Philips Lighting has launched a “chatbot” on its Singapore Facebook page, allowing users to gather information and even buy consumer products on the message platform.

It offers around-the-clock help with lighting purchase decisions. The chatbot responds to inquiries with product recommendations, and users can make purchases directly on the platform itself.

People anywhere in the world can try out the chatbot, providing they access it via the Philips Singapore Facebook page.

Philips Lighting’s launch of a Facebook messenger bot, a first for the industry, is part of its LEDs Get Smart campaign, aimed at educating consumers on the benefits of installing the right lights at home. As part of the initiative, the company has also partnered with Lazada Singapore to launch its first-ever specialty e-store on the e-commerce platform.

“The partnership with Facebook and Lazada Singapore will serve as an excellent opportunity for Philips Lighting to tap into the growing e-commerce market segment to unlock new business revenue,” says MD Alok Ghose, who is also cluster leader for the company in Singapore and Malaysia and for exports.

He says the platforms will enable Singaporean households to connect their home lighting systems to the Internet of Things.