AMSTERDAM, May 25, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Philips Electronics today gave a glimpse of what our future living environments could be like with the unveiling of three concepts - 'Healing Bed', 'Air Tree' and 'Soundbarrier'. All three concepts aim to reconnect us with the natural environment, an increasingly rare commodity in a today's urbanized world. The three concepts, which are part of a wider exploration into managing natural elements, mark the launch of Philips Livable Cities Awards, an initiative to generate simple ideas for improving the health and well-being of people living in cities. The global award is open to individuals, community groups and businesses and carries a total prize fund of over GBP 100,000. All details for the Philips Livable Cities Awards can be found at http://www.philips.com/because. The deadline for submission is October 28, 2010 with winners being announced in 2011.

Healing Bed

Through a fibre-optic bed canopy, natural light is transported from outside to the Healing Bed. Using UV, infra-red and other frequency spectrum filters, the canopy brings daylight and moonlight into the bedroom. Specific therapeutic light frequencies can be filtered for health benefits. The Healing Bed senses biometric signals and produces relaxing natural light effects and sound to enhance the waking experience.

Air Tree

Indoor air quality, such as homes, offices and schools, can be up to ten times worse than the quality of air outside. The Air Tree is created from textile covering a vaporizer and is designed to 'breathe' in rhythm to the airflow outside. Unlike an air-conditioner or fan that regulates air by channeling constant streams of air, this concept creates variation in the interior atmospheric condition - breeze, moisture variation, etc. The movement of the 'mobile' relates to the weather outside and is intended to create a subliminal connection to the nature which surrounds us.

Soundbarrier

Environmental noise pollution is not only more severe and widespread than ever before, predictions point to an increase in magnitude and severity because of population growth and urbanization. While noise-cancellation technology has existed for many years, it has never before been used to manage the soundscape which surrounds us - letting in-natural sound while filtering out noise pollution. The concepts are designed for the home, office or hospital space and create a 'nature' filter to overcome the barriers which separate us from the natural environment.

Healing Bed, Air Tree, and Soundbarrier from the Metamorphosis Probe, which is part of a wider initiative from Philips, called Design Probe's program. The program is a dedicated, far-future research initiative to track trends and developments to understand better lifestyles over the next few decades.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people's lives through timely innovations. As a world leader in healthcare, lifestyle and lighting, Philips integrates technologies and design into people-centric solutions, based on fundamental customer insights and the brand promise of sense and simplicity. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips employs approximately 116,000 employees in more than 60 countries worldwide. With sales of EUR 23 billion in 2009, the company is a market leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as lifestyle products for personal well-being and pleasure with strong leadership positions in flat TV, male shaving and grooming, portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at http://www.philips.com/newscenter.

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SOURCE: Royal Philips Electronics

CONTACT: For further information, please contact: Laura Wilkinson, PhilipsCorporate Communications UK,+44-(0)1483-298677, Laura.j.wilkinson@philips.com Or Mark Jackson, OneVoicefor Philips,+44-(0)207-554-1648, m.jackson@togorun.net