The global lighting industry is set for a significant leap in interoperability with a major announcement from the DALI Alliance. On December 22, 2025, the organization, recognized as the international authority for lighting technology standards, launched its new test and certification specifications for Wireless to DALI Gateways.
Bridging Wired and Wireless Lighting Worlds
This groundbreaking development creates a crucial link between established wired lighting systems and popular wireless ecosystems. The new specifications allow for the seamless control of wired DALI-2 and D4i devices from either Bluetooth® NLC (Networked Lighting Control) or Zigbee wireless networks. This effectively breaks down technological silos, giving specifiers and building managers unprecedented flexibility to choose the best control solution for each application.
Paul Drosihn, General Manager of the DALI Alliance, hailed the release as a significant milestone. "It opens up new possibilities for integrating DALI with wireless systems, creating a broader range of solutions for the industry," Drosihn stated. "By standardizing these gateways, we’re promoting interoperability and providing a clear path forward for developers, manufacturers, and professionals in building automation."
Unlocking Data and Driving Market Confidence
The role of these standardized gateways extends beyond simple command translation. They act as a robust bridge, ensuring effective communication between the DALI protocol and the wireless alternatives. A key benefit is data access: wireless ecosystems can now tap into the rich diagnostic, energy, and luminaire data available from wired DALI devices, particularly from D4i-certified luminaires.
This move is strategically designed to accelerate the adoption of DALI-based solutions within the rapidly evolving smart building sector. Standardized testing and certification foster market confidence, assuring customers that products from different manufacturers will work together reliably. Neville Meijers, CEO of the Bluetooth SIG, emphasized the collaborative achievement, stating, "The completion of the Bluetooth® NLC to DALI Gateway Specification suite marks a significant milestone for lighting control systems." He highlighted that it "untaps the full potential of intelligent lighting systems to deliver consistent, value-added solutions for building management and occupants."
A Future of Flexible, Integrated Solutions
The introduction of these specifications addresses a core need in modern lighting design: the desire to combine the reliability and rich feature set of wired DALI with the installation flexibility of wireless networks. No longer are professionals forced to choose exclusively one path. The new gateways enable hybrid systems, allowing for legacy DALI installations to be integrated into new wireless control schemes and vice-versa.
This development from the DALI Alliance, headquartered in Piscataway, New Jersey, underscores the power of open, industry-defined standards in driving innovation. By providing a standardized framework for Wireless to DALI Gateways, the alliance is paving the way for more sophisticated, adaptable, and data-rich lighting environments in commercial, industrial, and residential settings across Canada and the globe.
