Not even air conditioning is safe from the power of the internet of things-- the Aros is a wifi-enabled window AC unit featuring Nest-style "smart" sensors and app-based functionality.
A co-development between Quirky and General Electric, the Aros features a minimalist design in pristine white (as all smart versions of once humble appliances demand) and on-board temperature and humidity sensors. A geolocation feature within the smartphone app allows it to detect when home owners are in or out of the house, automatically turning off when home owners leave and switching back on once they return.
A "smart schedule" feature monitors usage patterns to generate optimal cooling schedules, and the system can even regulate energy consumption based on budget available.
Users can also simply control the Aros via Wink smartphone (iOS and Android) app. As for actual cooling power, the Aros pushes 8000 BTU of cooling, and supports multi-room daisy-chain setups with the Wink app handling all as a single system.
The Aros ships on May 2014. It will not be the first Quirky+GE connected devices-- the two companies have more in the pipeline for the rest of the year.
Go Quirky Aros