European Custom Installer

System Integration for the Connected Home

Home Automation

Josh.ai and AVPro Edge Team Up in Home Entertainment

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Josh.ai announces a collaboration with AVPro Edge-- one bringing natural voice control and home automation capability to AVPro Edge audio and video distribution hardware, including amplifiers and switches.

Josh.ai AVPro Edge

Through the integration, AVPro devices auto-populate the Josh.ai Distributed AV web portal for configuration. Installers can easily assign input sources and output zones for whole-home media control. Josh.ai AVPro Edge support allows users to switch inputs, control volume levels, distribute a single source across multiple zones and route multiple sources across multiple zones verbally via Josh Micro or manually through the Josh.ai app.

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A Motion Sensor for Wet Applications

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Faradite announces the Motion Sensor 360 IP67 Volt Free, an IP67-rated watertight motion sensor for use in wet rooms, grounds, gardens and other environmentally-challenged applications.

Faradite sensor

Ideal for use bout inside or outside, the sensor is rated as both dust tight and protected against immersion in water for 30 minutes at depths of up to 1000m. It is powered by 5-35V DC, and provides fully volt-free output. According to the company, it covers a 5 x 5m detection area from a height of 2.5m. Installers can integrate it with a number of control platforms, including Loxone, Crestron, Control4, Lutron and Rako.

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First-Ever Personal Location Sensor (PLS) for the Smart Home

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RoomMe

Intellithings brings out the first ever Personal Location Sensor (PLS) for the smart home.

Rather than relying on basic motion events that today’s motion and occupancy sensors do, RoomMe leverages the unique Bluetooth signature of a user’s smartphone to identify who that user is, what room they are in, and automatically adjust settings such as entertainment, lighting, temperature, and more to that specific user’s preferences.

RoomMe is not a replacement for an existing smart home system but rather an enhancement to existing or future systems capable of adding all new levels of occupancy intelligence to the smart home.

RoomMe’s API can securely integrate with most smart home systems and drivers, both DIY and professionally installed. RoomMe works with many of the most popular DIY smart home systems, including Wink and HomeKit, as well as standalone devices, such as Philips Hue, LIFX, Sensibo, Bose, Sonos, and ecobee.

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A BlackWire Guardian to Prevent Leaks

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BlackWire Designs announces the Guardian Leak Prevention System-- an easy to install means to automatically close the water main the moment a leak is detected, preventing potentially catastrophic water damage.

Guardian kit

“Without leak detection, property owners don’t realize they have an issue until it’s already too late. This is especially problematic in vacation homes and other properties that can sit unoccupied for extended periods,” the company says. “With the Guardian Leak Prevention System, integrators can provide their customers with peace of mind knowing that immediate action will be taken when the first drop is detected, stopping leaks before any damage can occur and eliminating the expense of repairs and hassle of insurance claims.”

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URC Total Control Integrates With August Locks

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At ISE 2020 URC launches a two-way IP module for the integration of the Total Control home automation system with August Smart Lock and Smart Lock Pro door locks.

URC August locks

Available for authorised installers via the URC dealer portal, the module allows customers to control and view the status of compatible August Smart Locks door locks via the Total Control system, using any URC touchscreen or smartphone app. Total Control 2.0 features premium performance, customisable GUIs and robust 3rd party integration, making it ideal for both residential and commercial applications.

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Apple Patents Self-Configuring Smart Home System

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A recently published Apple patent describes a modular wall unit system able to automatically configure smart homes and buildings, allowing customers to painlessly add and remove connected devices as they require.

Apple smart home patent

Simply named the "Modular Wall Unit System," the patent points out smart home configuration involves multiple challenges. After all, many connected devices from different vendors might not be compatible, since they involve different connection and communication protocols. And even if they are compatible, the various hardware and software configurations, not to mention system setup, can prove daunting to the average customer.

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Crestron Home Additions at ISE 2020

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ISE 2020 sees Crestron debut a wide array of features and support for devices from partner manufacturers in the latest Crestron Home update, together with the launch of the MC4-R 4-series control system.

Crestron ISE 2020

“We’re committed to applying the full force of our unparalleled engineering resources and expertise to make Crestron Home the best smart home experience in every way,” the company says. “In fact, we add an average of a dozen new features each month along with support for more and more partner manufacturers’ devices.”

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