Smart Home Blog

Z-Wave is a standard de-facto for modern DIY home automation (don’t forget then X10 is still alive). thanks to good compatibility between devices from different producers, wide range of devices and support by many commercial and open source home automation systems. While ZigBee is used widely in the energy monitors and power meters. To fill the gap between those two Sigma Designs produced the Bulogics Smart Grid Home Controller. That controller will allow to join your home automation system with power meter to monitor and reduce energy consumption.

There is no any words about the price or date availability of the Bulogics Controller. But I hope it won’t take more then one-two mothes have it in production.

New version of iRdium Mobile was released. Following major feature were implemented in that version:

• supporting of controllers powered by ModBus TCP and AXICO protocols! It opens the opportunity for installers of building home automation systems based on low-priced and fail-safe ModBus TCP controllers such as Beckhoff, Siemens, Wago, Schneider Electric and many others. These reliable controllers have been seldom used in home automation due to the absence of comfortable display facilities. With the release of iRidium 1.2 and our GUI editor iRidium GUI (scheduled for release in late october) the controllers powered by ModBus turn into complete alternative to the systems like AMX, EIB, and C-bus.
• possibility to see a streaming video from web and IP cams! Now iRidium can get a view from any camera all over the world, and 3G network makes possible to achieve pretty good quality at the speed of 7-15 FPS!
• choice between outer and inner connection on iPhone! This feature was added upon request of our partners for their customers’ comfort. If inner or outer IP connection isn’t set on default, the application suggests these two possible ways of connection.

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Chinese company EKON produced its own automation system to control home or office. It uses proprietary Power Line protocol (not X10 as I understand) to send data between controller and execution units. The EKON controllers are embeded into touchscreen control panels. The consumer can choose between wall-mounted, table-mounted and wireless ones.

Together with managing of electrical stuff in your home of office EKON system allows to make security and CCTV using Alarm&CCTV Controller add-on. Using the touch panels consumer can see the alarm signals and watch video from the security cams.

The EKON system is a ready-made software and hardware solution. From one hand it’s good because the system contains only tested and working parts. But the its big disadvantage is proprietary technology and devices. It’s impossible to use switches or dimmers produced by other manufacturers. Another aspect which can be very important is integration EKON with other systems to have, for example, multi-room control. Have no idea how easy or hard to do that. In any case it’s good to have alternatives. Especially in the area of DIY home control systems.

Russian company Iridium Mobile offers a way to use iPhone or iPod Touch as AMX control panel. The controller recognizes iPhone with Iridium client as normal AMX control panel offering all its functions. As result the consumer can get information and manage all devices in the system from any place in the world where exists one of the following communication services – EDGE, GPRS, 3G or WiFi.

Design of GUI for AMX iPhone client is done in the TP Designer. And them it’s just converted into iPhone code. So, the engineers shouldn’t study iPhone API to modify or create a new GUI skin. Except AMX iPhone client the company is going add integration with Beckhoff, EIB, CBus and Legos controllers. Moreover, theoretically Iridium supports any TCP/UDP based controller. Additionally, Iridium Mobile offers AMX client for Windows Mobile smartphones and for PC/UMPC/netbook/notebook run Windows XP.

The recommended prices for Iridium AMX client are following: €1000 for iPhone, €800 for Windows Mobile and €500 for WinXP.

Good news for the Nokia and home automation fans. The famous mobile devices producer has announced its Home Control Center which is gonna be released next year. Basically it will be a home gateway with built-in DSL-modem, wired router and WiFi access point. There will be possibility to attach Z-Wave controller and manage all Z-Wave devices via Nokia’s mobile phones, Internet Tables or using web interface. Additionally the home gateway will be equiped with GSM/GPRS module. The Nokia’s Home Control Center will cover security and surveillance, lighting and climate control.

It’s good that Nokia chose Z-Wave. It’s grows very fast and now there is a lot of devices with reasonable price for European frequency. Moreover Z-Wave devices have a good interoperability. So, it’s possible to use dimmers, switches, sensors, PC adaptors from different producers. In any case, we will see the advantages, shortcoming and cost of the Nokia Home Control Center whet it will be released next year in Europe.

[via Engadget]