The LoRa alliance includes many industry leaders and operators like IBM, Sagemcom, Cisco, Bouyges Telecom, Swisscom, IMST, Eolane, Microchip, MultiTech and Semtech. In January 2015 Proximus became also member of the alliance. The LoRa alliance wishes to develop a worldwide standard for low power wide area networks (LPWAN) and ensure interoperability between the telecom operators. […]
Smart Home Research Group launched!
Three of Europe’s leading Smart Home Associations have come together under the common banner of the Smart Home Research Group, formed by the UK’s Smart Home & Buildings Association (“SH&BA”), France’s Fédération Française de Domotique (“FFD”) and Germany’s Smart Home Initiative Deutschland (“SHID”). The group’s aim is to promote research that will help vendors and […]
Dutch report reveals that the use of home automation can be improved
The Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport has recently commissioned a benchmarking study on the actual situation of home automation and telemedicine. The intermediate report “eHealth monitor 2015” concludes that the use of home automation regarding the diffusion of these applications can be improved. Telecare alarm systems are very popular but other technologies are […]
Japanese smart home research project gives tenant an insight in smart home technology
Lixil Corporation, a Japanese manufacturer of housing and building materials, products and services, has realized a research project named “U2-Home”, which allows visitors to experience a real life smart home. The project aims to develop the ideal connected home that meets the needs of different generations. Energy harvesting wireless sensors and switches are the system’s core […]
Dutch survey on the consumers’ home automation needs
The Dutch consumer isn’t really interested in home automation applications that can improve his comfort. Most respondents don’t control home appliances through an app or smartphone. Little more than 50% doesn’t even want to command remote appliances. The age group of people older than 65 and people between 45 and 64 years old isn’t interested […]
The future role of the installer in which the end-user will play a central role
The innovation congress, organized by KIEN* on June 4th 2015, focused on the theme “Together we take the first step: from co creation towards co-realization.” The congress also discussed on the future role of the installer. The e-installer would play a more important role in innovation and durability. The theme staying longer at home was […]
A smart home thanks to an open internet standard?
IPBuilding is a Belgian company specialized in the development of applications for smart homes. IPBuilding’s technology is based on the open internet protocol (IP protocol) that enables communication between devices. This communication is realized by placing a central unit in a building and by connecting this unit via internet cables with the devices (via modules). Each […]
Can home automation help elderly people to stay longer in their home?
The Dutch trend book TrendITion “Spelen met de zorg van morgen” (“Playing with the health care of tomorrow”) gives us an insight on the future of e-health. Chapter 6 is dedicated to home automation for elderly in the healthcare sector. There is an important trend of elderly staying longer in their home thanks to the aid […]
Can an app in combination with a home automation system reduce your energy cost?
The Belgian company Smappee has recently launched its application that allows to combine an energy monitor with a home automation system. This application gives an overview of all energy costs in your house. This is made possible by a Smappee meter connected to the energy circuit. The system detects all connected devices in the house […]
Expansion of the European smart homes market in the near future?
The future of smart homes in Europe is analyzed in a Smart Homes and Home automation report, published in December 2014. According to this report, the European market for smart home systems is still in an early stage. “At the end of 2014, there were a total of 3.3 million smart home systems in use […]