The narrative around Visible Light Communication is broadening far beyond just an alternative to WiFi. Researchers and companies are unlocking a diverse spectrum of applications that leverage light's unique properties. From revolutionizing indoor navigation to enabling secure industrial automation and even facilitating underwater communications, VLC is demonstrating its versatility as a multi-faceted enabling technology for a smarter, more connected world.

This expansion into new verticals is the primary driver behind its staggering growth projections. According to Straits Research, the global visible light communication landscape was valued at USD 52.83 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 88.46 billion in 2025 to USD 5467.8 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 67.45% during the forecast period (2025-2033). This growth is increasingly attributed to these novel use cases beyond traditional data comms.

Regional Innovation Hubs and Developments

Innovation is global, with different regions exploring applications aligned with their technological strengths:

• Europe: A traditional hub for VLC research, European entities are strong in fundamental research and industrial applications. The University of Oxford (UK) and ETH Zurich (Switzerland) continue to publish groundbreaking research on increasing data rates and system efficiency. Companies like Lucibel (France) are focused on developing LiFi solutions for the French defense and security sectors.

• United States: The U.S. focus is on venture-backed innovation and integration with existing tech ecosystems. Startups like VLNComm and LightBee are developing specialized products for secure government and enterprise use. Major tech companies are investing in R&D; a recent patent from Google (USA) detailed a system for using VLC for accurate indoor positioning within large buildings like airports and malls.

• Asia-Pacific: This region is a hotbed for manufacturing and consumer electronics integration. Japan has long been a leader, with companies like Casio having prototyped LiFi-enabled projectors years ago. In China, significant government-backed research initiatives are exploring VLC for 6G foundational technology and its use in smart city infrastructure. South Korea's Samsung Electronics has also invested in VLC research for future consumer devices.

Recent News and the Positioning Revolution

One of the most immediate and commercially viable applications is Visible Light Positioning (VLP). Unlike GPS, which fails indoors, VLP can provide centimeter-level accuracy. Each LED light fixture can broadcast a unique identifier, which a smartphone camera or dedicated sensor can receive to determine its exact location.

In a major recent announcement, IKEA confirmed it is testing a VLC-based indoor positioning system in its stores to help customers navigate the vast aisles and find products effortlessly using their smartphones. This real-world trial by a global retailer validates the technology's practical utility. In another breakthrough, a team of researchers from Zhejiang University (China) demonstrated a novel underwater VLC system that achieved unprecedented range and stability, opening new possibilities for communication between submarines, divers, and unmanned underwater vehicles without the latency of acoustic waves.