Philips Hue introduces SpatialAware to bring coordinated lighting to every room
Philips Hue unveils SpatialAware, a smart lighting feature that coordinates room lights, alongside major ecosystem and AI updates.
Philips Hue has revealed a new software feature designed to make smart homes feel more natural and visually balanced. Announced during CES 2026, the technology, called SpatialAware, aims to ensure that every light in a room works together rather than competing for attention. The company said the system analyses the position of each light and adjusts its colour so that rooms appear more realistic and atmospheric.
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The feature will be available only for the Hue Bridge Pro and is expected to launch in spring 2026. Philips Hue explained that SpatialAware is meant to move lighting beyond simple colour changes and towards a coordinated experience that better reflects real-world environments. The company said, “In a sunset scene, for example, the lights on one side of the room emit warm yellow tones to mimic the setting sun, while the ceiling lights on the opposite side reflect darker shades.”
How SpatialAware works inside the smart home
To use SpatialAware, users will begin by scanning a room with their smartphone camera. Using augmented reality, the system detects the placement of lamps, ceiling fixtures and accent lighting. Once the room has been mapped, an algorithm determines how each light should behave within a selected lighting scene. Philips Hue said the system will continue to update if new lamps are installed later, ensuring ongoing accuracy.
After the setup, users can choose one of Hue’s themed mood scenes and activate the mode. Philips Hue demonstrated the capability by showing how lights that were once working independently could now appear unified. According to the company, the lights are “no longer mixed in a colourful jumble… but are perfectly coordinated.” The firm added that even products with gradient colour transitions benefit, as SpatialAware takes orientation and light direction into account to create smoother visual results.
SpatialAware has been introduced as an evolution of smart lighting rather than simply another feature. By leveraging environmental awareness and spatial context, Philips Hue is positioning the update as a step toward lighting that reacts intelligently to a user’s home, rather than requiring constant manual adjustment.
Additional ecosystem updates planned for 2026
Alongside SpatialAware, Philips Hue has announced several updates aimed at improving the wider Hue ecosystem. One of the key enhancements will allow users to migrate multiple existing Hue Bridges into a single Bridge Pro during installation. This is expected to simplify upgrades and make it easier for households with many smart lights to manage their systems.
Philips Hue is also expanding compatibility with Apple’s smart home platform. Soon, the Hue Secure Camera, Hue Secure Video Doorbell, and Hue Contact Sensors will work directly with Apple Home. Users will be able to view live video in picture-in-picture mode on Apple TV while also receiving real-time alerts within the Apple Home app. These updates aim to make Philips Hue devices more flexible for users already deeply invested in Apple’s ecosystem.
In addition, the company confirmed that its Hue AI assistant is receiving a significant update. Users can now create automations using natural language requests, making scheduling easier. Philips Hue gave an example command: “wake me up at 6:45 AM every day except on Wednesdays.” Support for additional languages, including Dutch, German and Spanish, will also be rolled out, expanding accessibility for international users. The Hue app will also display automations within the rooms and zones it controls, helping users manage routines without navigating multiple menus.
A push toward smarter and more intuitive living environments
Philips Hue’s announcements reflect a wider shift in the smart home industry toward technology that feels less technical and more seamlessly integrated into daily life. Instead of having users constantly adjust settings, the company aims to let lighting adapt automatically to the environment. SpatialAware is intended to make lighting scenes look more realistic, whether it is simulating outdoor light movement or coordinating soft ambient tones for relaxation.
By enhancing its AI assistant and strengthening Apple Home compatibility, Philips Hue also appears focused on streamlining user experience. The updates are positioned to reduce friction during setup, improve automation control and provide smarter responses to users’ needs. With features arriving from early 2026 through the first quarter of the year, Philips Hue is preparing for a period of significant platform growth.
The company’s approach suggests that home lighting is moving beyond simple decoration. Philips Hue wants users to experience lighting as a dynamic part of their living space, helping shape mood, comfort and usability in more intuitive ways. If SpatialAware delivers as promised, coordinated lighting could become a key factor in how future smart homes are designed and experienced.
