RF Safe

Li-Fi and Internet of Things (IoT)

2024 · Mixed · Very low evidence

← Research stream
MixedVery low evidencePaper 6864

In a wireless trial at an ambulance station, Li-Fi was reported to be easy to install and intuitive for many users, but it had slightly slower speeds than available Wi-Fi, restrictive locational requirements, and limited hardware availability. IoT sensors and…

Study snapshot

Publicationmanual · 2024
Study typeengineering
Reported directionMixed
Evidence ratingVery low

Abstract

NHS England have collaborated with North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust (NWAS) and provided funding for a Wireless Trial, to implement Li-Fi technology and IoT devices in ambulance stations as part of their smart ambulance stations initiative. This innovative trial tested if utilising Li-Fi technology along with connected Internet of Things (IoT) devices can foster operational efficiencies in the trust’s day to day activities and reduce overall energy usage, helping the trust achieve sustainability goals. The trust trialled two initiatives simultaneously: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and a designated area using Li-Fi technology. The trial deployed in September 2024, with IoT devices (including PoE lighting) being placed in twelve areas of the station, and Li-Fi sensors installed in one meeting room. Results indicated that Li-Fi was easy to install and intuitive for many users, but speeds were slightly slower than available Wi‑Fi, locational requirements were restrictive, and hardware availability limited deployment. IoT sensors and PoE lighting supported automation and centralized monitoring. The case study concludes that Li‑Fi device sensor technology is currently not mature enough to be recommended for wider use in the NHS, though IoT devices and PoE lighting showed practical benefits.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typeengineering
Effect directionmixed
PopulationAmbulance station operational environment within North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Sample sizeNot supplied
ExposureNot supplied
Evidence strengthVery lowConfidence: 92% · Peer reviewed: no

Main findings

In a wireless trial at an ambulance station, Li-Fi was reported to be easy to install and intuitive for many users, but it had slightly slower speeds than available Wi-Fi, restrictive locational requirements, and limited hardware availability. IoT sensors and PoE lighting supported automation and centralized monitoring, and the case study concluded that Li-Fi device sensor technology was not yet mature enough for wider NHS recommendation.

Outcomes measured

  • Operational efficiency
  • Energy usage
  • Ease of installation
  • Usability
  • Connection speed compared with Wi-Fi
  • Deployment constraints
  • Automation
  • Centralized monitoring
  • Technology maturity for wider NHS use

Limitations

  • Case study/trial description rather than a controlled health study
  • Sample size not stated
  • Deployment was limited to one meeting room for Li-Fi sensors and twelve station areas for IoT devices
  • No quantitative effect estimates reported in the abstract
View raw extracted JSON
{
  "study_type": "engineering",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "Li-Fi, IoT devices, PoE lighting",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": "Ambulance station operational environment within North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust",
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "Operational efficiency",
    "Energy usage",
    "Ease of installation",
    "Usability",
    "Connection speed compared with Wi-Fi",
    "Deployment constraints",
    "Automation",
    "Centralized monitoring",
    "Technology maturity for wider NHS use"
  ],
  "main_findings": "In a wireless trial at an ambulance station, Li-Fi was reported to be easy to install and intuitive for many users, but it had slightly slower speeds than available Wi-Fi, restrictive locational requirements, and limited hardware availability. IoT sensors and PoE lighting supported automation and centralized monitoring, and the case study concluded that Li-Fi device sensor technology was not yet mature enough for wider NHS recommendation.",
  "effect_direction": "mixed",
  "limitations": [
    "Case study/trial description rather than a controlled health study",
    "Sample size not stated",
    "Deployment was limited to one meeting room for Li-Fi sensors and twelve station areas for IoT devices",
    "No quantitative effect estimates reported in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "very_low",
  "confidence": 0.92,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "no",
  "keywords": [
    "Li-Fi",
    "IoT",
    "PoE lighting",
    "ambulance stations",
    "NHS",
    "wireless trial",
    "operational efficiency",
    "energy usage",
    "automation"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}
AI can be wrong. Always verify against the paper.

AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: Not supplied
PubMed: Not supplied

Read the original paper →

Related papers

← Back to the Research Library