automation

Comcast has launched a home monitoring and automation service for its Vermont customers.  Called the “Xfinity Home”, the service offers a range of security and energy management solutions, such as the ability to manage your thermostats remotely. In addition to asking your neighbour to keep an eye on your home while you are away, you can keep an eye on it as well.  Xfinity Home offers live video stream from your in home wireless cameras.

Carlo Gavazzi has launched an energy efficient Smart-house Dimmer for the style and energy conscious households.  According to the company, the SH2 dimmer delivers improved dimming performance and features programmable ramp and soft start/stop times. Based on the Dupline Installation bus the SH2 dimmer is ideal light management solution for the automated home.

Verizon has solidified its commitment in the home automation and monitoring market by joining the Z-Wave Alliance.  They will now play a bigger role in promoting the Z-Wave technology and have a direct say in its direction. Verizon has also indicated their interest in making their set-top box solution wireless; therefore, joining the Z-Wave Alliance is one step in that direction.

AT&T initially indicated that they were planning to enter the home monitoring and automation market, has made it official. They will be unveiling it at this year’s GSMA Connected House Congress in Barcelona. The new home monitoring platform for service providers – is called “AT&T Digital Life”. The IP web based solution will give service providers the capabilities to offer their customers customizable, web-based home automation, energy and security services.

Vivint has combined its home automation system with Kwitset SmartCode Signature Series locks to offer homeowners an enhanced home security solution. Homes with Vivint’s Home Connect can now integrate Kwikset’s Home Connect enabled locks to add automated security to their home automation platform.

Taylor Morrison is offering Texan home buyers of different budget range the opportunity to have an interactive home. The home builder is integrating home automation technologies across its range of homes.  Taylor Morrison said the connected home solution will allow home owners to screen visitors at the front door, change the music in the family room, and control their home from the palm of their hand.

Jungo and DSP Group have announced plans to jointly develop a home monitoring and automaton solution based on DECT Ultra Low Energy (ULE) technology. The collaboration joins together DSP's DECT ULE chipset and Jungo's OpenRG advanced middleware for residential gateways. DECT ULE is an ideal home monitoring and automaton platform as it offers long battery life, ease of installation and configuration and extended coverage.

In partnership with private developers Gale International, South Korea is nearing the end of an ambitious $35 Billion project. They have set themselves the task of building a city from scratch with all the essential infrastructure homes, School, offices, hospitals and shopping centres and hotels.  Unlike any of the other Korean cities, ‘Songdo’ will be smart, connected and almost self sufficient.

Amdocs has announced the launch of two new solutions for service providers wanting to offer both M2M (Machine-to-Machine) and Connected Home services or either.  The new solutions according to Amdocs will enable service providers to quickly and cost-effectively enter the fast-growing connected devices market, create new revenue streams, provide a unified customer experience and allow them to compete with over-the-top providers.

Gainsborough is making having a different key for every access points in your home a thing of the past with their new G+ home access system.  The G+ Access system eliminates the need to carry separate alarm, garage door and gate remote controls in addition to front door keys.  G+ gives the home owner control from inside and convenience from the outside.