The Future of the Connected Home with Z-Wave

The Future of the Connected Home with Z-Wave

The Connected Home was a large topic of the keynote, and as I listened, I admit that I was not aware of just how popular and in demand this technology is.

  • By Lindsay Page
  • Nov 12, 2014

I was fortunate to attend the Z-Wave Alliance Fall Summit last week in Carlsbad, Calif. The venue was amazing with a spectacular view of the ocean from the terrace where the keynote and dinner took place. After enjoying some hors d'oeuvres, I settled in for the evening.

There was also a press tour of exhibiting Alliance member companies held at the Hilton.  Exhibiting companies included Jasco, Kwikset, Telguard, IR-Nexia, and PlumChoice showing thier latest products and services for the connected home market.  

The event kicked off with the keynote speech by Roberta Gamble, who is a partner at Frost & Sullivan and VP for the firm's Energy and Environment/Building Technologies team. Gamble has the rare ability to deliver an incredible amount of information while keeping the audience engaged and even entertained. I am always impressed by a speaker who can get the crowd to laugh several times during a speech.

The Connected Home was a large topic of the keynote, and as I listened, I admit that was not aware of just how popular and in demand this technology is. Sure, I know people love being able to control their thermostats, turn on their lights a few minutes before they arrive home, or make sure their garage door is closed – all from the convenience of a mobile app. But, I had no idea how much the consumer is driving the demand for products that can be connected and used with the utmost convenience and efficiency.

Once the keynote ended, attendees of the event were treated to dinner and a social event. I took the opportunity to speak with a few people and discover their opinions on a connected home. I heard about different products, such as programmable window blinds, security panels, emergency lights, and more, than can all be connected together to make a home or any building more secure.

A few people told me that what they wanted to see is a complete “learning” home, instead of only connected. While the technology is there, experts at the event said it’s too difficult for behaviors to be learned because there’s too much variation. Although a few people there were adamant; they are confident we will soon be able to have our homes brew our morning coffee, run the water at the perfect temperature for our showers, arm and disarm our security systems at the exact times we need, and more.

As the evening and conversation came to an end, I knew one thing was sure: With more than 1,200 products on the market, Z-Wave is on the fast track to delivering exactly what these consumers and companies want.

For more information on the Z-Wave Alliance, please click here.

About the Author

Lindsay Page is the editor for Campus Security & Life Safety magazine, and the senior editor for Security Today.

Featured

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.