watch next
- How SpatialAware performs across different room sizes, ceiling heights and fixture arrangements — not confirmed in the source
- Whether third-party Hue apps will support SpatialAware or if it will be limited to the official Hue app — not confirmed in the source
- Confirmed: Philips Hue says SpatialAware requires the Hue Bridge Pro
- Confirmed: Philips Hue plans to release SpatialAware in the spring
Quick glossary
- Hue Bridge Pro: A Philips Hue network hub that connects smart lights to apps and enables advanced features and integrations.
- Augmented reality (AR): Technology that overlays digital information or objects onto a view of the real world, often through a smartphone camera.
- Lighting scene: A preset combination of colors and brightness levels applied to multiple lights to create a particular mood or effect.
- Algorithm: A set of programmed rules or calculations used by software to process data and produce results, such as coordinating colors across lights.
- Gradient: A gradual transition between colors or tones, often used to create natural-looking lighting effects.
Reader FAQ
What is SpatialAware?
A Philips Hue feature that maps the positions of lights via smartphone AR and applies coordinated colors across a room.
How do I set it up?
According to Philips Hue, you scan rooms with your smartphone camera using an AR workflow to determine where lights are located.
When will SpatialAware be available?
Philips Hue has said it will arrive in the spring.
Which bulbs and apps will support SpatialAware?
not confirmed in the source
I think Apple should take this radical approach to the new Siri Ben Lovejoy Jan 5 2026 Philips Hue lighting is about to get a lot smarter with SpatialAware Ben…
Sources
- Philips Hue lighting is about to get a lot smarter with SpatialAware
- MotionAwareTM: Transform Your Hue Lights into Motion …
- Philips' Hue app now uses AR to preview how a smart …
- Philips Hue 5.27 adds exciting augmented reality function
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