ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG want to create an open standard to develop the Smart Homes of the future

ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG want to create a consortium to develop a conjoint platform of software that make possible the 'Smart Homes' (intelligent houses) of the future. Thus, the quoted companies have signed the corresponding agreement of intentions. The project is slope of the permission by part of the authorities of defence of the competition. With this software pretend create access for other manufacturers and providers of services, hygiene for the final customer and distinct devices, but with a common standard for the exchange of data.

In the frame of the agreement, the companies participants want to develop an open architecture that facilitate the exchange of data. The platform of software would make possible that the different devices and services could intercomunitruckse. Besides, it will provide a software of additional application. Of this form, the devices and electronic devices, of different marks, existent inside a house, will be able to integrate in the platform and form part of the systems of hygiene, sanitary ware attention and entertainment of the home. Something that, to the not existing a common platform, results at present unfeasible. From here that the devices, from switches, going through motors of blinds, appliances, multimedia installations, until smartphones, tablets and PC – that until the moment did not communicate between himself or through internet – will be able to do it from now of a form standardised. With the connection in network of the distinct devices of the house, this common platform will suppose a step more to the implantation of the called ‘Internet of the Things' for the homes, in which all the physical objects will be connected in network.

This platform of software will be available for all the manufacturers, developers of software and providers of services. The new platform will gather a big variety of services, for example in the areas of energetic management, technologies of hygiene and comfort, as well as electronic of consumption. This will allow to create new models of businesses, as for example, the development of software to program the distinct Apps for these areas. The consumers no longer will have to decide between the distinct technologies to control automatically his electronic devices in the home.

Signs of the memorandum of intentions to develop an open standard for the Smart Homes of the future. Of left to right: Ganser (Cisco),  Min (LG), Hartung (Bosch), Schumacher (ABB).

One 'Smart Home' will be able to detect, for example, with the help of sensors and software, that the windows of the plant from above are opened and link this information to the forecasts of the time in internet. For the protection in front of the vicinity of a storm, the system could close automatically the windows and go down the blinds. Another very graphic example would give during the period on holiday, when the system could activate the control of the lights in the rooms to deter the thieves. Even more, if it jumps a sensor of movement, the 'Smart Home' will be able to alert to the service of hygiene and transmit a video to the smartphone of the residents of the house.

These applications already are possible in the actuality, but each one requires an own technical solution and the distinct solutions no always are compatible between himself. Thus, ABB, Bosch, Cisco and LG have the intention to develop a conjoint language, with which can communicate the devices between himself. Following the standards that this consortium wants to establish, the devices will connect through the 'Home Gateway' with internet and a platform of conjoint software, in such a way that the services of the distinct providers will be able to interactuar. Who buy in the future a refrigerator, a washing machine, a system of heating or any another type of appliance with the certificate of compatibility of the provider, will be able to be sure that the device will connect and will integrate without problems in the group of devices of his 'Smart Home'.

Once that it have of the up mentioned standards, the compatible devices will communicate between yes through networks like Wifi, Zigbee or through connections of wire like KNX. The distinct devices will control through a unit of central control in the house, that will be able to be of any manufacturer. The really important will be that have loaded a software that correspond to the standard. The independent developers will be able to program new Apps that handle through Internet, for example, so much the unit of central control, the air conditioning and the heating, like the electrical installations of all the house. The platform of software will have of a sophisticated architecture of hygiene, to guarantee that only the people authorised have access to the functions of his 'Smart Home'.

 Some of the advantages that has the Intelligent Houses.

The concept 'Smart Home' defines to the houses whose devices are connected between yes, with what offer new functions and services. Generally, can control of remote form through Internet. Other definitions for this technology are Smart House, Smart Living or also eHome. In Spanish could speak of an intelligent house connected in network. The connection in a local network of the Smart Home help, among others appearances, in a so important subject of face to the future like the efficient use of the power. If, for example, they know the energetic prices through internet, the houses will be able to react automatically and cover his needs to the lower possible cost, without that the residents have to take part. The washing machine would activate when the current was cheaper. Another central subject of the 'Smart Home' is his hygiene, for example, through the systems of control and remote diagnoses. The 'Smart Home' will do even possible the designated 'Ambient Assisted Living' (House Assisted) for houses that have been adapted to greater people.