SpatialAware: Philips Hue announces new lighting feature

At CES in Las Vegas, Philips Hue today announced a new software feature that will be released exclusively for the Hue Bridge Pro in the spring. It’s called SpatialAware and has absolutely nothing to do with the previous MotionAware. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly what it’s all about.

What exactly does SpatialAware do with Philips Hue smart lighting?

Unlike classic scenes from the Hue light scene gallery, SpatialAware takes into account the position of each light point in the room. This allows colors to be intelligently tailored to the conditions on site to ensure the most natural representation possible.

When you use SpatialAware in a room, the scenes should appear even more immersive and lifelike. “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,” writes Philips Hue in a press release.

How to set up SpatialAware in the Philips Hue app

SpatialAware will be available exclusively for the Hue Bridge Pro and is scheduled to launch in spring 2026. First, you need to scan the desired rooms with your smartphone camera and use augmented reality to determine the positions of the individual lights. A smart algorithm then ensures that the light points throughout the room are coordinated. Even after setup, new lamps can be added without any problems.

You will then use SpatialAware with about half of the pre-installed light scenes: select a scene, activate the mode, and you’re ready to go. Of course, you still have the option of using the classic scenes.

Two sample images directly from Philips Hue

In its press release, Philips Hue sent images of selected scenes with and without SpatialAware. In the following two images, you can see the scene “lake mist”.

So, which image shows SpatialAware? I’ll tell you: it’s the top image. I’m not the only one who finds this a little perplexing.

I’ve already tried SpatialAware for you

Fortunately, I was able to see the new feature with my own eyes in Las Vegas. Thanks to the AR function, setup is really quick and easy. The customized scenes are actually very different from the previous scenes.

Why? For example, the Hue app now knows exactly which lamps you use for ceiling lighting. These are no longer mixed together in a colorful jumble, but are perfectly coordinated. The same applies, for example, to the gradient color transitions of corresponding products, where SpatialAware even takes the orientation into account.

And in the future, the technology could be used for other purposes. For example, for easy setup of a Hue Entertainment Zone—where previously you had to manually determine the position of the lights.

These are the other announcements from Philips Hue

In addition to the new SpatialAware, Philips Hue has announced further innovations. Apple Home Support will be expanded and the AI assistant will soon be available in additional languages. You can find out more in another article.