A new consortium has been formed by ABB, Bosch, Cisco, and LG is planning to launch an open standard for use in smart homes.
The plan, subject to approval by regulatory authorities, is to create open architecture for data exchange across different appliances.
This will allow appliances and devices made by different manufacturers to be part of home automation, security, healthcare, and entertainment services. A common platform such as this has not been available up to now, making it a challenge for appliances and devices – light switches, motorized roller blinds, washing machines, multimedia equipment, smartphones, and tablets – to communicate with each other or to simply exchange information over the internet in a standardized way.
The common platform is one more step toward the internet of things for the home, in which physical objects will be networked.
“Let’s take our homes into the internet!” says Dr. Stefan Hartung, member of the board of management of Robert Bosch GmbH. “An open standard for data exchange is the basis for this. At the same time, our innovative and beneficial services can improve quality of life in the homes of the future, and allow us to use energy efficiently, safely, and comfortably, both in our homes and our cars.”
While this is not a direct play into the pay-TV space, there has been continued interest from operators, particularly in “owning the home”, expanding the range of services available.
“This consortium represents an opportunity to bring together a variety of business ecosystem partners, all working together to help make the Internet of Things for the home a reality,” says Jesper Andersen, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cisco Service Provider Video Software & Solutions Group. “Cisco is looking forward to participating in the consortium and creating a standard that allows consumers to experience a connected home.”
The consortium intends to make the standard available to all manufacturers, software developers, and service providers. It is intended to unite diverse services in areas such as energy management, security technology, and convenience and consumer electronics.
