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.

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

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. Read Now

New Products

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.