Smart Home Blog

The new Z-Wave interface for LinuxMCE is developed hardly now. Currently there is a test version of the interface for i386. Source can be found here.

Following features are already implemented:

• Light control (binary, dimmable)
• Floorplan feedback from local operations and from ALL ON/OFF commands
• Lighting wizard integration
• Busy handling for newer chips
• PIR support in alarm and sensor mode
• Binary sensor support
• Basic wake-up handling (queue is still missing)

and those are coming soon:

• Download configuration
• Multi command handling
• RA-plus-w setback schedule thermostat support
• Merten Dongle support
• Multilevel sensor support

To buy Z-Wave stuff in Europe you can use some shop listed in that wiki page.

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German company düwi recently announced its new Z-Wave based home automation system. It’s gonna be showed on the IFA 2008 in Berlin from 29.08 till 03.09. The company offers a wide range of various Z-Wave devices - switches, dimmers, appliance modules, sensors, adapted to European standards. Which is very good news for all home automation folks lived outside US.

Another cool feature offered by düwi system is a native iPhone/iPod Touch interface. It turns your Apple device into “smart” control panel allowed manage all devices in your home.

As I understand düwi wireless home automation system is oriented to DIY installation (thanks to “smart” wireless technology). So, consumers don’t need spend a lot of money and time to bring the system up.

There is no information about price and availability of the düwi smarthome system. If you live in Berlin or near don’t miss IFA 2008 and you’ll have a chance to get more details about that system. Will be very appreciated for your opinion in comments.

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Threshold recently released its new wireless home automation system. The interesting feature of that system is “ConfigSpot” technology. It offers an easy and efficient way to configure devices added to the system.

The heart of the Threshold’s automation system is a Standalone Home System Master Controller. It combines WiFi broadband router, home controller and access point for Threshold’s wireless devices. Thanks to ConfigSpot feature adding and configuring new devices can be done just by pressing blue button on the device. ConfigSpot automatically and wirelessly programs the new device with network addresses, security keys, passwords, device names and other necessary configuration information.

Threshold offers a wide range of devices supported different home automation protocols: X10, Z-Wave and ZigBee. You can find security cameras, motion detectors, thermostats, outlet modules and much more. All outlet and power control modules includes energy measurement module. That module will help to consumer monitor and reduce energy consumption to save the money and environment.

Watch the demo video of new Threshold’s home automation system after jump.
Read more »

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Well-known producer of door locks Schlage is planning to add more intelligent in its products. It’s going to add Z-Wave-based looks line to provide consumers connect them to existing home automation systems or just manage them remotely via Internet.

The new product will be based on Schlage’s line of keypad locks and will have two-way Z-Wave RF technology built in. The battery-operated locks communicate with a Z-Wave gateway that connects to any broadband router. Since Z-Wave is a standards-based protocol, other Z-Wave-compatible controllers could operate the locks as well.

Remember that LinuxMCE has basic Z-Wave interface. So, you can try the new Schlage’s Z-Wave door lock when it’ll be released.

[via CEPro]

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Danish company Modstroem uses non-standard approach to get information about energy consumption in the its Z-Wave-based monitoring system. Instead of sensor the system includes digital camera which transmits picture from the meter to the Z-Wave Internet gateway. That gateway allows no only see the results of measurements but control all Z-Wave stuff in the home remotely.

Not sure that it’s good idea to use camera to grab data from the meter. In my opinion using the sensor makes measurement more accurate and independent from external actions such lighting, dust etc. It seems for me like a field-work but not effective solution for practice using.

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