Home automation

The range of radio-based systems in the smarthome sector has exploded in recent years. Innovative offerings, at comparatively moderate prices, and a growing number of tech-savvy users are driving skyrocketing sales in this market segment.

basic device: brain-cube (source: codeatelier/homee)

But such a development does not come without problems. When it comes to the use of radio-based systems, the diversity of different radio systems is a constant source of "agony of choice" for planners, installers and end users alike. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of which radio system to choose. Based on this insight, young engineers from stuttgart have made a virtue out of necessity and developed homee, a system that enables the use of different wireless systems within a smart home system. In contrast to many other solutions (where a radio system can be upgraded by integrating another radio system), the use of different radio technologies is part of the concept here. Another important part of the solution concept is the holistic approach to hardware and software. The offer of the start-up codeatelier is preferably aimed at the end-user who is interested in technology. However, planners and installers are certainly well advised not to disregard such offers in their own deliberations. Homee is a retrofit offer, a solution for rented apartments, but can certainly also be used for manageable tasks in the area of functional buildings such as offices, medical practices etc. Used are.

device technology

With regard to the device technology, homee is based on a modular concept. The technology is housed in colored cubes, which have contacts on the top and bottom (base unit only on top). The individual modules are connected to each other by stacking them on top of each other. These stacked modules then form the core of a smarthome system.

Basic device

The main component of each system is the basic device called the brain cube (picture). This module supplies power to the other modules and connects to sensors and actuators that communicate via WLAN.

The base unit can also be accessed via smartphone or tablet for programming and operation purposes. The links between sensors and actuators created during the commissioning of a system as well as the agreed functionality, i.e. the program of the smart home system, are stored in the base unit.

A connection to the home WLAN is not mandatory and therefore only needs to be established and set up if, for example, remote access or voice control is to be enabled. A special adapter is available for a LAN connection via cable.

Additional modules

The connection of WIFI components possible with the basic device can be extended with additional modules. Currently, such modules are available for the radio technologies that are very widespread in the smarthome sector

  • Z-wave,
  • Zigbee and
  • Enocean

Sensors and actuators

The selection of suitable sensor and actuator components is facilitated by an online tool on the manufacturer’s homepage. This allows access to more than 700 components. The first step is the selection of the radio system (WLAN, Z-wave, zigbee or enocean). After that, a limitation is made with regard to the area of application such as security, comfort and energy saving. a further narrowing down of the selection is possible via the device type. Here the distinction is made according to key words, such as pushbutton, light, temperature, roller shutter, air conditioning, etc. if you don’t find a desired device in the list, you have the possibility to suggest its integration via the discussion forum of the homepage.

Operation

The available buttons of the wireless systems used can be used to operate the system. In addition, there is the possibility of operation via smartphone or tablet. Access via a PC is also possible. The use of voice control is also planned. For this, however, a special communication component is needed.

Commissioning and programming

However, the device technology is only one side of a smart home system. At least as important is the software for commissioning, programming and operation. Appropriate solutions are available from the manufacturer for android and ios devices and as a web app.

The commissioning of a system begins with the teaching of the components and their functional and spatial assignment. sequences triggered by events can be agreed comparatively simply by means of if-then instructions. in the system these agreed functions are called homee-grams. timer can also be activated and scenes can be arranged. With regard to the target group, the user interface is designed in such a way that a user manual is not required. You can find hints on how to use it as video tutorials and in the community area in the form of wikis, discussion forums, faqs etc. An impression of the user interface and its possibilities can be found in the demo mode of the app on the homepage.

Conclusion

the presented smarthome solution is preferably an offer to technophile end users. Homee is not an offer for hobbyists, however, because it works throughout with factory-ready devices and programs. Nevertheless, this offer differs from the products typically used in the trade. This applies above all to the distribution channel and the design of communication with the user. The product is sold directly from the manufacturer (or. Distributed via mail order). Communication with the provider is not carried out via sales staff, but directly via various channels, mainly offered via the homepage. This method will become widely accepted in the near future, regardless of individual preferences. From this point of view, too, it is always worthwhile to look into offers such as homee – this is true for planners as well as for electricians.

Like this post? Please share to your friends:
Christina Cherry
Leave a Reply

;-) :| :x :twisted: :smile: :shock: :sad: :roll: :razz: :oops: :o :mrgreen: :lol: :idea: :grin: :evil: :cry: :cool: :arrow: :???: :?: :!: