| For many years - decades even, we have been | | | | Because of the new ZigBee/RF4CE standard, |
| waiting for the automated "smart" house - a | | | | vendors are creating systems and devices that |
| house that is as technically advanced as our | | | | will be less expensive and will be able to interact |
| automobiles. For decades, we have been able to | | | | with each other. In addition, the new ultra low |
| remotely lock and unlock our car doors, raise and | | | | power capabilities make these devices |
| lower our car windows, adjust temperatures for | | | | maintenance free and GREEN by greatly reducing |
| different parts of the car seating areas, and even | | | | the amount of batteries needed to operate the |
| clean the back and front windows. | | | | various sensors around the home, as well as in |
| Why can't we do that with our houses? Why are | | | | the remote itself. |
| our homes dumb? | | | | Batteries are one of the more hidden polluters of |
| Why are most homes still living in the tech dark | | | | the planet. Even though they are small, each |
| ages? Gurus and tech-evangelists have long been | | | | contains heavy metals and toxic chemicals. In |
| promising the smart home - the automated home | | | | addition, there is a heavy carbon footprint |
| with devices that talk to each other, with | | | | involved in the mining and refining of the raw |
| appliances and central home systems that can be | | | | materials, as well as in the actual manufacture and |
| controlled from a home dashboard or over the | | | | distribution of batteries, as well as in the final |
| internet. Except for a few hobbyists and early | | | | re-cycling and disposal of batteries. |
| innovators, most homes today are still stupid. | | | | By using the new ultra low power wireless ZigBee |
| However, with the arrival of the new third home | | | | RF4CE technology, consumer electronics |
| wireless network, this is beginning to change. Most | | | | manufacturers are now starting to rolling out |
| homes already have two wireless networks - the | | | | remote controls that use a lot less power and |
| cordless phone network for communication and | | | | never need to have the batteries changed or |
| the data network - usually WiFi. Both are very | | | | charged. |
| effective for high bandwidth, power gulping | | | | For example: with a typical remote control, one |
| applications like watching internet videos and | | | | has to change the batteries at least once a year. |
| talking on the phone. | | | | Open it up, pull out the old ones and put in new |
| However, for many less data intensive | | | | AA batteries. If it is an old remote, you probably |
| communications, the new ultra low power | | | | need to replace the duct tape or rubber bands |
| networks - based on the 802.15.4 standard and | | | | holding it together. |
| new ZigBee standards (including ZigBee RF4CE | | | | If you have battery powered sensors in your |
| and ZigBee Green Power) promise to not only | | | | home for security and temperature control, you |
| make our homes smart, but to do it in a way | | | | already know the repeated irritation for tracking |
| that is both green and maintenance free. | | | | down the beeping and having to change batteries |
| This year, large consumer electronic | | | | (and why do these battery powered sensors |
| manufacturers, cable set top box makers and | | | | always run out of power in the middle of the |
| service providers will start rolling out systems for | | | | night?). |
| our homes that will finally make our homes as | | | | By reducing the power draw and enabling the |
| smart as our cars. This revolution is going to start | | | | battery to last for the product's lifetime (ten |
| small, starting with the remote control we use to | | | | years or more), it is possible to reduce the overall |
| control our TV and set top box. However, in the | | | | number of batteries needed by 90%. This means |
| coming years we will see new capabilities added | | | | billions fewer batteries need to be made - billions |
| to that remote. | | | | fewer batteries tossed into landfills. |
| Based on using a RF powered remote control, it | | | | By not requiring the user to open up devices to |
| will become possible to monitor and control all the | | | | replace and/or recharge batteries, these devices |
| home's systems from a single central dashboard - | | | | also become essentially maintenance free which |
| your remote control. By using RF (radio | | | | enables the makers to design remote controls |
| frequency) instead of the old fashioned IR | | | | and sensors that do not require battery |
| (infrared), this central mobile dashboard can be | | | | compartments and lids. No more duct tape and |
| used in any room to control systems based in | | | | rubber bands. |
| other parts of the home. RF transits through | | | | By using these new ZigBee RF4CE networks, we |
| walls, through doors, and through furniture. | | | | are improving our overall ecology as well as |
| Because RF supports interactivity, not only can | | | | making our lives a lot more convenient. No more |
| the home owner control other systems, but s/he | | | | having to point and shoot with remote controls to |
| can monitor the systems as well by using the | | | | change the channel, to set up recording on our |
| display on the remote. | | | | DVRs. No need to hike downstairs to adjust the |
| While sitting in the home office, s/he can monitor | | | | thermostat or to turn off lights after everyone |
| and control the temperature in different rooms, | | | | has left the room. Because this new technology is |
| set up recording on the VCR in the living room, | | | | based on a standard - ZigBee RF4CE - companies |
| turn off the lights in the kids' rooms after they go | | | | and manufacturers worldwide can build cost |
| out and play. She can even capture a digital image | | | | effectively design and solutions that will interact |
| from the front door camera to see who is ringing | | | | and talk to each other. |
| the doorbell. | | | | The new Third Wireless Network is coming this |
| And if the kids do grab the remote and somehow | | | | year - bringing with it the long awaited promise of |
| lose it, she can go to one of the controlled | | | | the smart home - a home that is as automated |
| appliances - like the flat screen TV, and press the | | | | and easy to use as the car that is parked in the |
| "Find Me" button. The remote control will start | | | | home's garage. Parents often say that that |
| beeping, playing a song, whatever it takes to | | | | watching TV makes you stupid. That may be. |
| make it easy to find again. | | | | However, because of ZigBee/RF4CE and the third |
| Yes, these technologies can be cobbled together | | | | Home Wireless Network, your TV set's remote |
| now but they are expensive and need technical | | | | control will at least make your house a lot |
| expertise to make them all play well together. | | | | smarter. |