Stuttgart-Munich – ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG intend to join a consortium to create a software platform for smart homes. To this end, its future participants have already signed a memorandum of understanding. Antitrust regulators must now approve the four companies’ plan. Plans for international cooperation: openness to other manufacturers and service providers creation of a common standard of exchange between the various devices.
Under the memorandum, the parties intend to develop a data exchange system with open architecture. The software platform will enable various devices and services to communicate and exchange information with each other.
Dissemination of the application software will also be possible. It will enable the integration of appliances and devices from a wide variety of manufacturers into home automation, security, health and leisure systems.
At present, there is no such unified platform, which makes it difficult for appliances and devices – light switches, motorized roller shutters, washing machines, multimedia equipment, smartphones and tablets – to communicate and exchange information over the Internet.
Developing a common platform is another step toward creating a home networking infrastructure that connects physical objects to each other.
The purpose of such a platform is to form a common standard for all manufacturers, software developers and service providers. The platform will also integrate the different areas of service: energy management, safety, convenience and electronics. This would create new business models: software developers, for example, would be able to create different applications for these areas.
End consumers will ultimately be able to use automated control of electronic appliances in their living space without having to choose between different technologies.
Safety, comfort, efficiency
Thanks to sensors and software, the smart home, for example, will be able to detect open windows, and the system, comparing this data with the weather forecast on the Internet, will close windows and lower shutters in case of an approaching thunderstorm.
Another example would be turning lights on at will when the family is away for long periods, to deter burglars. Furthermore, if a motion sensor detects movement in the building, the system will send a signal to security and send the appropriate video stream to the homeowner’s smartphone.
Different devices, same language
Capabilities such as those mentioned are available today, but each requires its own technical solution, and different solutions are not always compatible.
The goal of ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG is to develop a common language that enables different devices to work together seamlessly.
According to the standards for all manufacturers that the consortium intends to introduce, the devices will be connected to a home gateway with Internet access and access to the software platform. That way, services from different providers can be shared.
In the future, when consumers buy a refrigerator, washing machine, heating system, or other appliances that have a consortium certificate of compatibility, they will be able to ensure that the purchased equipment will be compatible with the devices in their smart home.
technology
After developing open standards for interoperability, the consortium members plan to enable interoperable appliances through wireless networks that use radio frequencies WiFi, ZigBee, KNX and wired connections.
A central control unit regulates all the appliances and devices in the building and has access to a secure Internet channel. The type and manufacturer of the control unit is irrelevant. The only requirement is that it uses software that complies with the relevant standard.
So independent software developers will be able to create new applications to control central control, heating and air conditioning systems, and electrical appliances throughout the building via the internet. Sophisticated security architecture of software platform eliminates unauthorized access to smart home systems.
The concept of a smart home
An intelligent home is a building in which appliances and devices are connected to a common network, allowing occupants to use a new level of features and services. In most cases, these devices can be controlled remotely over the Internet.
Sometimes the terms “smart home”, “e-home”, etc. are used to refer to this concept. d. Eng. smart house, smart living, e-home . All these terms have the same meaning.
One advantage of such intelligent systems is the efficient use of energy – an urgent problem of the future. For example, if information about energy costs is available on the Internet, the system can automatically generate the most economical energy plan – without any involvement by the homeowner. It will turn on the washing machine at a time when cheaper electricity rates are in effect.
Another useful feature of the smart home is security controls, such as condition monitoring. The concept also makes it possible to create an independent living environment for people with disabilities, for example the house can be adapted to the needs of the elderly.
What are the specific goals and objectives of ABB, Bosch, Cisco, and LG in developing this open smart home standard? How will this standard benefit consumers and promote interoperability among various smart home devices and systems?