Smart Home World Magazine | February 2022

AN EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR THE SMART HOME INDUSTRY.

SMARTHOME WORLD

VOL 1 • No 10 FEBRUARY 2022

www.smarthomeworld.in

On energy management, the systems used and their benefits 10 INSIDE Featured Interview

Spotlight

In conversation with

Ar. Milind Pai,

Manmohan Ganesh

Principal Architect, Milind Pai Architects, speaks on the future of Smart Homes in India.

21 31 An informative story on subwoofers and the technology behind.

Case Studies

24 37

41

Ar. Riddhi Shah An elucidation of an automated FEBRUARY 2022 luxury interior, designed by ADL – Advance Designs N Lifestyle.

Director, PRO FX, on the market for AV products in India.

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An illustration of the lighting and automation of a 5 Star Hotel in SMARTHOME WORLD 1 Madrid, done by Lutron.

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CONTENTS

10 10

Cover Story

21

Featured Interviews

31

Spotlight

36

On energy management

Conversations with the eminent personalities, immensely contributing to the smart home industry

On subwoofers and the technology used On AoIP being adopted by the residential sector

Trending Tech : Products For Cleanliness & Wellness Three wellness tech innovations to make any home a healthier space

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37

Case Studies

46

News

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Detailed illustrations of smart projects

Latest updates on the global smart home industry

India’s only DALI compatible scene controller with built-in Gateway ( built-in) wifi Multiple luxurious front ends

Dali Dimming Analog Dimming Phase cut Dimming VRV AC Split AC Curtains Door locks AV For channel partner enquiry please mail us at info@osum.in OSUM Smart Electrical Solutions LLP 1305, Lodha Supremus, Senapati Bapat Marg, Opp. Lodha World Towers, Lower Parel, Mumbai - 13 Phone : 8010-600-200, Website: www.osum.in FEBRUARY 2022

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FROM THE EDITOR

The less you burn, the more you earn!

SNEHA KANRAR SOM

Today, home energy management systems are taking smart homes to the next level. The growth in the smart home industry has been rapid. However, poor implementation strategies often lead to excess energy consumption. That’s where SHEMS (Smart Home Energy Management Systems) come in. These aim to transform home appliances, sensor nodes, and other smart electrical gadgets into autonomous devices which manage energy consumption more efficiently.

By ensuring sustainable energy consumption in the household, energy management systems are gaining considerable attention.

Smart gird systems are a part of this effort towards the better utilization of energy. The cost of energy and its demand is everincreasing. Hence, we need to get smarter to keep the utility costs down.

By monitoring and controlling via SHEMS, one can set parameters for how their homes operate or even access data from individual devices. This leads to direct earnings from energy conservation.

All of this is possible with the initial investment in an efficient & affordable smart home energy management system.

Editor: Sneha Kanrar Som sneha@smarthomeworld.in

Marketing Head: Sandeep Singh sandeep@smarthomeworld.in

Associate Editor: Adora D’mello adora@smarthomeworld.in

Assistant Manager - Sales: Monika Agnihotri monika@smarthomeworld.in

Tech Journalist: Sunny Sawant sunny@smarthomeworld.in Published by: WORLD MEDIA & EXPO LLP. WORLD MEDIA & EXPO LLP

505, D-Definity, Jay Prakash Road no.1, Goregaon(East), Mumbai- 400063 | www.smarthomeworld.in

Smart Home World thanks the various companies that have submitted information. For any editorial submissions, please contact Ms. Sneha Kanrar Som, Editor, at sneha@smarthomeworld.in. The information published in News, Ongoing Trends and Product Gallery is as per the details furnished by the respective manufacturer/distributor. It does not reflect the views of Smart Home World or of the management of WORLD MEDIA & EXPO LLP.

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COVER STORY

Initiating the optimised usage of energy!

The concept of smart homes and home automation has turned urban homes safer and cheaper to maintain by reducing recurring electricity costs while creating scopes of tracking and controlling energy usage through smart energy management systems.

In today’s fast-paced tech-savvy world, automation is becoming an integral part of systems for most sectors, especially industrial, residential, hospitality. The residential sector in India is currently witnessing a technological revolution with the market getting bombarded with automatic or smart home appliances, lighting and lighting controls, security devices and entertainment systems. “In a smart home, there could be various systems such as entertainment, security, and energy management. Amongst these, energy management is an important part of a smart home and has two main features: 10

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feedback and automation. Energy feedback helps visualise energy consumption and give suggestions or tips to the users for reducing energy consumption. The feedback has three main aspects: frequency, level, and comparison. The frequency of feedback could vary from real-time data to monthly, and level could vary from total home energy consumption to an individual device level consumption, such as AC. A comparison could be of two types; between the current and previous periods or with other households of similar nature. Some actions can be automated and could reduce the

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COVER STORY

“Air conditioning accounts for a significant part of electricity consumption in India.

The trend to use large glass windows result in higher solar gains, adding to the air conditioning load. Automatic curtains should be used to reduce the load on air conditioning and improve thermal comfort.

Further, one should rely more on natural ventilation whenever outdoor conditions are favourable”, explains Garg.

Vishal Garg, Professor and Head, Center for IT in Building Science, IIIT Hyderabad.

reliance on manual controls, thus saving energy. Some examples are switching off the geyser automatically at a pre-set time or putting on the window shades whenever there is excess sunlight”, explains Vishal Garg, Professor and Head, Center for IT in Building Science, IIIT Hyderabad.

Need For Energy Management Due to the rapid population growth, economic development and increasing dependence on electrical energy, the energy consumption level is rising drastically.

Research says, the electricity demand of the energy sector will increase to 40%, the commercial and residential sectors will increase to 25% by 2025. “Electricity is a scarce commodity. Every bit of the generated electricity, be it from renewable or nuclear resources, will always have some effect on the sustainability of life on this planet.

Therefore, the usage of energy can never be free or cheap. I believe an optimised usage of energy needs to be encouraged with some sort of incentivised billing or awarding some brownie points to homeowners. The objective should always be to reduce and optimise the use of energy”, says Ar. Milind Mantravadi, Green Matrix Sustainability + Technology, Bengaluru.

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“Further, there are several initiatives for the decarbonisation of the electricity grid. Renewable energy sources such as rooftop solar PV are becoming popular.

However, such renewable energy sources are intermittent which necessitates the storage and demand response. We are also witnessing the popularity of electric vehicles, which will put a tremendous load on the grid.

Home energy management systems could play a vital role in balancing the generation, storage, and electricity consumption. In the USA, the EPA has developed ENERGY STAR SHEMS specifications which establish required energy saving features designed to deliver cost savings as well as user convenience. Currently, in India SHEMS is at a nascent stage. However, we are witnessing sustained growth and interest among the homeowners”, elaborates Garg.

“Power management at a refined scale can happen only with Advanced Energy Management systems. The energy at

Ar. Milind Mantravadi, Green Matrix Sustainability + Technology, Bengaluru.

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peak demand is expensive and at off-peak demand is less expensive. The formula is rather than using less energy, you use less energy at peak and use that differential energy at off-peak. However, at all times the main intent will be to reduce the generation and consumption of energy, overall from the sustainability or reduced carbon footprint perspective. The only way to achieve this is by reduced generation and optimised use of energy by understanding the consumers’ needs and profiling their energy usage. With the advancement of connected devices or smart devices, the superior communication network demand will be pushed to develop extremely advanced energy management systems which will integrate into our smart appliances, phone and smart gadgets, smart cars to extract data from our homes”, adds Mantravadi.

Introduction to energy management systems: Fundamentally, energy management systems (EMS) help to monitor and control the energy consumption of appliances and equipment, by gathering the data through the device sensors and transferring it to the database. Also, these reduce the energy consumption of a building, apartment or standalone house, using software algorithms.

The idea of home automation or smart homes is turned into reality by constantly-evolving technology. Primarily, the concept aims to offer, the users, control over the everyday home electrical appliances, lighting, security systems, the option of managing those 14

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through smartphones or tablets and ensure better energy conservation with optimum use of energy.

“A smart home energy management system (SHEMS) could provide a single integrated interface to a user, thereby allowing several devices to be controlled simultaneously and providing an automatic sequence of actions. There can be multiple objectives in a smart home energy management system, such as maximising comfort or minimising energy, emissions, and costs. However, these parameters are often inversely related. For example, while thermal storage (switching on the geyser at night-time to store hot water, when the cost of electricity is low and using it in the daytime when the cost of electricity is high) is used in case of timevarying tariff to save cost, there is an increase in energy consumption. It is difficult to optimise comfort, cost, energy, and emission simultaneously. There will generally be a need to trade off one parameter with the other. At IIIT Hyderabad, we are developing SHEMS under a DST funded Indo-UK project RESIDEResidential Building Energy Demand Reduction in India. In this project, we will develop and deploy SHEMS in 200 homes to evaluate its performance”, illustrates Garg.

The advent of the Internet of Things or IoT is one of the biggest milestones in the home automation sector. Implemented by sensors, controlling devices and actuators, IoT based home automation systems allow one to control all devices through internet protocols or cloud-based computing while offering flexibility over the wired systems, advantages like ease-of-use,

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COVER STORY

ease-of-installation, mobility and easy fault detection. Above everything, the energysaving attribute of a home automation system makes them desirable and beneficial for the mass. “The rise in home automation system penetration is making a significant change in user lifestyles and driving energy efficiency. Tata Power EZ Home solution empowers the End users to control and manage their energy usage and this positively impacts all stakeholders simultaneously”, says Sujay Kumar Saha, Head- ESCO & Home Automation, New Business Services, The Tata Power Company Limited.

Opening up about the growing popularity of smart homes, Garg says, “Various factors are responsible for the growing popularity and adoption of smart home devices. The recent advances in the Internet of Things (IoT) have resulted in low powered and lowcost computing devices. Also, the availability of low-cost internet has driven the adoption of connected devices. A transition from edge computing and physical storage to cloudbased computing and storage has enabled the easy application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Overall, these advancements have brought tremendous functionality and intelligence to these lowcost devices”.

“Tata Power EZ Home is an IOT based solution which offers smart energy management through efficient control of electrical appliances in a Household to its end customer. It also provides the comfort, control, convenience of operating the home appliances through voice & smartphones from anywhere. As per Oct-21 monthly generation statistics, 75% of the net power generation in India is met by Thermal power.

Optimized power usage and demand from end-users through IOT based Home Automation solution will help to serve new customers without new capacity addition in the Generation, T&D network. Thus it helps in reducing the greenhouse emissions in the entire power value chain”, adds Saha.

The Major Perks “Home Automation is perceived to be complex in technical architecture. Tata Power EZ Home is a unique solution which

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Sujay Kumar Saha, Head- ESCO & Home Automation, New Business Services, The Tata Power Company Limited. developed energy management above control & connectivity layer to enhance sustainable living by savings electricity & carbon footprint reduction at affordable cost”, says Saha.

“Energy Management built upon energy data analytics platform in-house by Tata Power to detect wastage of energy consumption realtime basis & initiate actions for savings. The user can compare this parameter against the rated power consumption of electrical appliances & can initiate maintenance actions immediately. Electrical Energy consumption tracking is available on the House level, individual Room level, individual appliance level as well as appliance category level for analysis. The user is informed about the room/appliances which contribute to high energy consumption and accordingly control for savings. A setting for monthly energy consumption is available for the user to track the monthly consumption and projection against the threshold. This feature enables the user to get slab-wise electricity tariff benefit by maintaining the consumption within limit”, adds Saha.

The primary advantages are: Cost Saving Households opt for smart energy management products or systems due to numerous reasons. Economic returns and cost-efficiency come at the top of the priority list. Smart energy management

COVER STORY

systems or devices are designed to decrease energy waste. For instance, smart lights with sensors can detect the presence of a person and automatically turns off when the room gets empty. “Tata Power EZ Home solution offers tangible benefits for the users in terms of savings from energy management and timely maintenance/repair of electrical appliances. Let us consider a case wherein the average consumption of a household is 600 units with an Energy Charge Rate of ₹ 6.5/ Kwh. Due to low ambient temp, in the early morning around 3-4 am, we feel chilled with AC running. But, we just pull up the blanket and keep the AC on. Tata Power EZ HOME allows one to automate the operations like switching the AC OFF/ ON. Hence the effective savings in a month can be around 60 units/month (1.5KW x 2Hrs x 70% [compressor operating condition] x 30 days/month). This is equivalent of saving ₹390/month (60 units/month x ₹ 6.5/unit)”, says Saha.

Tracking A small circuit breaker panel can be installed to get access to real-time power consumption insights. One can keep an eye on the whole house, check energy consumption, environmental impacts and also manage the same remotely through the web or mobile dashboards. Certain smart energy monitoring systems are capable of identifying the risk of an outbreak or a malfunctioning appliance in advance.

“The user can comfortably monitor and operate the appliances remotely as well as via voice commands. It facilitates customers to use appliances during their requirement in a day and can save the wastage of electricity during not-in-use condition”, explains Saha.

Carbon footprint reduction Smart energy management systems reduce power consumption, which leads to reduced emissions. Eventually, the carbon footprint diminishes. Solar power converters, storage and emission reduction systems are being devised and widely used due to the rise of residential renewable energy.

Indian Market Scenario “During the period 2009-2019, the residential electricity demand increased at a rate of 7.5%/annum which is slightly higher than total electricity demand of 7.3%/ annum. As per the BEE report on Smart Home Program- Technology Assessment study and Pilot design published in July 2021, implementation of energy efficiency measures can help in reducing the energy demand of the residential sector anywhere between 30% to 40 % for new construction as well as a retrofit in the existing building stock”, says Saha.

Research says, in India, the energy management systems market size is expected to reach $2,145 million by 2023, from $635 million in 2016, growing T CAGR

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COVER STORY

of 19.1% during the forecast period (as per alliedmarketresearch.com).

power, energy, telecom, IT, manufacturing, healthcare and a few more.

The EMS market players in India are expecting the fast-growing economy and increasing manufacturing capacity of India to bring fruitful business opportunities for them. The recent initiatives taken by the government aim to establish the country as the next manufacturing hub and lead the workforce to efficient utilization of resources. As a result, the EMS industry is anticipated to get profitable opportunities for inefficient energy distribution, consumption, and transmission. Besides, the public utilities and infrastructure in the country are rapidly developing with the integrations of smart solutions in smart cities projects. This is expected to drive market growth in future.

The only obstacle the industry is currently facing is the lack of awareness of EMS solutions and their benefits.

Today, every sector is keen to devise a cost-cutting technique. Therefore, the rising requirement of energy management in enterprises, offices, and commercial buildings is expected to boost the market growth of building EMS solutions in the country. In India, there are enterprises, small and medium, which still depends on backdated techniques and manufacturing technologies. “India is still at a primitive stage when it comes to automation in the Indian homes. When we talk of Global markets, we relate to the developed nations where most of their citizens have structured homes loaded with comfort equipment, safety systems and appliances. However, India, is nowhere close to providing such benefits to the majority of the population, where having a roof of their own, is still a dream”, says Mantravadi.

The energy management systems market is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate in the Asia Pacific region, due to rapid industrialization, rebates, and tax incentives from various governments across the region, especially in China and India. These are expected to boost sales.

The energy management systems market in India is segmented into service, offering, end-user, component, market vertical and regions. The offering segment is subdivided into services like monitoring, controlling, implementation, integration, maintenance, consulting, training and systems like home EMS, building EMS, and industrial EMS. In terms of components, the market is bifurcated mainly into sensors, controllers and software. The end-user segment is split into the residential and commercial segments. When it comes to the market vertical, the EMS industry is branched into

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The government is putting considerable efforts to enhance the manufacturing capacity to match that of the developed nations. “Developing nations like India, with its huge population, improved disposable income and facilitated financing options, is moving towards owned or structured homes.

Owned carpet area per family is increasing as well. Further, the per capita consumption of energy in the home segment is increasing with the ever-growing appliances and smart home markets.

India needs to consider the perspective of being one of the major energy consumers soon and working on a long term sustainable solution for energy usage. Today, we are may be able to generate energy as per our requirements, but the bigger challenge is to route the amount of energy to a precinct at a

A café in the morning.

An office in the afternoon.

A diner in the evening.

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COVER STORY

given time. For the same, we need advanced energy management systems that are better suited to the Indian consumers”, adds Mantravadi.

Drawbacks “The primary concerns are security and privacy. In one of the surveys that we conducted, it was evident that homeowners give the highest priority to ensuring the security of their devices and the privacy of their data. There can be serious consequences if any device is compromised, or the data is breached. Stringent standards, testing, and certification are required to address this concern. Another concern is the energy consumed by smart devices. It has been observed that these devices can consume significant energy even when they are switched off. This extra energy consumption can sometimes be more than the energy savings achieved by the use of such devices. Again, standardisation will play a significant role here. There is also a need to develop standards enabling the interoperability of smart home devices”, says Garg.

“One of the latest efforts to bring SHEMS in national code has been the inclusion of the annexure, Smart Home, in Eco-Niwas Samhita-II, which is a national energy conservation building code for residential buildings. It is expected that SHEMS will be a part of the main code shortly”, adds Garg.

Latest Innovations The electric grid is obsolete and hence, it is not competent enough to cope with the increasing electricity demand. “In early 2020, we witnessed a surge in global energy demand to supply imbalance caused by COVID19 and its associated lockdowns.

The POWER GRIDs found it challenging to handle the situation. Further, the resulting trend of Work from Home (WFH) shifted the entire supply chain of energy requirements from the Technology Hubs, entertainment industry, Malls, Retail, Hotels to individual residences which became extremely strenuous for the power and its distribution companies to store and re-route as per this unconventional routine”, explains Mantravadi.

Smart grid (SG) is the modern power grid, which is devised to churn out a solution.

It is an intelligent electric grid that 20

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accommodates internet-of-things (IoT), modern control technologies, information and communication technologies (ICTs), two-way power flow, and hybrid generation.

To overcome a challenge like high electricity demand, SGs can be used in the installation of power generating plants or broadcast demand response (DR) programs.

Way Forward “Building energy management plays a crucial role to automatically manage the output of power according to the demand whereby during peak hours, it will automatically take energy stored in the battery or other storage solutions, or set a scheduled shutdown or down trending or rescheduling your home activities so that the demand-supply at the POWER GRID can be managed”, says Mantravadi.

“Each home in 2025 will have close to 30 connected devices including smart homes, appliances, Alexa, and not to miss the 5G reaching the width and breadth of the nation. The Home automation data will further use the historic database gathered via the various connected devices, predict, make case-based rules and process big data via its Artificial Intelligence (AI) and make decisions based on the power available at the GRID or within a specific urban precinct”, adds Mantravadi.

INTERVIEW

Not Far Is The Day When Most Houses In The Country Will Be Smart Homes In conversation with Ar. Milind Pai, Principal Architect, Milind Pai Architects Connected homes are no longer a futuristic concept in India. It is gaining popularity quite rapidly.

Indians are willing to spend on safety, comfort and style and hence, the demand graph is rising vigorously.

“Smart Homes are creating a better experience for homeowners resulting in a home that’s secure, energyefficient and easier to manage.

This improves and enriches the overall quality of life. Also, the ease of operation at a finger’s click to create various scenarios, is an experience, way beyond the traditional multi-use switching system”, says Ar. Milind Pai.

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INTERVIEW

Who(consumer groups) are opting for smart homes the most?

The consumers with a very busy, on-the-go lifestyle, or consumers with bigger homes, who need easy access to all spaces on their fingertips are mostly opting for smart homes. Also, those who are looking for an enhanced lifestyle, along with comfort, convenience for their elderly and young members, are inclined towards smart homes.

What according to you are the must-have smart home products in today’s contemporary homes?

Out of the wide range of smart home products, the two must-have products would be, Biometric doors for better and stronger security and Automated/ Sensory lights for convenience and energy savings.

What role does system integrators play when it comes to designing a smart home? How important is their role?

A system integrator is a right person to understand and explain, to the consumer, the technology and various features of the products/devices. Products installations are mostly done by the system integrators. They programme the system in such a way that brings forward all the design features while 22

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INTERVIEW

convenience is also one major benefit in the current tech-savvy era.

In which sector (hospitality, commercial, residential), according to you, traditional devices and techniques are getting rapidly displaced to make room for smart devices and systems, aided with the latest technologies? And why?

The residential sector seems to be the one where traditional devices are rapidly being replaced by smart devices and systems. One of the major reasons is the lifestyle change that is taking place globally due to the lockdown phase, initiated by the pandemic when many people adapted work from home culture and wanted better comfort at home.

In what ways do you think the concept of smart homes has contributed to the lifestyles of working professionals?

Initially, smart homes were being marketed primarily as houses with high-end security features.

However, the market is now evolving fast into newer areas like lighting systems, gas leakage detectors, fire detection systems, entertainment systems and energy efficiency systems. Smart homes offer the working professionals a sense of security, convenience while initiating easy management, comfort and cost savings. fetching the technical inputs. This is very difficult for a layman to understand. Moreover, there are many specific features, offered by a system, that may vary from one system to another and, only the system integrator can understand and deliver.

Products of which category (lighting, security, entertainment etc.) witness maximum demand when it comes to integrating smart home devices while doing the interiors? Why? Security and lighting are the categories that are currently witnessing high demand. Security systems like biometric locks, cameras, etc. are required at many places for maximum protection. On the other hand, smart lighting is gaining popularity due to the convenience it offers and the amount of energy it conserves.

What according to you are the major benefits of Smart & connected homes in the current “tech-savvy-era”?

Do you see any challenging factor(economic, social, environmental etc.) that has a strong potential to restrain the smart home industry? What, according to you, are the possible solutions?

Not really. The only challenge, I feel, is the lack of a tech-savvy environment, where the systems are more complex to operate. But simpler operating systems will never see any inhibitions for use. Also, the post-sale service is very important as the local electrician cannot help in the maintenance of such technical systems. Therefore, the choice of the brand and system plays a big role in overcoming this challenge.

How do you foresee the Smart home industry 5 years down the line?

More Indians are blending in with the idea of living in fully-automated Smart Homes. Reports suggest that the Smart Home market is expected to grow vigorously year on year, thereby, the market is anticipated to double in size in the next 2-3 years.

Automated homes have all electrical connections, functions and facilities that can be connected and controlled by a smartphone or a computer, with the touch of a button. Mobility of access at your FEBRUARY 2022

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INTERVIEW

Cost Is The Primary Influencer On The Consumption Of AV Products In This Country In conversation with Manmohan Ganesh, Director, PRO FX

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INTERVIEW

The Indian market for Smart Home solutions is still at an extremely nascent stage, but on the cusp of growing exponentially over the next 10 to 15 years. While there has always been aspiration amongst new home buyers for automated homes, these solutions were considered to be way too expensive. However, of late, smart home solutions have become more affordable, operating platforms have become more stable, and awareness has increased. As a result, demand has been on the upswing. Further, as the cost of construction rises, consumers find that the cost of automating a home is relatively cheaper on a per square foot basis as compared to earlier days. Other factors driving demand are the increasing need for security solutions, multiroom entertainment, and the fact that domestic staff are now harder to get. The pandemic has also fuelled the need for smarter and selfsufficient homes.

Speaking on the dissimilarities between the Indian and global markets, Mr Manmohan Ganesh says, “The primary difference between global markets and India is that awareness of home automation is much higher abroad.

Another big difference is the high cost of power abroad which necessitates some level of investment into smart solutions that reduce energy consumption. In India the cost of power is still affordable and therefore affluent homes don’t bother with energy-saving lighting or HVAC. Moreover, since most Indian homes invariably have domestic help, the need for automated lighting, security, sprinkler systems, etc does not arise. However things have already started to change, particularly post Covid, and Indian homes too have begun considering smart home technology”.

“Internationally there seems to be greater demand for retrofit solutions, whereas in India consumers prefer a custom fit home automation The reason being there is a greater amount of new home construction in the developing world as compared to mature markets. Another

difference is that Indians prefer professionally installed systems whereas in the West many still prefer DIY solutions. We believe this trend will continue in the years to come”, he adds.

Would you like to run us through PRO FX’s journey to date? What are the hurdles it overcame on its way?

While PRO FX was established 22 years ago, our focus for the initial years was limited to AV only.

Our foray into smart home solutions began about 15 years ago when we entered into an alliance with an American brand called Netstreams. To further expand the scope of our offering and to ensure our customers got the best in terms of product quality and reliability, PRO FX soon partnered with Crestron and various KNX based automation brands. Our experience with these brands has been great and it has helped us build a solid reputation with extremely high net worth clientele. We’ve had the distinct honour of having India’s top entrepreneurs, sportspersons, movie stars and industrialists, including India’s richest family, as our clients!

What are the USPs of PRO FX? What are the company’s primary offerings(products and services)? What are the recent initiatives taken by the company?

Our foremost USP is our commitment to our customers. PRO FX spares no expense and goes the extra mile to satisfy its customers. PRO FX is also among the few companies that offer a complete range of audio, video as well as automation solutions at every scale. Moreover, our nationwide network of service centres responds quickly to customer requirements and ensures the lowest downtime in case of system maintenance or device failure.

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INTERVIEW

Currently, which all partner brands are there under PRO FX’s umbrella? What benefits does a franchisee get from PRO FX’s franchise model?

PRO FX distributes leading international audiovideo brands such as Denon, KEF, Polk Audio, Definitive Technologies, etc. In addition, PRO FX has close relationships with leading automation brands including Crestron, Lutron, Control4 and more. As a result of these alliances, PRO FX is able to offer its trade partners fully integrated solutions and with technical guidance to undertake the most demanding projects.

A PRO FX partner gets not just the benefit of the industry’s most extensive range of products but also technical support, installation support, priority service support, marketing support and special discounts on demo products.

Would you like to open up about the distribution path you take to reach the end consumers? Is there any particular business strategy or model, PRO FX always follows, to thrive in today’s competitive industry?

PRO FX has a dual strategy to reach out to end customers. We have a pan-India network of over 400+ reseller partners and 10 companyowned stores in Metro cities. This enables us to reach customers in even the smallest towns. Our company-owned stores are designed to showcase the more premium range of products that dealers would typically find difficult to invest in. We also encourage dealers to bring their own customers to our stores when the need for a high-end experience arises.

Which sector(residential, commercial or hospitality) is switching to automation or smart solutions the most? Why? While commercial requirements for automation 26

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are definitely growing, the larger spends on smart technology are among residential clients. Decisions on investments among commercial customers are often based only on costs. However, in the case of residential customers, system features, reliability, ease-of-use and brand influence their decision making.

According to you, which factors can hinder the growth of the smart AV industry?

What steps need to be taken to initiate an unhindered expansion?

High import duties, rising freight costs, high local levies (GST at 28% on display devices) and regulatory hurdles (WPC and BIS approval)make these solutions unaffordable for the common man. Some level of domestic manufacture and tax rationalisation will help bring costs down and boost consumption.

INTERVIEW

Our Vision Is To Create Solutions That Enhance The Way You Live With Technology At The Heart Of Its Design In conversation with Ishani Shah, Director, Smartiqo

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INTERVIEW

India has been a very dynamic market since the inception of internet infrastructure and technological advancements in the country. According to the Statista report, the Indian smart home market is expected to be around $6 billion by 2022, a two-fold increase from $3 billion estimated in 2020. Globally, this number is expected to reach $53.45 billion by 2022. “The market is ripe and people are considering what was considered a luxury before, to be the norm now. Good quality products, good after-sales service and DIY hassle-free automation will be the future”, says Ishani.

What are the company’s primary offerings?

Would you like to elaborate on Smartiqo’s latest launches? What is the technology used? How do these aim to revolutionize the Indian smart home industry?

The Smart Home market today is primarily segmented in terms of category on the usage of the products.

The smart home market is divided into six segments, namely, appliances, energy management, comfort and lighting, control and connectivity, security, and entertainment. SmartiQo focuses on the appliances, lighting and controls, and security part of this. There is an increase in personalization options today which caters to the client’s lifestyle requirements that 28

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cannot be fulfilled by general products in the market.

There is a need for consumers to be connected with their homes. Our wide range of products works on a single application, hence making the experience seamless and enjoyable. They are also compatible with voice controls. We understand this and provide a single platform on which you can operate more than 50 products, hence enabling the consumer to use all devices conveniently and dismissing the hassle of using multiple apps for multiple devices. This also eliminates the challenge of integrating different products from different companies with each. Our product range includes smart doorbells, door locks, switches and controls, lighting options and security sensors. Most of our products are wifi based, but we also have RF, IR and Zigbee based options. The devices must be able to work in an ecosystem. A couple of years ago, the internet infrastructure was not as advanced as it is today, and with increasing investment in internet infrastructure, both by the public and private sector, the WiFi, Zigbee, BLE and MESH networks have become more reliable and drastically improved.

Compatible with world-class AI smart devices like Alexa, Google Home and Siri, your home devices will now listen to you with a single command. You’d never have felt more connected to your living spaces than now.

INTERVIEW

Which cities or zones, in India, witness maximum sales and why? People of which segment are your primary buyers?

Because India is one of the fastest developing economies, we get demand from the smallest cities like Madurai to very advanced metropolitan cities like Mumbai.

However, to cater to this everincreasing demand, we have a large network of dealers in 45-50 big and small cities. The market right now is such that we cannot primarily segment it into tier 1, 2 and 3 cities.

However, there is an upward curve in terms of demand for smart homes given the increasing number of working professionals in the country post the pandemic. There has been an exponential increase in India in terms of product demand and the graph just keeps going upwards. The reason for an increased focus on the internet infrastructure by companies like Reliance, Vi and others is because of the widespread awareness and demand of the same to support the evolving fields of smart homes, gaming, fintech, metaverse and so on.

Would you like to open up about the company’s journey, speaking about the stumbling blocks and experiences gathered on the way?

Since SmartiQo is an extended branch of PowerPalazzo Pvt ltd, a 30-yearold pioneer in the LED, drivers and components industry, we have seen our fair share of challenges in these years that have only taught us to be better and serve better. During the covid-19 pandemic, people had a newfound respect for their homes and the need to invest in them to enhance their living spaces. The basics were when people started adapting to zoom, and other platforms for remotely and virtually carrying on with their work. This also included people who were previously new to technology and not adept at its use.

This increased the target audience, as now more and more people were

comfortable with technology as the backdrop for their life tasks.

However, the awareness challenge always remains and there is a constant need to improve communication between brands and their clients regarding their products and services. Educating the youth today will create a well aware audience for tomorrow.

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INTERVIEW

What was the vision you saw for the company, even before it was constituted?

Today, how close have you reached to the goals?

SmartiQo’s dream was simple: To make families more connected to their homes. To live more connected lives by serving both convenience and design.

SmartiQo is a dream to make every home in India a smart home. To make sure that the idea of smart living becomes more accessible than ever.

We have successfully tried to achieve this by providing a wide range of 60+ products that work on a single application from anywhere in the world, which is a solution that India has never seen before. This is the new age of smart living. Compatible with world-class AI smart devices like Alexa, Google Home and Siri, your home devices will now listen to you with a single command. You’d never have felt more connected to your living spaces than now. We are constantly innovating and researching to find solutions that can improve the lives of people across the nation. Think Smart, Think SmartiQo.

What are your market thriving strategies in today’s highly competitive industry, where new players are constantly stepping in?

I think it is good when new players enter the market.

It expands the market. Entering the market is often never the challenge, the challenge is sustenance. To thrive, to be wanted and to be remembered. That is more important. Everyone gets a one-time customer, but the best ones get the same customer time and again. I don’t think there is one winning strategy but yes, we just keep making sure that the customer is satisfied and we bring the best of products to the market. A good product and a satisfied customer is a strategy that usually never fails in my opinion.

Do you have any expansion plans overseas?

Yes, absolutely. We plan to expand vigorously abroad, but first, we are focusing on the Indian market and making sure that we are delivering the products here even in the smallest of towns. The Indian subcontinent itself is a big market. We want to serve here first.

Smart homes, once, used to be confined to the class. How important is it to make it

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accessible to the mass?

In the traditional era, there was quite a significant distinction between the classes, the type of products they would use or even afford to think about. For instance, home automation 10 years ago, was a luxury. Today, it’s a necessity. It is not surprising to see it everywhere. In a few years, it will be a regular commodity item. Where else have we seen this?

Smartphones, laptops, desktops, cars and so many more industries. Why does this happen? Well, lifestyle changes, technology evolutions which make the products more affordable and accessible, and well, a rising income.

Today, most companies that have made something significant out of their businesses, have brought something to the masses that wasn’t accessible to them before. This includes Uber, Airbnb, Swiggy and so many more. You have to play with the mass market in mind. Of course, this in no way changes or eliminates the segment of premium brands that cater to the very small per cent of a crowd that is willing to drop in the big bucks for international brands. Luxury cannot be replaced, but you can always create a bridge for the masses to experience that.

Today, which sector(residential, commercial, hospitality) is integrating smart technologies, the most? Why? Residential and Commercial is getting into it. The hospitality industry always had the KNX and other wired systems but it wasn’t as advanced as is today.

Today, with SaaS and PaaS being so advanced and available, the hotel and hospitality industry is taking advantage of it. Developers and Architects are increasingly incorporating this into most of their projects.

What impact does the growing popularity of IoT have on the future of the smart home and home automation industry in India?

IoT will change the way we live, perceive technology and use it to make mundane tasks automated. Often there is a perception that too much dependence on technology can make you weak. It is important to remember that you are not eliminating the need to work, but just trying to automate things to avoid the hassle of doing it manually. You can simplify your life with technology and take a step towards connected living.

SPOTLIGHT

AoIP Is Reaching Homes Audio Over IP Networks Gains Acceptance in Residential Sector.

The first AoIP networks were used commercially in the ‘90s, classed as audio over ethernet, without the need for a router, just point-to-point audio network via ethernet.

AoIP, network protocols allows users to send a high-quality digital audio signal over an existing IP network, via a single cable or fiber & higher data rate cables. When speaking technically, AoIP is the use of computer networks to transport audio & video between devices.

Audio over IP has leveraged networking to transform the world of professional sound, fundamentally changing to ways in which systems connect, expand, and deliver content to people.

Long used in professional audio applications, from theaters, stadiums, recording studios, and concert tours, AoIP is now entering consumer residences.

A brief description about AoIP With AoIP, the sound is broken into little digital packets, which are transmitted to its destination using the network infrastructure. An IP address delivers the audio packet to the right output destination (one or more speakers). The receiving station must then unzip the audio packets and assign them correctly.

Audio signals use the same connections as other data (emails, backups, internet traffic in a network).

With AoIP, separate lines for announcements or background music are not required.

AoIP solves the below problems : 1.

AoIP signal replaces analog signals. An analog signal is susceptible to interference, even with small transmission paths(< 10meters).

The signal and sound reproduction of high frequencies are weak, producing an overall dull sound.

2.

Ethernet cable replaces all other cables. While there are various types of transmissions for audio signals, they include a lot of special cables, adapter boxes, different interfaces and do not provide much flexibility. These issues are addressed with AoIP solutions, digitally transmitting audio signals in a single network cable.

With IP-based transmissions, being a part of our daily lives in audio/video communication,(services like google talk, skype using voice-over IP)they also allow the implementation of PA projects more flexibly. In buildings where a LAN network runs through most rooms, an AoIP solution is apt.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, the population was constrained to their homes, including audio enthusiasts and musicians. This has resulted in a rise in home recording studios, and in choosing AoIP products, the same equipment is usable at

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SPOTLIGHT

home & in modern recording studios.

Most smart homes are built to include robust, 1 Gbps wired networking(a cost-effective solution), allowing users to use audio solutions with the following capabilities: •

Support for a nearly unlimited number of endpoints

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Ability to cover large distances with no losses or noise

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Support for high channel count devices (typically up to 64 channels)

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100 percent lossless, pristine audio at up to 192 kHz sample rate

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All control and audio data on a single cable

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The ability for all home networking (internet, home automation, audio) to coexist with ease

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Easy interoperability between devices

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Easy installation with lightweight cable

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Easy expansion — just add a new device to a network port, and it’s ready to use.

AoIP in the Residential Sector In cases where it is difficult to house amplifiers near the AV processors, consumers can consider an AoIP system. This enables the existing

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infrastructure to send the audio over long distances, to a local amplifier with speakers.

AoIP is ideal for large houses/multi-storey apartment buildings where amplifiers can be stored locally near a home theatre, although the processor might be stored at another location.

Monitoring all the devices is crucial to maintaining and diagnosing any issues that arise. With the AoIP system’s network control interface, users can monitor devices across the whole audio network, allowing for changes and detection of any new firmware of the equipment.

AoIP also offers a lot of flexibility and creativity with audio system layouts, having the ability to route audio from any source to any audio endpoint.

An ideal requirement for AoIP would be when using category cable infrastructure to connect remote amplifiers, active speakers, or with an AES67 as input for DCI to an AV Processor.

As AoIP grows more advantageous in residences, manufacturers are bringing more AoIP products targeting home users into the market. Audio over IP is compelling for its unparalleled flexibility and bit-perfect fidelity, with more and more products supporting AoIP, residential systems are now poised to take listeners to the next level.

SPOTLIGHT

Listen To Distortion-Free Music Not Just Some Noise!

On the importance of subwoofers and the science behind Watching movies, tucked in a plush, comfy couch while munching on some homemade snacks, after a long office day or on weekends, indeed refreshes and reset our fatigued minds. Visuals accompanied with sound engrosses the audience by offering an immersive visual and auditory gratification. The music and sound effects of a movie are quite crucial for a riveting experience and are often convoluted. Therefore, a sound system is always preferred to keep up with each soundwave. Every sound comprises both high and low frequencies. But, loudspeakers alone are not enough to reproduce the lowest frequencies from the sound effects of movies like an explosion, gunshot or something similar. As a result, the audience can hear the sounds but is not able to feel and get absorbed into them.

Subwoofers, one of the important components of a comprehensive audio system, are capable of delivering frequencies as low as 20-200 Hz. Also, subwoofers can release all the low-frequency effects and are liable to the .1 in a 7.1 sound system. Working placidly with the remaining sound system as a single unit, these use large drivers called woofers, enclosed in a wood or plastic structure, to produce deeper sounds. A clearer bass is produced when a subwoofer uses the woofer and a built-in amplifier that powers the signal. There was a time when subwoofers were more of specialist devices relevant to the hi-fi enthusiasts, especially those who had an interest in large pipe organ generated music.

Today, subwoofers are being considered for home entertainment/music systems or an entire home cinema setup. People, these days, are opting for smaller ‘satellite’ left and right speakers along with one or more subwoofers. This format is known as 2.1, where the two refers to the primary pair of stereo speakers and .1 refers to the subwoofer with limited bandwidth. Similarly, 5.1 denotes a surround sound system with five main channels and a subwoofer, that will take care of the lowfrequency effects channel (LFE).

Subwoofers for Home Cinema: Most speakers in an audio or home theatre system are unable to reproduce all the frequencies sent by the audio source. The low frequencies, emulated by subwoofers, offer a rich, captivating, threedimensional effect. When it comes to enhancing a home cinema setup, interior designers and system integrators often prefer subwoofers that are not much bulky and can be easily concealed in a room.

“It is extremely essential to have a good quality transducer (speaker) which can reproduce sound in its most natural way without any distortion.

But, a speaker can only perform to its optimum with the appropriate enclosure design. It should represent 20-200 hertz. It must be accurate in producing both lower and higher frequencies while blending seamlessly with other experiences and surroundings. E.g. the speaker should match the size of the room”, says Ravi Lakkundi, Senior

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SPOTLIGHT

is built inside the subwoofer and these days it is wireless. In a passive subwoofer, the amplifier is a part of the soundbar, but the woofer is outside.

Other types are ported subwoofer and nonported, down-firing and front-firing. In the case of front-firing, the speakers are in front, and in down-firing, it faces the ground. It is just a design preference and depends on various factors like the dimension of the room, the placement of the subwoofer, different kinds of floorings whether wooden, marble, etc. and the overall aesthetics.

Subwoofers are always large to reproduce lower frequency which means higher wavelength. No matter where a subwoofer is kept, experience of low frequency is omnidirectional’’, adds Lakkundi.

Director, Product Management-Lifestyle, Harman India. “To attain the optimum acoustic experience, the subwoofers must be placed in an appropriate room keeping the size in mind, and one without any standing waves. Remember, a big subwoofer in a small room will not do justice or vice versa.

Even the world’s best subwoofer might not perform well in a bad room”, adds Lakkundi.

The primary thing that needs to be kept in mind while integrating subwoofers, is to make sure the subwoofer’s amplifier is able to power the driver and the subwoofer range blends seamlessly with the main speakers. Therefore, one must always reach out to experts like subwoofer installers or sound system integrators for a flawless setup. In-wall speakers, due to their exceptional performance, are widely integrated into most multiroom audio and even home theatre installations. Multiple subwoofers, when placed accurately, can initiate even bass distribution by filling in all the dips in the room. “It is important to understand that low frequency is very vital for a holistic audio experience. Imagine a movie being played in your home theatre, where a lion is growling or an elephant rumbling, and you don’t hear the animal sounds. That would definitely not be a complete acoustic experience. Now, if you play the same movie connecting to a full-range speaker, only then you can do justice to the entire entertainment experience”, explains Lakkundi.

“Coming to the classification of subwoofers, there are two types - active and passive, based on whether they are actively powered or passively powered. In an active subwoofer, the amplifier 34

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SPOTLIGHT

Latest Innovations Subwoofers are usually quite bulky. With constant technological advancements, subwoofers, today, also come in compact sizes with more efficient amplifiers and dual-driver designs. “Technologies like thin line subwoofers in cars or home, lowest distortions like the design of enclosure or magnet to build material are some of the upcoming technologies in this segment which keep evolving with more and more R&D. And, we need to understand that consumer audio has been seeing innovations each day. Hence, the bottom line is to realize that a high-quality subwoofer must have a linear performance, unlike non- linearity creating distortion. For example, sound systems like JBL BAR 9.1 True Wireless Surround can give a cinematic 9.1 surround experience of a movie theatre into homes with two detachable surround speakers and the added punch of Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X™ 3D sound”, states Lakkundi.

In A Nutshell Subwoofers & Woofers Both subwoofers and woofers generate lowfrequency sound waves and add depth to the sound by emphasizing bass. But, the way they do it, their sound output, drivers, amplifiers and power consumption are different.

A well-designed subwoofer will always emit quality sound effortlessly by the virtue or expertise of reproducing good music. “A subwoofer needs to move the cone efficiently to represent the sound.

And if that engineering is done to its best, one will surely enjoy distortion-free music”, concludes Lakkundi.

Differences: • Where subwoofers are typically used alone in a sealed enclosure, devised especially for lowfrequency audio, woofers are mostly part of a 2 or 3-way speaker system. The frequency range offered by subwoofers is usually 20 to 200 Hz (approximately), whereas, woofers produce a frequency range, which comprises both bass and midrange up to the tweeter’s cut-off frequency. Woofers have a broader frequency range of 40 Hz to 2500 Hz. • A subwoofer can tolerate a higher range of cone motion than a traditional woofer.

• Dual voice coil (DVC) subwoofers are quite commonly available. But woofers, mostly, are not dual voice coils.

• Subwoofers can produce extreme output levels due to their thicker and stiffer cones.

• Subwoofers are ideal for surround sound systems and woofers are perfect for stereo systems. Woofers can work on their own, unlike subwoofers, which can only improve the existing sound setup.

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TRENDING TECH

Products For Cleanliness & Wellness Three wellness tech innovations to make any home a healthier space Healthy living & cleanliness have been at the top of our agenda for the last couple of years. Home technology has grown to meet these demands, with automated sanitizer dispensers, air purifiers/humidifiers, robot vacuums tackling various surfaces.

Under this umbrella of wellness technology, the belowmentioned products/ brands are a result of a combination of technology & creativity. They are designed to boost consumer health & make lives a little easier.

Dyson Purifier Humidifier+Cool Formaldehyde The Dyson Purifier Humidify+Cool Formaldehyde automatically purifies and hygienically humidifies for a healthier environment. Even detects and destroys formaldehyde.

With an ability to detect, destroy formaldehyde in household items, it also senses and traps pollutants. Apart from projecting purified humidified air through a room, the Dyson Purifier Humidifier has an automatic deep clean cycle.

Mi Air Purifier 3C For consumers who can do without the humidity and want to beat polluted air, the Mi Air Purifier comes with a highly efficient three-layer filter core, which can achieve a PM CADR of up to 320 m³/h together with a 360-degree air duct circulation system, it can purify at high speeds for longlasting clean air.

Offering Smart control, air quality updates, and AI voice via Mi Home/Xiaomi Home app. It also supports both Google Assistant and the Alexa AI smart system for voice control. Mi Air Purifier’s minimalist, white design is perfect for the decor of any interior space.

ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 Pro Smart Robot Vacuum Cleaner The ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 is ideal for pet owners, eliminating dirt, stains, and pet hair from flooring surfaces. With a range of cleaning modes, 110-minute runtime, and OZMO mopping technology, this machine follows an advanced back-andforth cleaning pattern to deliver a systematic and thorough cleaning job.

Possessing an upgraded dustbin and reservoir the ECOVACS DEEBOT U2 provides a balanced system to clean the rooms (average size) in a single go while using- time battery charge and water fill. Its Pet Care kit feature can handle pet shedding seasons, and the tangle-free brush proves handy to remove large fur/hair volumes.

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CASE STUDY

Glimpse Of An Automated Luxurious Interior Designed By: Ar. Riddhi Shah, Principal Architect at ADL – Advance Designs N Lifestyle

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CASE STUDY

Home automation systems are gaining traction across the globe due to their various advantages. In home security, automation systems notify the users about intruders and activities at their homes, which in turn aids in preventing potential crimes. They also help in minimizing energy consumption and increasing operational efficiency.

“There is now at least one element of automation built into the system in almost everything we see, experience, and use.” - From Pranjal Sharma’s book ‘India Automated’ The impact of all the technologies such as AI, drones, blockchain, augmented and virtual reality is the visible rise of automation in India. This shift is not about saving costs, but about getting better and real-time insights into internal operations. We live in an era of not just information overload but also instant information. So, Phrases like the internet of things (IoT) are used liberally, but their real impact is on the information that they generate.

Just to sum it up for us as architects & designers who play an integral part in creating all the home & work environments we need to start considering automation as one of the mandatory core services just like we do for MEP in all our projects.

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The Scope of Work A huge residence Mansion of 40000 sq. ft. is set on a 10-acre property with various amenities. As the space is huge for the limited number of occupants, they wanted a hassle-free experience where the entire property’s lighting & landscape watering could be maintained with a click of a button.

The Client’s Vision The client wanted automation but only to the extent where it does not make the users lazy and interrupts daily chores.

The Architects involved busted the myth that automation makes an individual lazy. Instead, they explained to the client how home automation creates experiences that aid in using time more productively, including other benefits such as energy-saving, ease of operations & security management.

Design, Planning & Execution Phase An automation consultant was brought on board, right from the initial conceptualization. Working together the design achieved was an efficient, cost-

CASE STUDY

effective solution for the project. The final design met all the minute minute requirements of the client.

Automations Integrated For this project, lighting, HVAC, curtains, a few windows, and the AV system were integrated into an automation system. A variety of brands were evaluated and shortlisted before finalizing. The criteria for the selection of the brands was their innovative and user-friendly solutions.

Once the final system was selected, a system integrator assisted in optimizing the overall design and costs, making the entire process go smoothly.

Challenges Faced There were a lot of speculations from the client’s friends & family which led to doubts at various stages of the project. The Architects guided the client convincingly throughout the execution of this project.

The lack of knowledge of the general public in terms of wired automation & wireless automation, understanding the monetary gap creates difficulty for consultants trying to offer the best solutions.

A wide variety of automation brands are available FEBRUARY 2022

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CASE STUDY

in the market, and they can be overwhelming for new clients.

Eventual Outcomes Home automation has come a long way, practically everything one can imagine to automate in a home is now possible. With learning and experience, a high-tech home is an easy possibility for everyone.

Client’s Feedback The client was happy & satisfied with the automation experience. They overcame their doubts and now enjoy home automation. The client continues to work with the system integrator to make modifications.

Final Takeaway Education and awareness are required across all

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generations for the acceptance of automation.

People of all ages have become accustomed to smartphones at a certain level, convincing them for automation won’t be difficult. With the help of appropriate avenues, consumers will have a healthy knowledge and perception of home automation.

Today 8 out of every 10 clients prefer automation to be included in their homes & workspaces.

People are ready to spend on lifestyle, but society at large should first understand its benefits and they will embrace the digital transformation in the residences.

About ADL – Advance Designs N Lifestyle A second-generation Architectural & Interior Design Consultancy firm with 40 years of experience. Their portfolio includes High-end Bungalows across India, Interiors of Luxury Residences in Prestigious projects across Mumbai & Large-Scale Corporate Offices in various states.

CASE STUDY

‘Lavish Yet Sustainable - 5 Star Hotel in Madrid’ Lighting Design & Automation by: Lutron The 5 Star VP Plaza España Design Hotel is an icon of design, art, and architecture in Madrid. The hotel has 214 rooms on a total of 17 floors and 102 underground parking spaces. One of the main differential elements of VP Plaza España Design 5, is the commitment made by the company to create a design that visitors can perceive. The architecture of the building, the aesthetics of the furniture, the materials, chromatic line, and other decorative elements or works of art displayed across the common areas to each room, reflect the dedication by the company. The spacious parking facilities are unique in their design and offer charging points for all types of electric vehicles.

The Client’s Vision The design objectives for the VP Plaza España Design (VP) were ambitious and clear. It is set in the most elite real estate in Madrid, to create a lavish & sustainable five-star hotel.

“We wanted to create an innovative luxury hotel that would comply with the highest standards of quality as they relate to both guest experience and sustainability,” said Laura Granados, Marketing Director for VP Hotels.

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CASE STUDY

The Scope of Work Lighting design plays a critical role in defining both the guest experience and building performance. This project demanded a lighting control solution that delivers next-level functionality while being intuitive for guests and hotel personnel to use.

Maurici Ginés, the Lighting Designer of VP’s guestrooms, said Lutron was the obvious choice. “We chose Lutron for the quality guarantee, the beauty and intuitive nature of its keypads, and also because it offers a high-quality product for a very reasonable price,” he says.

The complete lighting control solution structured for the VP consists of Lutron systems, offering complete control of the guestroom’s environment and public use spaces throughout the property.

Automations Integrated The lighting experience in the guestrooms, meeting rooms, restaurants, and other areas of the building needs to help differentiate the VP from other top-tier Madrid hotels.

To achieve this, a highly integrated solution coordinates the lighting system with shades and temperature control in guestrooms; manages lighting and AV layouts in partitionable meeting spaces; and communicates with the DMX-controlled dynamic façade, among other things.

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The project also demanded guestroom keypads that are intuitive and beautiful. Guests from anywhere in the world need to be able to understand and operate them without deliberation, and, aesthetically, the controls must compliment the stunning interior décor. The myRoom Plus solution, which was selected

by Ginés, provides a combined control of guestroom lights, shades, and temperature. Guests can access all the room’s features from the Palladiom keypads in their rooms.

“The pictogram component of these controls is very well done and easy to understand,” Ginés added, “It is clear that Lutron has been creating solutions for the hotel industry for a long time.”

The hotel staff has remote access to the lights, shades, and HVAC in all guestrooms. They use this to activate a welcome setting during check-in, so guests enter well-lit rooms with open shades revealing those coveted views of Madrid.

This is a perfect example of how enhanced and timely control delivers a heightened experience, without energy waste.

Diego Gronda, who oversaw interior design for the hotel’s award-winning Ginkpo Restaurant and Sky Bar said, “I believe that the system has two fundamental advantages. The first is the technical sophistication, which allows for the dimming of light levels below 1%. It helps us, especially in an intimate atmosphere at sunset or night — to achieve the exact

CASE STUDY is further simplified by Lutron’s free designing software offered to designers, contractors, and other commercial building professionals.

The software assists in designing Lutron lighting control systems and generating comprehensive system design documentation (e.g. Bill of Material, One-line Diagram, and Sequence of Operations).

Their project management teams provide conceptual and detailed proposals on light control solutions, they also participate in job coordination meetings on light control solutions.

level of lighting we want. The second advantage is that. in spite of its complexity, it’s still a system that’s simple to use,” he says. “It’s an intuitive tool.”

Ms. Granados agreed. “The lighting plays an important role in the common areas, meeting rooms, events spaces, and, of course, the guestrooms. There are more than 50 different settings and our personnel can control the entire lighting system of the hotel from an iPad. It is very easy to use.”

Since integration is also an aspect of the lighting control system in this sustainability-focused, five-star hotel. The Quantum system integrates the lighting and automated shading control with other hotel systems, such as the audio and visual systems used in the large partitionable meeting space and the DMXcontrolled dynamic facade.

Lutron has a LED Control Center of Excellence as a comprehensive source for all things related to LED, from LED/lighting control compatibility, to fixture selection and solutions. Lutron Field Service Engineers can provide onsite system start-up and commissioning, plus 24/7 multilingual technical support via customer hotline. They even offer comprehensive maintenance services and training to provide ongoing support and software updates throughout the lifecycle of our systems.

Eventual Outcomes Since its opening in March 2018, this flagship, fivestar property from VP Hotels has earned several notable awards. The 2018 Spain Luxury Hotel Awards recognized VP as the Best Luxury Business Hotel and it was also awarded the 2018 XII Roca Awards for Hotel Initiative in the Architecture and Urban Hotel categories. It’s Ginkgo Restaurant & Sky Bar won the popular vote in Gatoterrazas 2019.

“Seamless integration across the different technology and all of the system touchpoints was an important piece in providing the state-of-the-art experience expected by the owners. architects, and guests,” said Alberto Poza from Global TV, Lutron’s Madrid-based Hotel Technology Integrator (HTI) for the project.

Challenges Faced While the goals of extravagance and efficiency may seem to be in competition, lighting controls can satisfy both. Earning the five-star distinction demands that a property provide a guest experience that meets or exceeds the highest expectations for comfort, décor, and luxury. The sustainability criteria, on the other hand, required the careful allotment of resources and a strategy for minimal impact. Sophisticated lighting control systems can simultaneously impress and cut waste by giving users the exact level of lighting they want, precisely where they want it. Five-star spaces demand five-star functionality.

Lutron’s team met the client to analyze their needs and identify the best solutions to meet their project objectives and budgets. Lutron’s services and support team is fully committed to supporting every project from initial design through occupancy and beyond.

The whole process of design and specification

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The VP project also earned the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold-level certification, making it one of the first hotels in Spain to receive this distinction in sustainable design.

beauty and intuitive nature of their keypads, and the outstanding performance of our solutions at a very reasonable price.

Lutron helped make all this possible, said Granados.

“We have a first-class lighting system, which differentiates us significantly from other hotels — and helped us get LEED Gold certification. We are delighted with the results,” she added. “We have not found any company that combines design, innovation, and quality in the way that Lutron does.”

Final Takeaway

Client’s Feedback “We are delighted with the result. We haven’t found any company that combines design, innovation, and quality in the way that Lutron does.” —Laura Granados, Marketing Director for VP Hotels Lutron had a good experience and customer feedback in this project. The hotel operators and designers were satisfied with their guaranteed high quality, the

The final result of the project, is a sophisticated level of performance that meets stringent sustainability targets in a controls package that is surprisingly simple to use.

The Lutron team’s final takeaway from this project is that it’s very important as always to understand the client’s needs and assist them in overcoming the obstacles in the whole project cycle.

Their project management team helped the client navigate the project from start to finish and provided global support. The final takeaway, which is also the first company principle is to take care of the customer with superior goods and services.

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NEWS

Amazon Alexa Turns 4 In India, Offers Discounts On Alexa Devices

Amazon’s virtual assistant Alexa, marks 4 years of completion in India. Celebrating this occasion, Amazon announces discounts on Alexa devices. Furthermore, it disclosed insights into how Indian users have interacted with Alexa.

The discounts on Amazon products are stated below : Amazon Echo smart speakers & smart displays hold a discount of up to 50%, while the Fire TV devices are available at a 43% discount.

Alexa-enabled products and other smart home devices from brands like OnePlus, boAt, Wipro, Panasonic, Xiaomi, are also under a 30% discount. Other offers include the Echo Dot – 3rd Gen & New Echo Dot-with clock, Echo Show 8, are under discount of up to 50%. All 46

movie dialogs to word meanings to weather reports, and more.

offers are live on Amazon India, validity lasts until February 16.

Among the shared insights, Amazon revealed that 50% of Alexa users were from the non-Metro cities and the number of Alexa requests has increased by 68% in 2021 since 2020.

Additionally, the following details were also brought to light : • Alexa catered to over 21.6 lakh songs requests every day, with kids, devotional, and regional songs being in the top 20.

• Listened to 2.6 lakh requests for controlling smart home appliances.

• Answered nearly 1.7 lakh questions every day, ranging from

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Indian users greeted Alexa good morning and good night 1,520 times every day.

Moreover, Amazon improved Alexa’s Natural Language Understanding by 27% in 2021, enabling it to understand English, Hindi, Hinglish, and more languages with no errors. Alex also gave users access to Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan’s life stories, tonguetwisters in his voice, and much more.

NEWS

Birchwood Lighting Announces Launch of New Acoustic Luminaries and Panels

Birchwood Lighting announced today the launch of BWA250 acoustic luminaries and panels in the BW family of products. The BWA250 combines seamless, pixel-free illumination with exceptional sound dampening to provide superior quality light and sound clarity for large open indoor environments.

Noise level reduction often leads to a more comfortable and efficient work environment.

The BWA250 helps to minimize background noise, which allows occupants to see and hear more clearly, resulting in greater concentration and focus.

“The introduction of BWA250 represents a move toward a

minimalistic yet functional design philosophy for Birchwood,” said Adam Zepeda, Senior Director, Brand Management, Birchwood Lighting. “Its minimal yet flexible internal structure means the acoustic shroud can be customized to various heights, allowing users to customize the luminaries and panels to fit the size and needs of their spaces”, added Zepeda.

With an NRC rating of 0.95, BWA250 decreases the noise level in a room by absorbing internal and external sound through the BW Acoustic material. Available in lit or non-lit configurations, 200 – 900 lm/W and an integral driver, the BWA250 is designed with advanced modern performance and industry-leading sound dampening.

“The BWA250 builds off the success of Birchwood’s BW family of highly configurable direct/indirect luminaries that provide modern performance for today’s specifiers.

To further enhance the visual comfort for building occupants, we’ve adapted features from the BW family such as, high efficacy lensing, an indirect batwing, and architectural deep dimming”, added Zepeda.

The BWA250 is available with direct & indirect illumination. Birchwood acoustic luminaries offer a responsible solution for office spaces, schools and common areas by providing sustainable housing made from 60 percent post consumer recycled content.

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Crestron Adds New DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier and In-Wall Subwoofer to Residential Audio Solutions

Crestron Electronics announces two new residential audio solutions, the Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer and DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming PreAmplifier for high-performance Audio-over-IP. Both products are part of the global leader in home automation (AoIP) solutions.

“Both the Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer and the expansion of our DM NAX solutions help us further our goal of providing integrators the most comprehensive suite of home audio solutions possible,” stated Michael Short, Director of Residential Marketing, Crestron.

“These products natively integrate with each other and with the broader Crestron Home platform giving integrators the ability to hit the ground running, whether they are starting a new project or scaling the smart ecosystem for an existing client”, added Short.

Crestron Ultimate Subwoofers made by Origin Acoustics

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The Crestron Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer is the newest addition to Crestron’s home audio arsenal.

The Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer provides deep, rewarding bass for demanding multiroom audio setups or home theatre appliance installations. The Ultimate In-Wall Subwoofer, like the rest of the line’s products, is manufactured with high-quality components and paintable grilles for a bespoke look.

The Ultimate Subwoofer is compatible with the Crestron Home ecosystem and DM NAX AoIP technology, making it simple for homeowners to broadcast full, rich sound throughout their house.

Crestron DM NAX Audio-over-IP Distribution Solution Crestron’s first pre-amplifier is the newest addition to the DM NAX family, expanding the range of options for homeowners and integrators searching for residential AoIP distribution platforms.

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Slimmer in form (1RU) but similar in function to the DM NAX Amplifier, the DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming PreAmplifier natively integrates with Crestron Home, is interoperable with AES67, and Dante® audio networking. It employs hardwired connections so it can be smoothly connected to existing amplifiers in retrofit or new construction projects.

Integrators can give consumers entire control of the audio environment using DM NAX AoIP’s flexibility, scalability, and interoperability, allowing them to toggle between TV audio, streaming music, podcasts, alarms, doorbells, and even paging and intercom usage to any speaker in the house.

The Ultimate Subwoofer will be available for purchase on March 23, and the DM NAX 4-Zone Streaming Pre-Amplifier can be pre-ordered now.

NEWS

Smart Home Expo, Pulls Up Its Socks to Host India’s largest Smart Home Technology Show From 20-21 April 2022, At Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai!

Smart Home Expo, India’s only comprehensive trade show, exhibition, and conference, demonstrating the best smart home technology and attracting trade visitors from all over the country, is all set to bring together 150+ renowned Indian and international brands under one roof and exhibit the latest smart home technologies, from 20-21 April 2022, in India’s foremost venue for best-in-class exhibitions and conventions, the Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai, spread across a vast area of 32,163 sq. m.

Few among the key participants are Osum, Panasonic, Crabtree by Havells, LG Electronics, Control4, Asus, RTI, ELAN, Raylogic, Casambi, Marantz, Yale (Assa Abloy ), Basalte, GM, URC, Hogar Controls, Optoma , Blacknova, EElectron HMS Networks, Fibaro, Amina Sound, Tru Audio Polycab, Casambi, Greatwhite Electricals, MK Sound, Episode, Gallo Acoustics, Loewe, Ajax Systems, Dormakaba. With a 100% repeat participation from past exhibitors /sponsors, Smart Home Expo, this time, is organizing networking events, 2-days tech conferences, and hosting Smart Living Awards show to gratify the participants and

attendees. The conferences will revolve around topics like: •

How to bring a unified experience to smart homes?

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Functions and benefits of smart home devices and home automation systems.

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The concept of smart home integration and the consumer experience it offers.

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Smart lighting & lighting control for next-gen homes/buildings.

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What will home theatre look like in 2030?

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Technological advancements initiate revolutionary innovations in the home entertainment sector.

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Architects’ & interior designers’ contribution to the rapid adoption of the concept of smart homes, by the urban mass.

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Impacts of smart home automation systems & applications.

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The Smart home expo will showcase the brands from the following categories this year – •

Lighting Control Systems

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Smart Home Security

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Home Control Systems

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Home Automation Solutions

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Smart home Devices

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Audio - Video

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Smart Offices

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Smart Hotels

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Intelligent Buildings

The Smart Home Expo 2022 is a must-attend event for anybody interested in Smart Home Technology.

Offering a dynamic show floor as well as a two-day conference program. The Smart Home Expo 2022 is an excellent opportunity to learn more about home technology.

Hogar Controls Unveils The AllNew Flagship Multi-Functional Smart Touch Panels “Prima+ Series” Hogar Controls Inc, a global IoT firm that has chosen Hyderabad to set up its R&D & assembling unit in 2019, has announced the launch of its all-new range of Prima+ Smart Touch Panel series. With a design-first approach and as a part of holistic smart home solutions, Hogar’s touch panel series includes three product variants under the Prima+ series.

The connected home is fast becoming a reality, with people embracing technology to the core in day-to-day life. As the impact of the IoT is already evident in every consumer’s home, Hogar Controls intends to redefine connected living with one of its core offerings, Prima+ smart touch panels. The product imbibes futuristic technology to turn ordinary lights, fans, and 50

appliances into smart fittings, this transforming a traditional home into a smart home.

Prima+ series is aesthetically designed master control panels to complement a contemporary lifestyle. While Hogar’s wide range of touch panels offers the flexibility of choosing from multiple designs, options, and combinations, the portfolio comes with Six, Eight & Twelve Gang Box options that include one Light Dimmer, one Fan Controller, a Motion Sensor and can be customized as per user’s needs.

This next-generation smart home controller helps manage multiple devices such as fans, lights, curtains, shades, blinds, and dimmers with just a touch of a button or through the mobile app or through Google Assistant & Alexa.

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NEWS like the US, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and the Middle East,” he further added.

Announcing Hyderabad as its India headquarter and commencing its operations in the city in 2019, Hogar Controls has come a long way. It was one of the first and few IoT companies to commit INR 100 Crores investment in Hyderabad, and despite experiencing severe hardships and critical challenges during the pandemic, Hogar Controls fulfilled its commitments by setting up an assembling unit in Uppal. The facility employs over 100 people and has a production capacity to the scale of 6 lakh units per year.

Mr. Vishnu Reddy, CEO – Hogar Controls, said, “Smart technology

is bringing a whole new meaning to the term Smart Homes. As consumers’ reliance on technology is increasing than ever, there is a strong and growing demand for connected home devices, services, and solutions across the globe.

At Hogar Controls, our constant endeavor would be to understand consumer preferences and introduce products and solutions that offer seamless, secure, and connected living to our consumers.”

“As part of our expansion plans, we aim to manufacture a wide range of home automation products in the next 1 – 2 years. While India remains our priority market, we will continue to focus on exporting products to other global markets

Mr. Jaspreet Singh Bhatia, Vice President – Hogar Controls, said,” We are excited to launch our flagship product Prima+ Smart Touch Panels. Our products are designed for everyday use and come with high-sensitivity capacitive sensors that respond perfectly to all your touch commands. Keeping in mind the existing market that primarily comprises traditional switchboard fitting, our products come with a completely retrofit design that enables easy fitting to any existing switchboard without much hassle on wiring or need for remodeling.”

Prima+ series smart touch panels are compatible with any smartphone and voice-controlled via amazon Alexa or google assistant on supported devices via sensors. The smart touch panels are heat, humidity, and shockproof and work on low-power radio waves that travel through floors and walls with a power consumption of less than 0.5W. Currently, Hogar Controls is the only brand that offers a complete range of retrofit and wireless smart home solutions.

Janus Technology & Rako Controls Partner Up to Provide Faster & Easier Control4 Integration Solution Janus Technology has partnered with Rako Controls to streamline Control 4 lighting control integration. The all-new Janus Technology Control4 driver is anticipated to turn the integration of Rako lighting control into a Control4 system easier, quicker and more streamlined. This is described as a huge step forward in driver technology.

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that streamlines Rako system installation, integration, and remote management. It’s a small counter-top unit with time-based functionality, conditional logic, and complex system capabilities that can be triggered by wired or wireless commands.

With over 10 years of inter-cooperation and comprehensive knowledge of the Rako product line, Janus Technology has developed the Control4 driver to work particularly with the new Rako HUB. The driver extracts all room, channel, and circuit information from the Rako HUB and adds all required proxy drivers automatically, while immensely speeding up the commissioning procedure for the installation. It makes use of the new HUB API for more dependable communication and feedback.

The driver suite also contains RGB and RGBW drivers, which are fully compatible with Janus Technology’s Colour Wheel, a web view driver that enables users to quickly and simply adjust the colour of numerous lighting channels in a Rako system. Now, it works with both the Control4 mobile app and the touchscreen.

Paul Wafer, Director, Rako Controls added: “When integrating third-party systems, there is always a separate driver needed. Many of these drivers have not been updated and maintained over the years so they require manual programming by the integrator. This can be time-consuming and complex, which is the last thing you need when you are working on-site”.

“The new Control4 driver that Janus Technology has developed offers seamless integration with the Rako HUB interface. We have tested it internally and are impressed with the results. We’re sure it will prove a huge advantage for Control4 dealers who want to implement Rako lighting control in their systems”, continued Wafer.

Mark Benson: New Head of Samsung SmartThings Mark Benson has been appointed as the new head of Samsung SmartThings, the leading platform empowering connected living and the future of IoT. With over 20 years in the industry, Benson was previously the Head of Product & Engineering at SmartThings where he was engaged in multiple projects that made SmartThings substantive for developers as well as their customers.

“Connected living is at an inflection point and is primed for mass adoption. SmartThings continues to be at the center of this movement, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build, grow, and expand our platform to new audiences,” said Mark Benson, Head of SmartThings US. “We are very proud of SmartThings’ evolution and are excited to work in tandem with Samsung to push its global initiatives forward.”

Benson along with his team were crucial in building SmartThings and expanding the platform beyond hubs directly into Samsung devices. He led the development of SmartThings Edge, a new hub architecture that allows hub connected devices to execute locally. Benson was pivotal in the integration of Matter, a smart home interoperability standard, with SmartThings ecosystem.

“Connectivity within the home is becoming more important to consumers to help with their everyday lives. At Samsung, we have been following this trend for years and have invested in SmartThings to create new experiences for our users and allow the home to take care of them,” said Patrick Chomet,

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Corporate Executive Vice President Head of Products & Experience at Samsung. “The smart home market is now a multi-billion-dollar industry, and we’re confident that Mark’s extensive leadership experience will continue to drive our mission of bringing SmartThings into every household across the world.”

SmartThings has created a rich ecosystem of partnership, with billions of devices being compatible and has positioned itself at the center of creating a unified connected home experience.

NEWS

Meeami Technology Will Offer AIBased Noise Cancellation Solution For Smart Home Devices And Headphones Meeami Technologies, a pioneer and leader in audio AI, noise cancellation, speaker ID and audio analytics software, recently announced that its flagship MVNS noise cancellation solution is now available as a low footprint embedded solution that can run on DSPs and Edge AI engines as well as ARM cores.

Meeami has developed a technology that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and suppress a wide range of noise. Meeami’s speech enhancement technologies are being used by more than 30 million devices and people.

Meeami’s edge AI R&D efforts have successfully reduced the AI footprint in terms of compute and memory requirements to be able to run in DSP chips and SoCs. The new embedded AI solution consumes less than 50-100 Mhz on average CPU with approx. model size of 1 MB for all noise types. For specific use cases or reduced noise types, Meeami can provide AI model sizes of 500 KB to fit into many current chip sets. Meeami is already working with leading audio chipset providers to deliver an embedded Audio AI Noise cancellation and integrated solution for specific markets. Meeami Audio AI can also run on CPU, DSP, GPU, AI Cores and any combinations of these on most SoCs.

“We are very pleased to announce a low footprint cutting edge AI solution that can power multiple use cases such as noise-cancelling headphones, smartwatches, wearables, gaming consoles, smart switches and voice enabled smart home appliances. We are partnering with leading Audio chip companies to offer a single chip and low-cost noise cancellation solution for many types of devices.” commented Pankaj Joshi, head of Product at Meeami Technologies.

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Midea Unveils The Next-Gen S8+ Robot Vacuum Cleaner Midea Robozone Technology, a subsidiary of Midea Group that uses cutting-edge technology to shape its core competitiveness in the smart home cleaning technology and ecosystem.

Midea has announced the release of the Midea S8+ intelligent auto-dust-collection robot. Thanks to its automatic dust collecting station, it frees customers’ hands for up to 30 days.

The Midea S8+ has the following new features: 1.

Automatic dust collection station that can collect dust and debris for up to 30 due to that large capacity disposable bag. It has 19000Pa of suction power and a surprising 9-second collection process, with no residue left in the robot’s dust tank.

The 2.5L self-sealing dust bag and a lock-down system prevent dust from leaking during collection.

It collects dust automatically while charging and features a ‘full-dust’ reminder.

2. The high-frequency vibration mop leaves the floor cleaner with the self-adjusting suction power of 4000Pa. Equipped with a newly-designed V-shaped floating roller brush, it has a dust removal rate of 95% with a 450ML dust box capacity.

It has been outfitted with 5200mAh large-capacity battery to support 180 minutes of battery life.

3. The ultra-frequency vibration wiping and mopping system removes tenacious stains, scouring floors up to 500 times per minute. It cleans using a deep mop which makes it suitable for both wet & dry usage.

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4. The robot’s new generation LDS navigation system scans the entire house properly, allowing it to clean large regions without missing or repeating any spots.

Working in a multi-story home environment is made easier with a multimap-saving feature.

5. Users have complete control: Auto cleaning, Selective room or area cleaning, Intensive cleaning, and Zigzag cleaning are some of the cleaning modes available.

Wi-Fi connectivity, Alexa and Google speech integration, and app support with the MSmartLife App are all included.

The vacuum cleaner has been fitted with 30+ improved sensors including a carpet detection system for automatic carpet intensive cleaning switch, high-tech identification & an AI dynamic obstacle avoidance system.

NEWS

The RTI platform is now compatible with Lutron’s RadioRA 3 RTI has announced that its control platform works in tandem with Lutron’s latest RadioRA 3 lighting and control system, effortlessly integrating and controlling it.

With its wall controls, touch-controlled light bar design, IoT connection, a new all-in-one PoE processor, simpler programming software, and app-based editing tools, the RadioRA 3 is set to revolutionize how homes experience lighting control. RTI further enhances the experience by allowing RadioRA 3 items to easily programme, manage, and automate, using RTI interfaces.

“Lighting control is an essential part of the smart home and is a growth category for integrators,” said Neal Ellsworth, Director of Product Management, RTI. “RadioRA 3 broadens the opportunity for dealers to provide beautiful lighting, shading, and control options. RTI takes it a step further, enabling dealers to fully integrate automation and customisation that will truly delight customers with a superior smart home lighting experience” added Ellsworth.

Homeowners can now have customized solutions that they can manage entirely with their RTI interfaces, using Lutron’s LEAP driver to enable RTI integration.

The Lutron LEAP driver, which enables RadioRA 3 control, is now available and promises that future RTI Integration Designer programming software upgrades will include additional functionality such as configurable lighting sliders in the user interface.

Vinshek Introduces Dynavoice Speakers & Subwoofers to Indian Users.

VINSHEK brought custom install architectural audio brands to India, around 20 years back and is now launching Dynavoice.With a focus to offer “Best in Price-Performance Ratio” Speakers & Subwoofers to Indian users.

Dynavoice has an excellent lineup of speakers & subwoofers with an unbeatable price to performance ratio. With four different series in the basket.

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Magic Series – Magic series is their high-performing entry-level series. The rich sound has made the Magic series a favourite among both the customers and critics.

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Challenger Series- Challenger is internationally acclaimed by customers and critics alike at HighEnd music shows and sets a whole new standard in its segment.

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Definition Series – Dynavoice Definition is exclusive speakers with incredible detail creating a sound unchallenged in its price range.

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Classic Series.

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VINSHEK proudly represents Dynavoice in India, offering an exclusive floor stander & subwoofer range. “After a lot of market understanding & keeping technicalities in mind vis-a-vis other available brands in the Indian market, we feel Dynavoice becomes a great addition to our audio portfolio & will be loved by a lot of people who love high dynamics, strong high frequency & tight bass.” said a representative of VINSHEK. “Dynavoice will prove to be an excellent brand for the various audio enthusiast who is looking for a stereo

setup, lifestyle to dedicated cinema surround sound with an edge over other brands.” he continued. “Soon products will be available for auditioning & hoping everybody will love the performance especially ‘Super Audio Tweeters’.”

VINSHEK is a strong partner-oriented company and believes that quality products need quality installs.

The Dynavoice range in various cities in India with experience & qualified audio dealers & system integrators.

URC And Legrand Work Together To Expand Smart Home Control

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URC and Legrand came together and worked handin-hand to provide seamless control of Legrand’s Vantage lighting and climate systems through Total Control, URC’s residential and commercial automation platform. This integration allows events to manage numerous systems and devices using native use cases in Total Control’s Scenes menus.

“While our lighting and climate systems offer homeowners incredible benefits from comfort to helping to boost productivity, how they command and control these systems is just as much part of that experience,” says Charlie Derk, Director of Product Marketing, Shading and Residential Controls, Legrand North America. “We’ve worked with URC for years, and this is a natural expansion of our collaboration that helps our customers achieve the smart home capabilities that they envision”, adds Derk.

Offering a wide range of latest products, Vantage provides accurate automated lighting control, which comes with intuitive and sophisticated interfaces.

Also, URC’s Total Control systems are smart, reliable and easy to install. Combining the power of Vantage’s and URC’s systems and devices, ushers in a new era of smart home technology for the URC dealer community and customers.

The key advantages: •

Seamless & Unified Integration: Users may automate numerous climate zones, as well as other smart categories such as lighting, security, audio, video, and more, using URC’s Unified Modules.

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Energy Efficiency: Assists homeowners in better understanding their energy usage and finding strategies to save money.

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•

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Robust Scenes: Users can launch scenarios that create the ideal setting using skilled programming.

“Good Morning” or “Goodnight” sceneries, for example, modify the climate and lighting devices.

Remote Control and Access: Allows for convenient control on-site, via the URC user interfaces, or via the Total Control app, which allows for multi-room control.

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Voice/Hands-Free Control: URC’s voice commands, which can be accessed via Total Control interfaces, Amazon Alexa, or Google Home, enable for twoway communication and simple homeowner operation.

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Automation Programming Made Simple: Professional programming is simple and quick thanks to URC’s dealer network.

“This collaboration continues our relationship with Legrand and elevates residential and commercial user experiences with true integrated control and automation,” stated Lars Granoe, VP Product at URC.

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A café in the morning.

An office in the afternoon.

A diner in the evening.

smart lighting & shade control system New Delhi | Mumbai | Bengaluru Tel: +91-124 439 1030 Toll-free: 1800 102 0093 Email: lutronindia@lutron.com Website: www.lutron.com/asia

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