Smart Home Blog

It seems that ZigBee Alliance found a way to make its technology more popular. And that way is using alternative energy such solar or some other stored energy sources to power devices. That what EnOcean does a long time.

Actually using green battery-less devices is good. But as I know the real problem with ZigBee is weak interoperability between devices from different producers. Maybe Control4 which is going to switch to ZigBee Pro, will produce whole range of needed devices. But for the DIY enthusiasts it’s a real problem. The Z-Wave looks more attractive because all its devices are interoperable. Also the model range and price of Z-Wave devices became better and better in Europe. The cost of some of them is near to X10 devices. So, in my mind, ZigBee Alliance should work on it. Of course, if its target is not just cover Control4 needs.

Here is a few models of super thin Full HD TVs demonstrated on CES 2009. The first one is Panasonic’s 0.33-inch thick Neo Eco Plasma. Additionally to its amazing thickness it utilizes 50% less energy than previous Panasonic models.

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Recently EnOcean announced its new product self-powered occupancy sensor Sensolux. It combines a 360 degrees PIR detector and light level sensor for automated lighting control. The Sensolux uses solar energy to get the power. It needs just a 3 hours of ambient light a day to be fully charged and can work in the dark for 48 hours.

The solar powered occupancy sensor can be used standalone together with a lighting control actuator or can be integrated into a LON or KNX/EIB network. The Sensolux includes a functionality to report its own energy level.

Personally I like the “green technology” solutions. They save our money and our environment. But, in my mind, £147.10 is too much for 360 degrees motion detector. Even it’s solar powered and “green”.

[via AutomatedHome]