Smart Home Blog

Fibaro started with producing Z-Wave devices – switched, dimmers, sensors etc. But now it came to the point to give its folks a whole solution including fully loaded Z-Wave controller – Home Center 2. It looks good at the first glass. Based on a 1.6 GHz Intel Atom and Debian OS, it can cover all consumer’s needs in the home automation area. The HC2 provides web interface to setup and manage the system. So, you can use any PC/Laptop/Tablet to work with it. Additionally Fibaro offers special application for iOS devices (no Android yet unfortunately).

User interface is simple and intuitive. Interesting that system allow to add not just real devices but virtual as well. Using that possibility consumer may add integration with some external TCP/IP based sub-system which might be useful. The HC2 supports scenes, of course, and their setup is not complicated. Consumers should enjoy graphical builder of conditions with various logical operands.

The Fibaro Z-Wave Home Center 2 looks interesting and promised. But it’d be nice to see comparison with the most popular and probably the best Z-Wave controller at that time MiCasa Verde Vera/VeraLite.

Polish company Fibaro added very interesting Z-Wave device in its range. New universal sensor FGBS-001 transforms any ordinary sensor (gas, smoke, motion etc) into Z-Wave enabled. So, you’ll able to add any your existing sensors or weather station to your Z-Wave network. The universal sensor module includes temperature sensor DS18B20 which is good addition to it.

The Fibaro universal sensor module is compatible with Fibaro building intelligence system as well as with any Z-Wave controller.

[via AutomatedHome]

Fibaro announced four new Z-Wave mini-modules – universal dimmer, a motor controller for blinds and shutters and two relays to switch loads of 1.5kw or 3kw. Using them you may transform any switch in your house into Z-Wave-enabled and spend not more then five minutes for each of them. That’s really cool solution for retrofit houses as well as for new ones.

The new Fibaro Z-Wave modules are available now from Vesternet.com at £42 (~€50).

Sigma Designs replaced old-school IR technology by modern Z-Wave in their Best Buy Insignia brand’s new cTV line of broadband-connected televisions. It isn’t just improve a range of bidirectional remote control and its functionality. But embedding of Z-Wave chip will allow easy integration of AV equipment into smarthome systems. Will see if other main producers of AV devices will do the same or choose someting else – ZigBee or standard RF which is used in wireless mouses and keyboards.

We know the Near Field Communications (NFC) technology is used to replace the credit card by your smartphone. But, for sure, this technology might have more applications. As example, we can see the first NFC-enabled door lock presented by Yale Locks & Hardware. To open it just put the smartphone near the lock and if it accepts the electronic key you’re in. Simple and the same time secure. You don’t need any connect except NFC, of course.

Additionally the new Yale door lock sports touchscreen to type unlock code manually and it’ll supports Z-Wave or ZigBee to integrate the lock into the home automation system. You may see the sort demo video after break.