Nokia has unveiled a new “smart home” platform that utilises both the ZigBee and the Z-Wave protocols for wireless transmissions. Using a specially configured WiFi gateway, the whole home can be managed through a mobile phone. Soon, Nokia will integrate smart meter management within the system also.
Called the Home Control Centre, the system has been described as an open platform that brings together closed-circuit television, mobile devices, and wireless communications in a way that is accessible both inside and outside of the home over the Internet. At first, the integrated devices will focus on managing heat within the home.
By using either a PC, mobile phone, or any other Internet-enabled device, a user can control the thermostat. Next, smart meters will be added to the Home Control Centre. Smart meters give consumers information on energy consumption at the home or business and can be programmed to conform to preset limits. In its simplest form, the Nokia system could send a text message that the thermostat is at too high a setting and would allow the user to turn it down remotely.
Nokia expects the first version of the system to become available by the end of next year and smart meter integration to become available soon after that. Broader functions may arrive much more quickly because of the open architecture of the system. Zensys, Danfoss, Ensto, Delta Dore, and Meishar Immediate Community (MIC) have already enlisted to assist in developing energy efficiency, security, construction, wellness, real estate, and smart home solutions.
The smart home platform will open a new era for networked services in the home. It represents the next generation in home security and household energy management.
“We see there is growth potential in the smart home market,” said Teppo Paavola, Vice President and Head of Corporate Business Development for Nokia. “The home of today has intelligence everywhere, but to date there has not been a solution that is interoperable with a wide range of home systems that can easily be controlled. We want to create an open solution where external partners can develop their own solutions and services on top of our platform. We believe that the mobile device is an ideal interface to control home intelligence especially when the user is not at home.”
A partnership was also announced with RWE, one of the largest energy companies in Europe. Nokia and RWE plan to develop a complete solution for managing carbon emissions and energy consumption within the home. The collaboration combines the technological know-how of Nokia with the energy expertise of RWE.
The first system will consist of a central control unit along with a thermostat capable of being controlled remotely. A user will interface with the system through a mobile phone or a PC. A separate display unit will also be available. RWE is developing customer plans that will focus around the Nokia system with new energy contracts. After 2009, Nokia and RWE have a goal to introduce services that utilise smart meters. Customers will be provided with information in real-time that details their energy consumption while giving them the ability to control their energy remotely.
“We are delighted to have secured a world-leading technology partner in Nokia for our range of smart home energy products,” said Carolin Reichert, Head of New Business at RWE.
The Nokia Home Control Centre is on display this week at the Nokia World event in Barcelona, Spain on December 2-3.
Nokia
P.O. Box - 226
Espoo, 00045 Finland
http://www.nokia.com
Zensys
39350 Civic Center Drive
Suite 210
Fremont, CA 94538
http://www.zen-sys.com
Danfoss
Nordborgvej 81
6430 Nordborg
Denmark
http://www.danfoss.com
Ensto
Ensio Miettisen katu 2, P.O. Box 77
FIN-06101 Porvoo
Finland
http://www.ensto.com
Delta Dore
Le Vieux Chene
Route De Combourg
France
http://www.apidore.com
Meishar Immediate Community
PO Box 2073
Herzliya, Israel 46120
http://wer-mic.com
RWE
Opernplatz 1
45128 Essen
http://www.rwe.com
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