Smart Home World Magazine | September 2021

AN EXCLUSIVE MAGAZINE FOR THE SMART HOME INDUSTRY.

SMARTHOME WORLD

VOL 1 • No 5 SEPTEMBER 2021

www.smarthomeworld.in

In conversation with Lorenzo Coppini, CEO of B&C Speakers and founder of Architettura Sonora

INSIDE Featured Interview

Industry story A detailed overview of the Indian and global high-end home theatre industry

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Roberto Rocco

Ar. Sonali Rastogi

Ekinex SpA, Italy speaks on the growth-opportunities for the home/building automation sector in India

Morphogenesis, elaborates on smart homes and how the architecture fraternity is contributing to the growth of smart home industry.

Spotlight Sameer Saxena, speaks on Living Now, Legrand’s latest launch

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Case Studies

SEPTEMBER 2021

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SEPTEMBER 2021

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CONTENTS 20 10

A complete overview of the high-end home theatre industry

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Cover Story

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Spotlight

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Featured Interviews

An exclusive interview with Lorenzo Coppini, CEO of B&C Speakers and founder of Architettura Sonora and Marco Vitti, Sales Director of Architettura Sonora

Insightful articles sharing a glimpse of the current affairs of the smart home industry

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

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Trending Tech

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Case Studies

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Product Gallery

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Industry Story

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A glimpse of the trending technologies for home owners

Detailed illustrations of smart home projects

A display of the latest smart home devices

News Latest updates on the global smart home industry

SEPTEMBER 2021

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FROM THE EDITOR

Movies are an “Emotion”, and a theatre experience is always “Nostalgic”!

COVID-19 has affected businesses of almost all sectors in different ways. For some industries, the pandemic acted as a push factor and helped accelerate their growth graph. Whereas, some got almost washed away. Not only industries, but the pandemic has also SNEHA KANRAR SOM

considerably re-structured the entire living pattern of all, especially the working professionals. This, in a way, has created a lot of opportunities for businesses in certain sectors, like the luxury home theatre/home cinema industry. The compulsion of staying at home made alwaysout-for-work individuals realize the need for automation for the menial daily chores, that cannot be overlooked or avoided while locked in home 24x7. Today, with rising work pressure and increasing disposable income, people have reached a point where they don’t mind spending money if they are getting the comfort and convenience they desire.

Movies are an emotion for Indians. During the lockdown phase, multiplexes and standalone movie theatres were shut all over the country, creating extreme frustration among the movie enthusiasts, who were unable to recline on a push-back ‘lounger’ in front of a big screen and enjoy a movie with hair-raising surround sound. Therefore, people soon started searching for a way to create a multiplex-like ambience at home, to relax after a long baffling day in front of the laptop. This is when people started researching a home theatre system or a smart home cinema setup. Soon, the concept, though it has been there for quite a long time among a certain class, became popular among the urban mass. The rapidly growing popularity and acceptance of home theatres among the new-age tech-savvy population of the country aided the industry notably.

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

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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INDUSTRY STORY

Peeping into the Indian and global high-end home theatre(AV) market!

The wireless Audio-Video streaming technology is promptly boosting the growth of the industry with consumers switching to Bluetooth and Wi-Fi compatible entertainment devices or opting for fully-customizable home cinema setup, with a wireless networking system.

Valued at $ 1,790.9 million in 2018, the Indian home automation industry is expected to reach at $ 13,574.1 million by 2026, flourishing at a CAGR of 29.8% during the forecast period 2019-2026(As per the research conducted

by Allied Market Research). After smart home lighting and security, entertainment is a segment of home automation, people are readily investing in, these days. Today, a home cinema set-up with a home theatre system is steadily getting adopted by a rising number of contemporary homes.

Fundamentally, it is a seamless integration of audio and video electronic components, through a hub, to enhance the moviewatching experience at home. Featuring a surround sound system, home cinemas enable the users to enjoy music and spinetingling sound effects, coming from all around and not just TV. Ideal for movie and 10

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music enthusiasts, these exude crystal clear sound, great bass and offer a theatre-like experience. A home theatre system primarily comprises a display screen, soundbars, surround channels and subwoofers. Surround sound technology like Dolby Atmos and DTS are among the popular choices.

Since the inception of the concept of home cinemas, consumers have been keen on getting a scope for customization. Today, home theatre companies and AV installers/ integrators offer customized home cinema set-ups at premium prices. Also, they provide personalized home theatre packages with a room designing service to augment the overall experience they are offering their clients. Hence, the concept of customised systems is expected to broaden the fortuity of the home theatre industry in the coming decades. “Control4 is a leading automation

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INDUSTRY STORY

number of smart homes, equipped with connected communication devices, can be considered as one of the major drivingfactor for the home theatre industry. In India, Government initiatives like ‘Digital India’ have commendably contributed to the growth of the home theatre and overall home automation industry. With the support gained and demand witnessed, manufacturers are now coming up with products/devices, compatible with the smart home communication devices.

Besides, the necessity of staying home, due to the pandemic, was one of the major pushfactor for the growth of the home theatre

Suman Kumar Lokanath, Sales Manager, Snapone, India.

Alankara Santhana, Director of Sales - India, Middle East and South Asia, Marantz, Sound United.

Image: Snapone, India system for homes and businesses providing a wide range of products to enhance the cinematic experience at home. In the year 2019, it merged with a company named SnapAV and the combined company formed Snap One.Current market for highend cinema setup looks very promising. I find the industry vast and believe there are still tremendous growth opportunities for this sector”, says Suman Kumar Lokanath, Sales Manager, Snapone, India.

Global and Indian Market Scenario: The global home theatre market size was valued at USD 7.7 billion in 2018. The rising

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Image: Marantz, Sound United.

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INDUSTRY STORY

industry in India. “The home theatre market in India is seeing an upward trend for the last 5 years and this trend will continue for at least another 3 to 5 years in India. As cinema theatres are kept closed due to the lockdowns, India’s highest concentration of movie lovers in the world fuelled the local home entertainment industry, with customers upgrading their mid and highend home theatre setups”, says Alankara Santhana, Director of Sales - India, Middle East and South Asia, Marantz, Sound United.

“At Sound United we hold close to 85% of the home theatre market share in terms of home entertainment electronics such as component speakers and multichannel receivers.

This contrasts with a global downwards trend of home theatre markets where next generation networked smart gadgets like all-in-one wireless multiroom speakers, networked mini systems and soundbars are on a rise”, adds Santhana.

India is moving upwards to match up the global standards as the market is open and lucrative, especially post COVID which helped the industry to thrive. “Homes have become castles and people want to spend more time there. To match the standards and quality of lives enjoyed during the pre-pandemic era, everyone wants to set up home theatres in their homes, which earlier was limited mainly to the elite class.

Now, even the HNIs and NRIs prefer to have homes well-equipped with home theatre systems by converting their living rooms to home cinemas”, says Lokanath.

Agreeing to the above line of reasoning, Mr. Muneer Ahmad, Sales & Marketing VP – AV Business, ViewSonic India, says, “Home cinema setup in India is observing a significant growth and since the pandemic, the growth has amplified the industry. The demand for upgrading homes with tech enabled products is increasing”. “We at ViewSonic have been experiencing and foreseeing growth in the home theatre segment. Pandemic has forced many people to set up a theatre-like environment in their cosy homes and watch movies/series rather than going out. Ongoing development and adoption of new approaches have aggressively modified the market. In addition, the demand for lamp-free and 4K projectors has flourished as a result of this new normal”, adds Ahmad.

Till 2018, the home theatre system in a box system (HTIB), including surround sound speakers, Blu-ray/DVD/CD player, amplifier, radio tuner, remote control, and cable accessories, owned the largest share of more than 65.0%. These systems feature

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front speakers, surround speakers, rear speakers, centre speakers and subwoofers.

The increasing popularity of large television screens with HD or 4K resolution and projectors is immensely promoting the concept and benefits of home theatres, among the movie-bugs.

Home Theatre in a Box System Sound Bar Component System Source: www.grandviewresearch.com

Global home theatre market share, by product, 2018 (%) Research says sound bars are the fastest growing segment, expanding at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2019 to 2025. Analysing the global market scenario, research says, due to the soaring demand for high-end audio systems in the U.S and Canada, North America dominated the global market in 2018, accounting for more than 40.0% share of the total revenue. However, the Asia Pacific is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the coming years, eyeing the increasing disposable income and rapid urbanization in the developing countries like China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, and Thailand. These regions display a speedy adoption of innovative technologies like wireless networking, voice control and artificial intelligence.

The audio sector is constantly fuelled by technological advancements like 8K, immersive audio technologies and smart remote management. “Last year, consumers

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INDUSTRY STORY

made huge investments in their home theatres and audio technologies, largely thanks to big advancements in music and video streaming technologies. This includes the recent announcements from Spotify, Apple, and Amazon Music, which are now offering high resolution streaming of a large catalogue of music alongside announcements from a variety of video streaming applications as well offering Blockbuster hits straight-to-home. On the other hand, smart remote management systems have enabled custom installer experts to continue to diagnose and mitigate setup issues remotely providing excellent customer service even during extended lockdowns”, says Joel Sietsema, President, Marantz & Classé Brands. “Our customers crave ease-of-access to their entertainment systems and streaming/connected technologies reduce friction. I believe we’re at the tip of the iceberg as it pertains to smart/ connected audio technologies. What we see at the top of the price pyramid are advanced control systems, inclusive of URC, Control 4, Crestron, and many others) that enable customers to control their home systems to a remarkably high degree. I believe that technology will continue to be democratized and used by companies like us to make all aspects of home audio—whether that’s

Joel Sietsema, President, Marantz & Classé Brands.

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Mr. Muneer Ahmad, Sales & Marketing VP – AV Business, ViewSonic India

music listening, or home theatre—easier to access and use regularly”, adds Sietsema.

In India, demand for high-end AV systems is witnessed majorly in the metropolitan cities.

These are gaining considerable popularity among the millennials of the country, who have a better understanding of the concept and the latest technology used. “The potential buyers for AV systems are still observed high in Tier-1 and Tier 2 cities. Based on the current trends and needs, it is observed that the projectors are gaining momentum in the young and millennial generation along with the business or corporates. The use of projectors has been diversified – people are using them for office purposes as well as consider them in home entertainment.

Depending on the requirements, the projectors are available from an affordable price range to an expensive range. In recent times, it is also observed that with newer technology and features, these projectors are becoming a buying habit for the endusers. Also, it is gaining huge momentum that the construction of new residential apartments has a provision of space to cast a projector”, concedes Ahmad.

Today, projectors are no more confined to corporate or business sectors. With the product reinvention and modifications, consumers are now thrilled to add projectors to their smart home categories. “Features like HDR imaging, colour-based technology, 240 Hz faster refresh rate, better input lag like 4.2ms and inbuilt speakers are enhancing the viewing experience by delivering a multiplex-like experience. Considering these aspects, ViewSonic has been aggressively

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INDUSTRY STORY

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developing innovative and user-friendly products which cater to consumer needs.

In the past one year, we introduced and upgraded our home entertainment projectors by launching our flagship model – X100-4K along with portable projectors such as M1 Mini, M1 Mini +, M2, M1_G2, M1+G2.

Additionally, we also launched PX701-4K, PX748-4K and PX728-4K projectors. We’re introducing and upgrading new features in our projectors that are merged with high-end technologies giving cinema-like experiences at home”, adds Ahmad.

Hurdles Crossed: The AV industry is quite vast and competitive with new players and new technologies entering the market and outdating the old.

Innovation is the only constant. “I believe the major problem lies where people don’t have clarity on who is doing what and whom to rely on. For example, some are assembling the speakers and selling, some are manufacturing them and some are merely importing and selling. However, there is always a good customer base available, especially in India, where the customers believe in quality and if they get the good products, they are ready to upgrade themselves”, says Lokanath.

Another challenge the AV industry is currently facing is fulfilling the supply, due to the strong customer demand during the recent lockdowns. “There is a change in demand for core products, sales of compact home theatre in a box (HTIB) systems have declined and demand for sound bars have

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increased. Sales of distributed audio products like our Denon Home wireless streaming speakers have taken over from conventional CD players. Similarly a migration has been witnessed from the traditional disc-based movie formats to online movie streaming platforms. But as long as we have music and movie lovers, the craze for AV products will always be there”, says Santhana.

Anticipated Growth-Graph: “There are many more technologies to consider when building integrated products.

This includes disparate control systems, from Amazon’s Alexa to Apple’s Siri, and beyond, and also music streaming technologies as well, inclusive of Spotify and all the others.

Secondly, we have the benefit of software at our fingertips to help improve products over time, which is a paradigm shift for the industry” says Sietsema. “We see a growth of 10 % YOY for the next 5 years. The overall revenue would increase but the product offering will change ‘’, adds Santhana.

“The growth graph looks exponential. If we look back at the curve for the last 10 years, there was hardly any curve as such and the graph was very slow and steady and it was not even picking up but now if you see, the industry has picked up the momentum.

And now it looks very promising with this pace and momentum; I think it might grow exponentially at least 50 times in the next 5 years”, concludes Lokanath.

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COVER STORY

In Conversation with Lorenzo Coppini, CEO of B&C Speakers and founder of Architettura Sonora and Marco Vitti, Sales Director of Architettura Sonora

“Unique both indoors and outdoors: making a garden or swimming pool an exclusive environment, is actually a part of our Mission”says Lorenzo Coppini.

Lorenzo Coppini, CEO of B&C Speakers and founder of Architettura Sonora The global High-end Luxury Audio market is constantly evolving, driven by the need to maintain excellent acoustic quality, along with elements more and more integrated with the surrounding environment, both in terms of aesthetics and connectivity with all the other technological systems interacting in the same environment (Video and Lights above all). “This evolution is clearly perceived in India and AS’s offering for this specific market focuses precisely on this aspect”, says Marco Vitti, Sales Director, Architettura Sonora.

“The Indian market is experiencing a phase of great excitement and evolution, an evolution focusing on the customer’s need, laying down the direction to be taken. Today we can describe this direction as the awareness of being able to offer uncompromising excellence”, adds Marco.

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COVER STORY

Marco Vitti, Sales Director, Architettura Sonora.

Speaking about the uniqueness of the brand, Lorenzo Coppini, CEO of B&C Speakers and founder of Architettura Sonora says, “The essence of Architettura Sonora is contained in the search for a combination of acoustic quality and aesthetic beauty. The whole Audio industry follows this principle, but what makes AS different from all the other competitors in this market, is its innovative and simple design at the same time: a Cube, a Sphere or a Cylinder represent basic geometric shapes but that simplicity, combined with the natural luxury finishes (of marble and other stones) and with the impressive acoustic quality is exactly what makes us unique.”

Which cities or zones, in India, witness maximum sale and why? People of which

segment are the primary buyers of high-end home audio systems?

“After discussing that with our official AS distributor SMATO, we’ve agreed that instead of concentrating on activities zone or city wise, we should be partnering with the top interiors and architects of the country and prove to them the aesthetic and the acoustical value of the brand.

India is a big country and the geography is quite varied in terms of culture and lifestyle and thus AS finds a way to fit into any luxury home across the country.

Nevertheless, the need for quality in a captivating design is transversal, therefore we’ve decided to generally turn to all those refined customers, who invest in beauty and functionality uncompromisingly”, answers Marco.

Would you like to run us through the company’s journey and enlivening experiences in the global luxury audio industry till now? What are the SEPTEMBER 2021

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COVER STORY

challenges the company overcame on the way?

“AS has faced many challenges ever since its birth (in 2009).

First of all, creating a company division with its own peculiarities and needs, different from the Parent Company’s (reminding you all that AS is a division of B&C Speakers, the worldwide leader in the design, production, distribution and marketing of professional electro-acoustic transducers since 1946), was a big challenge.

But the real challenge was to design a line of speakers by using natural elements (such as marble, stone, concrete or metals - such as aluminium, brass, steel), and create refined objects that didn’t look like traditional loudspeakers, without compromising on the acoustic performance”, states Lorenzo.

What are the latest innovations in the Home audio segment? What are the major contributions of these innovations to luxuryavid lifestyles of the urban mass?

“As mentioned above, the Audio and Home Design worlds essentially require high connectivity between domestic systems: in fact, an audio system has to communicate with the lighting control system too, with the Home Cinema, etc. and everything must be done through simple operations, the so-called home automation. Clearly, this must be done without losing the acoustic quality, oftforgotten in favour of the Visual quality (which, on the contrary, is more and more defined), even if it should be 22

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considered equally important. The “consumer” segment is increasingly attentive and aware of this combination of connectivity, quality and aesthetics”, explains Marco.

How would you differentiate the Indian and Global markets for aesthetically appealing speakers/audio systems? What, according to you, are the primary reason/reasons behind the dissimilarity?

“There are extreme pragmatic markets such as North America, Germany, Japan, where design, shapes, aesthetics are of secondary importance compared with functionality.

In other markets such as ours - Italy - and many others, the aesthetic appearance is of equal importance with functionality, as the object has to communicate its essence, like a piece of furniture or a painting. I believe that India belongs to the second category: the shape and finish are always at the centre of the attention of the Indian market, given its culture, history and sensitivity”, conveys Marco.

How would you define the growth graph of the industry 5 to 8 years down the line?

“At AS, we usually define our growth, that of our trade sector, as very stimulating in qualitative terms, and significant in more quantitative respects, such as numbers and turnover. We’ve noted that the whole market is in great turmoil, a ferment that cannot ignore the combination of beauty and functionality, which exactly is the essence of AS”, concludes Lorenzo.

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SPOTLIGHT

Design Innovation For Traditional And Connected Systems, With A Touch Of Italian Excellence!

Legrand announces the birth of Living Now in India, a brand which unites the best of research into appearance with the most advanced smart technologies. Living Now is an international brand from Italy , where the development, production & design centre is located. With three new assembly lines and five existing line modifications, all the production and quality control systems are intelligent and interconnected with data processing management systems, in an Industry 4.0 context.

During the process of assembly, the machine checks all the produced pieces directly. Robots are used for particularly complex movements and markings, while the symbols are checked with computer vision systems. The semi-worked products then travel on carriages, which the machines can recognise.

Design has always played a key role for Legrand. If we look back, we can clearly see that our products

have been extremely timely in terms of design trends. Technology, style, and lifestyle - three powerful words that describe the values behind every Legrand design. Living Now is a great example how these words come together. The cutting-edge technology that is behind the smart solution of this connected offer, combined with a sophisticated and minimalistic form and pleasing interaction (both physical and digital) create emotion. Our job is to interpret modern lifestyle and user needs and transform them into solutions that help in everyday life. For our products we look at the trends in architecture, since our products are an integral part of the building infrastructure and can not be separated from it. Another area that we take inspiration from is interior design - the colour and material trends have great influence on the choice of finishings that we propose for our products. Today, for example we can see that interiors are getting warmer tones… wall colours are turning to be off-white from cream to beige to light greys… To contrast this trend, also rich dark tones are seen more often than before. Warm woods and sophisticated metals add a sophisticated touch.

In terms of daily objects and technology, we have been inspired by flat surfaces and minimalistic lines where the interaction becomes the protagonist rather than the object itself.

“The Living Now design is characterised by its extreme design-purity and precision of its geometries. It is a distinctive shape with absolute planarity of surface and a perfect alignment between the various components of the light point. The Living Now showcases the evolution of appearance, functionality and technology”, - illustrates Sameer Saxena, Member of Board and Director - Strategy Marketing at Legrand (India).

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SPOTLIGHT

Full-Touch Controls of the switches The design has been transformed into an interface that opens up to user experience. Interaction with it is immediate and it is also pleasant to touch, due to the line and the materials chosen. The patented “full-touch” controls completely revolutionise the key ergonomics. It can be operated by precisely touching any of its parts at the centre, top or bottom. Once the key has been pressed, it returns to its position, while always remaining perfectly aligned.

Look-And-Feel Also, the device features a cover, which is available in three different colours, white, sand and black, to fit in different styles of living. The surface is satin that offers the feeling of an ostentatious touch.

Living Now is an outcome of 100,000 hours of

development and 15,000 hours of prototyping. To reach the desired results, 180 new moulds were made and 125 inspection tests were perfected in electromagnetically-isolated Faraday cages.

After thorough research and a perfect amalgamation of design and industrial process, the range of Living Now covers plates is launched in 16 finishes, carefully chosen to go with the device covers and made from various materials like advanced polymer, metal and wood. The advanced polymer gives the object lightness due to the alternation of shiny and opaque parts. The metal enhances the material in its primitive state. The two wood finishes, oak and walnut, give a natural effect. Designed to always adhere to the wall, even when the wall surface is irregular, Living Now has a floating frame that can move freely to all 4 corners, making sure that it is always attached to the body in a simple and optimum way.

Taking advantage of our excellence in moulding, plastic raw materials, deriving from the motor industry, were used in the supports and the functional parts.

Their thermo-mechanical performance is similar to that of light alloys. For the aesthetic parts, new polycarbonate alloys have been introduced. These alloys guarantee an opaque appearance and colour stability over time, as well as high resistance to abrasion. A paint that enhances the metal part, has been selected to paint the Zamak alloy side plates.

A Harmonious Union Of Smart And Traditional Living Now has been designed to fit into any home. The new series can be used in traditional systems with all the control functions available. In SEPTEMBER 2021

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SPOTLIGHT

smart connected systems, it is able to show its full potential.

To make a smart system using Living Now, one just has to install intelligent devices, designed to dialogue together and connect via radio to the Gateway, which is considered as the heart of the system. This is what makes the connection with zigbee possible, in the case of the traditional system.

Smart Functions And Controls For the moment, the new series concentrates on the management of the three main functions of the electric system: lights, rolling shutters and energy.

It can interact with them in three different ways: via the traditional controls, via a smartphone and, via voice controls. With the help of the in/out and night/day scenario controls, several functions can be associated, and the system can be customised as per requirements. For example, the out scenario allows one to switch the lights off and lower the rolling shutters with one simple click. The range of smart products is completed with really useful wireless controls, which allow one to add a light or rolling shutter control point, without masonry work. Living Now offers a thermostat in MyHomeup protocol series , perfectly integrated with the series design, to set the temperature according to your preferences at any time with manual controls or remotely via smart phone with the help of connected Chronothermostat.

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THE HOME+CONTROL APP: All the connected functions can be managed with the dedicated Home+Control app, available for both Android and iOS. Using a smartphone, one can raise the rolling shutter, check power consumption or configure various scenarios. Push notifications warn about faults and overloads, avoiding any blackouts.

VOICE CONTROL: Voice controls are particularly useful for the handsfree management of lights, controlled sockets, curtains and, through the scenarios, for playing music and for setting the ideal temperature. Voice control is possible not only via smartphone but also with the help of most popular virtual assistants like Apple SIRI and Google Assistant. Also, voice control is possible through smart speakers such as Apple Homekit and Google Home. Certification has already been obtained for all the associations. The system’s operability will allow Living Now to adapt to new technologies and open up new scenarios.

IN-BUILT ALEXA: Living Now also launches a unique product with In-built Alexa, you can now activate the home automation functions with your voice directly- No need for an additional device to control your light system with our unique MyHomeUp protocol series.

SPOTLIGHT

Southeast Asia’s First All-In-One Smart Home, Smart Community, And Smart Estate Platform.

HiLife Interactive is a Singapore-based smart living company offering smart solutions to properties across southeast Asia. The first allin-one lifestyle platform that integrates Smart Home, Smart Community, and Smart Estate.

Their vision is to create smart homes and communities through technology. Residents can control all of their smart home devices, access property facilities, and connect with the community via the hiLife mobile app.

“India is an exciting space to be in, with more consumers realising the potential of smart products to enhance their quality of life. With our experience building smart lifestyles in Singapore and other Southeast Asian markets, we hope to bring our smart home ecosystem that extends beyond the individual home to the market. We look forward to working with real estate developers here to integrate technology in the home, estate and community, to bring greater safety, comfort and convenience to residents,” - said Mr Sam Ho, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, HiLife Interactive Pte Ltd.

A smart solution, HiLife, is an all-in-one lifestyle platform that integrates Smart Home, Smart Community, and Smart Estate.

Smart Home

Smart Estate

Smart Community

Homeowners can control their smart home devices through the app. They can remotely unlock digital locks, control their air-conditioning and lighting all at the touch of a finger.

The hiLife 360° Smart Access system features robust visitor management and vehicle management capabilities supported by license plate recognition technology, enhancing convenience and security.

With hiLife, homeowners can easily engage with one another.

They are able to buy and sell items, join interest groups, organize yoga classes, and even engage services directly from merchants within the app.

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SPOTLIGHT

Women in Lighting AR. SURBHI JINDAL (WOMEN IN LIGHTING INDIA AMBASSADOR) Project supported by individual women in 72 different Countries

The Women in lighting is an international network and an inspirational platform that celebrates the professional women working in the field of lighting globally, curated by London based Light Collective Studio - Sharon Stammers & Martin Lupton supported by Forma Lighting, an Architectural lighting company and designer Katia Kolovea of Archifos.

Launched in March 2019, the main aim of this project is to interview and create a platform for the promotion of women working in the lighting industry so that their stories are heard and their profiles are raised. Hence, making it to be an expanding archive telling the stories of Women working in this industry from around the world to promote their passion and achievements, narrate their career path and goals, celebrate their work and therefore elevate their profile, further encourage, support and inspire the next generation. The project is supported by individual female lighting designers in 72 different countries, as ambassadors of these countries.

“We spoke to Surbhi Jindal, Founder & CEO of Mumbai based DaLightHub, India, who was appointed as WIL India Ambassador in April 2021 and now spearheads India Chapter and activities”

How did the project come alive and what’s the story behind it?

In 2018, the owners of the project made a film called The Perfect Light which featured interviews with lighting designers. After showing it in New York, they were asked by some female audience members why they had not included many women in the film. Shocked by the observation as it had never occurred to them and that they had not approached this with balance and had mainly interviewed men. This inspired them to come up with the idea for the Women in Lighting project.

They looked at all the conferences, award juries, magazine panels, etc. that they could think of and discovered that this lack of gender balance was very common. Hence, they decided to redress that imbalance and the project is the result of it.

The project is open to all women working in lighting, covering all fields such as architecture, art, entertainment, manufacturing, education, research and journalism WOMEN IN LIGHTING is not only about gender equity. It’s also about inclusivity and how this is beneficial to an industry as a whole. This Project is committed to extend its membership to all femaleidentified members of the lighting community (www. womeninlighting.com)

Can you tell us a little about Women in lighting (WIL) India?

The Women In Lighting India chapter aligned with the goals of the International project has made a strong impact in the lighting industry in India. What we are

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SPOTLIGHT

trying to do is create a strong, welcoming and open network with new ways of collaborative working, leadership and our initiatives. We have successfully grown to 53 members now, as we speak out of which

Workshops, Get-Togethers and Visuals, we shall be having 2 dedicated women in lighting corners – one in Bengaluru at Studioplus Experience Centre, which will be a permanent WIL Corner and the other one in Mumbai at BEPS, both supported

by Forma Lighting.

32 members are part of our five Segment Core Team comprising 25 women and 7 WIL male supporters (see picture of the core team on the next page).

Any message for WIL India?

The team constitutes lighting designers, lighting manufacturers and researchers from all across the Country and they work closely to curate and implement various initiatives conceptualised collectively by WIL India

My special thanks to each and every Segment Core Team Member and my colleagues who have been working tirelessly with me for the development of this project in India, since the last 5 months now and for their constant support.

“It’s just incredible to see immense support extended from so many women designers and the number of women who have actually come forward to contribute to this initiative as well as grow the community in all possible ways during the pandemic time”, quotes Surbhi.

Does Women in lighting (WIL) India have specific plans for the Women in Indian lighting industry?

Women in lighting have somehow broken the glass ceiling in many parts of the Country, by creating their own destiny, starting their own firms and being recognised for their achievements.

It’s important to actually celebrate the achievements and promote their profiles on a structured global platform like WOMEN IN LIGHTING .

“The Power of Stories”, our new initiative is focused to interview professionals in this field and make their stories heard as well as profiles raised in the global community.

Eventually, these stories and interviews shall be published as a paperback portfolio, a coffee table book dedicated to WIL India.

Another interesting initiative that WIL India aims at, is to feature young lighting designers of the Country in the upcoming editions of the renowned London based Arc magazine, who are either beginning their careers with a manufacturing, a design studio or have their own design firms, inspiring and motivating these budding designers.

Going ahead, for any offline future activities like Live Interviews, Inspirational

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INTERVIEW

In Conversation with Roberto Rocco, Ekinex SpA, Italy On growth-opportunities for the home/building automation sector in India The smart home market has been witnessing massive growth worldwide as homeowners now spend time in homes, more than ever. “In such a scenario, we play a major role in enabling the homeowners to control lighting and climate, which has now become quite common in most houses.

As India is a versatile and important market, we are focusing on it with a dedicated team. This tremendously aided our business in India. We aim to continue monitoring and introducing products, specially curated for the Indian market”, conveys Roberto Rocco, Business, Ekinex SpA, Italy.

The last few years have seen the definitive affirmation of voice assistants integrated into the home speakers, offered by some large international companies. Voice assistants are rapidly turning into a more pervasive tool with impacts on numerous activities of daily life. Allowing one to call up a music track, listen to the weather forecast and a lot more, these are slightly more than mere gadgets. Today, these devices come with an easy and intuitive control interface for the entire smart home, allowing maximum instant control. One has to simply pronounce the action needed to be executed and sit back, the order will be followed instantly.

“We believe that this concept cannot be called just a current trend, as our latest developments natively included the possibility of voice control of the KNX system. One example is Delégo, our supervision and control software, which in combination with the Ekinex cloud service allows interaction with the home automation system through voice commands given to Amazon and Google smart speakers ”, adds Roberto.

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INTERVIEW

How has the pandemic affected the industry? What are the smart home trends, in India and all over the world, you have witnessed getting viral since the pandemic hit the world?

This pandemic had slowed our growth, but we effectively reacted to this challenge and worked out a new protocol for inventory. In fact, we were able to push some new product-focus on Dali, voice control, sockets etc.

What are the exclusive features of your latest launch; the EK-BW1-TP Voice Control Interface? How would you describe its uniqueness and worth in a contemporary house of this tech-savvy era?

With the EK-BW1-TP interface, which can be easily installed in a DIN-rail control panel, it is possible to integrate an existing KNX home automation system with voice controllers from Google (Google Assistant) and Amazon (Alexa). In this way, owners of KNX-based systems can use their home speaker to control all the functions of their home: lighting (on/off, dimmed and RGB), motors (open/close stop and position) and climate.

association with KNX? KNX offers both the reliability of a wellestablished system, which has been a market player for more than twenty years and the dynamism of a rapidly developing system. Due to the participation of manufacturers from different sectors and the constant expansion of the product ranges, functions and solutions.

“Appropriate home lighting immensely contributes to the emotional and biological betterment of the dwellers”!

Please share your opinion on the importance of Human Centric Lighting?

HCL controls help to keep in sync with the internal clock of people, who spend a lot of time indoors with little or no natural light and harmonize best with the natural sequence of hormone production in the human body. For

The addition of the Ekinex voice control gateway to a KNX system is quite fast and intuitive. The installer can use the web interface to directly import the knxproj project and proceed directly to the association of the KNX group addresses with the compatible object categories. Through Google Home apps or Alexa commands on Amazon Echo and compatible products, it is possible to create scenes and automation, skills or routines useful to simplify daily habits.

How would you describe the importance of a universal standard like KNX in the Home and Building automation industry?

Would you like to elaborate on Ekinex’s SEPTEMBER 2021

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INTERVIEW

example, Cortisol in the morning helps to activate and Melatonin in the evening helps to relax. It is a process that has been triggered by the habit of living outdoors under natural light, for ages.

The lighting control devices developed by Ekinex aim to contribute to the visual comfort in homes or offices and approach the effects of natural light in indoor environments, as closely as possible, while integrating it with artificial light of appropriate intensity and colour, as per the requirement.

How complex is the workflow of a lighting control system? What role does it play in energy conservation?

A satisfactory result requires the teamwork of various professionals: architect (analysis of the client’s needs, choice of fixture design and definition of the general lighting project for interiors and exteriors), lighting designer ( planning of light sources, direct/indirect and natural/artificial light components, lighting effects and scenarios), home/building automation specialist (translation of the architect’s and lighting designer’s indications into the programming of controls and scenarios), electrical system designer, suppliers involved (lighting fixtures, home automation controls).

Today, the energy impact of lighting is less relevant compared to the past. This is because the LED sources have drastically reduced the energy consumption while producing the same luminous flux as incandescent or halogen (in homes it counts for 5-8% of total energy consumption; it remains 32

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important in medium and large buildings such as tertiary offices and commercial). With LEDs, efficiency has increased enormously (incandescent lamps transformed only 10% of energy into light, 90% was dissipated in heat).

What, according to you, is the ideal way to maintain a harmonious and benevolent synergy between Architects/Interior Designers and home/building automation Companies?

Ekinex supports the idea of a design that is not merely an aesthetic exercise but includes fundamental elements, ease-of-use, immediate understanding of the function, a balanced and intelligent application of technology.

We pose as a meeting point of architects and system integrators, spreading our belief: “design becomes the driving force for technology, the key to open our homes to the world of smart home”.

What are the company’s expansion plans for the Indian market?

At the moment, the main purpose of Ekinex India is to develop a network of partners with the same working style and objectives. We are actively working to make ourselves more visible, gain the trust of the community and become one of the major players of this flourishing market.

INTERVIEW

“We will soon be witnessing more evolved systems and updated technologies, designed to achieve a better energy management” The use of technology in smart homes can be truly beneficial when used to reduce the energy consumption of a building or a space. There are multiple ways of cutting power consumption. Through remote/ sensor operated lighting, smart airconditioning, energy efficiency monitoring etc., energy consumption can be reduced substantially. “Today, even security systems can be used not just for intrusion alarms but also for detecting internal (and/or external) hazards of fire /smoke and gas leakages.

Another aspect of smart homes is that it offers ultimate convenience to the client with lighting, AV, security etc. integrated into a single system”, says Anika Mittal Dhawan, Founder & Director, Mold Design Studio, New Delhi.

- says Anika Mittal Dhawan, Mold Design Studio.

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INTERVIEW Why do you think the concept of smart homes is gaining rapid popularity these days?

Smart homes are gaining popularity as they help to make spaces more convenient and comfortable with modern amenities, secure and energy-efficient technologies that are accessible through mobile devices like the smartphone/ tablet/ laptops. Smart home technology is becoming more and more affordable these days. Also, the easy availability of internet connection at affordable rates immensely contributes to the growing popularity of smart homes.

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

The primary consumer groups for smart homes are the tech-savvy audience and the younger generation, which is more comfortable with technology and capable of making ideal use of it. Besides, even the older generation is ready to adopt smart technology for the sake of convenience.

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

The must-have products today are advanced security features like door locking systems, video door phones and cameras for smart surveillance. Even lighting controls help in energy saving and also add to the luxe element of any space.

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

System integrators play an essential role and involving them at an early stage can bring in technological expertise in hardware, software, networking, integration of different individual controls, cloud solutions, security and issues related to execution.

This also helps in creating an end-to-end solution for the customer.

Devices of which category (lighting, security, entertainment etc.) witness maximum demand among the smart home enthusiasts?

Why? Currently, in India, home security systems, lighting for energy efficiency, scene-setting & dimming, AC controls, curtains/blinds and audio-visual related home automation systems witness maximum demand, as this help to make the house user-friendly and help in creating a safe and energy-efficient environment.

How would you define the current demand for smart home integrations?

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The demand for smart home integration is growing more and more. The concept of smart homes could mean different things for different owners. In smaller formats, you can see people are already using smaller devices/ products like smart speakers or smart lights or Alexa or google Wi-Fi devices. The remote working culture has definitely been a factor for increased understanding and demand.

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?

COVID-19 has really expedited the use of smart technology in the hospitality sector. Initially, smart technology was about luxury but now it has become a necessity. The pandemic has created a need for contactless surfaces. Smart integrations are highly prioritized these days because of the use of presencebased detection systems.

Due to COVID-19, automation in the office will play an important role by integrating efficiency with minimum surface contact. Also, the latest products like Bio-dynamic lighting (artificial lights adjusts to replicate the daylight) contributes to the well-being of the employees, eventually resulting in better productivity.

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

Smart homes make the lives of the dwellers more convenient and efficient. Everything, ranging from lighting, air-conditioning, security system, curtains/ AV to mere gadgets, can be integrated into a single app. This helps one to keep a check on the devices and receive alerts.

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

Since everything is integrated and saved on a centralized cloud, the challenge is to deal with issues of cyber threats and data privacy. However, these issues can be easily taken care of.

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

The smart home industry will only keep growing, getting bigger and better.

INTERVIEW

In Conversation With Ar. Sonali Rastogi, MD, Morphogenesis “Though each individual’s preferences may vary in terms of how they envision their smart home, the architectural industry is well-equipped to provide bespoke smart solutions to home buyers, tailored to their specific needs”- states Ar. Sonali Rastogi.

With the rise of a tech-savvy generation, there’s an increased awareness about the possibilities within smart homes and therefore, most users want all the categories to be integrated within their abodes.

“Although, as stated above, there’s a strong focus on security mechanisms since, postpandemic, users spend a considerable amount of time inside their homes. A robust and integrated safety system in place, with sensors, alarms, and cameras, ensures mental wellbeing and provides a sense of comfort”, says Sonali Rastogi, MD, Morphogenesis.

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INTERVIEW

The concept of a smart home revolves around the idea of creating an energyefficient, sustainable and secure environment that is focused on the user’s comfort. The end goal is to improve the quality of life and provide an enriching experience through the use of technology, smart gadgets, and automation. “With the burgeoning middle class in India, and the parallel rise in socio-economic statuses, smart homes have become an aspirational symbol. Furthermore, with the constantly evolving technology and consequent reduction in prices, such homes have become relatively more accessible than they were a decade ago.

There is an awareness within the millennial generation that smart homes allow for significant cost-cutting in the long run and can be customized according to their budget. Even in terms of sustainability, these homes are equipped to significantly cut down electricity consumption through intelligent systems, while also providing devices for energy production through renewable sources. Therefore, smart homes also prove to be a greener option”, she adds.

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

The market for smart homes is growing at a significant pace. According to estimates, there’s going to be 30% growth—each year— in the smart home segment. Over a decade ago, the affordability was only limited to the high-income group. Although over the last few years as the market has moved towards more sustainable options and the spending capacity of the average Indian home buyer has risen, the niche smart home-buying population has expanded exponentially.

The new tech-savvy generation, including millennials, has provided the necessary thrust in demand for such energy-efficient homes. Even retirees who tend to build new homes are opting for smart solutions, as technology often proves to be old-age friendly. Within Indian nuclear families, the concept of stay-at-home mothers or homemakers is on the decline and therefore, working couples are opting for secure smart homes.

Furthermore, these technology-driven homes are also gaining popularity within allied industries, like technology providers and property developers, as they sense a

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tremendous opportunity for growth within this field.

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

In the post-pandemic scenario, the smart home industry can offer secure, comfortable, and energy-efficient living spaces. As an increasing number of families had to spend time at home, due to the work-from-home restrictions, there’s an emphasis on smart lighting solutions, thermostats, voice-enabled appliances and other energy-saving automation. Safety and security have also emerged as one of the key areas within smart homes.

Biometric/touch-free locking mechanisms, CCTV cameras and face recognition screens have become a necessity today. Even in terms of spatial planning, the demand for reconfigurable furniture, multi-use spaces and flexible mood lighting has risen.

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

System integrators play a crucial role in customizing the home environment to match the client’s lifestyle requirements. To have a seamless smart home experience, across the various smart devices and appliances, we need to establish complete integration. The automated devices and software need to function in tandem and this can be achieved through a good system integrator. Within smart homes, we usually integrate sensors and smart devices to recognize behavioural patterns and monitor the habits of the end-users.

Thereafter, through machine learning, the integrated system can provide an economic model for smart home inhabitants.

What according to you are the major benefits of smart & connected homes in the current “tech-savvyera?”

As smart homes allow you to manage all your home devices from one place, the convenience factor stands out as one of the major benefits. Most devices today can

INTERVIEW

be controlled through applications on your smartphone irrespective of your location, which affords a great amount of flexibility to the user. One can monitor activities in real-time, turn devices on or off, adjust the light intensity, precisely control heating and cooling, and therefore, optimize the system to save a considerable amount of energy. Moreover, intelligent systems provide you with analysis and feedback on your behaviours, habits and consumption patterns. This allows smart home users to rectify and improve upon any unhealthy lifestyle habits that they may have, while the smart systems continue to evaluate and adjust in order to provide a pleasant experience.

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?

It’d be difficult to point out a single sector since technological advancements have been happening across all sectors, whether it be residential, hospitality or corporate offices.

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

There’s no denying that smart homes can considerably improve the quality of life.

With the onset of the pandemic in India, most of the workforce adopted a workfrom-home (WFH) model. This gave rise to the demand for smart spatial planning, which is an integral aspect of smart homes. Multi-purpose spaces that feature reconfigurable furniture became the need of the hour. Today, working professionals need workstations that can also double-up as leisurely sofas, along with accompanying technological features like mood lighting which can turn around the look-and-feel of the interior within seconds. Moreover, as professionals have been working from home over the past year, they require a set-up that saves time and minimizes disturbances. Therefore, a fully integrated

smart home allows users to remotely control all aspects within the house, from the comfort of their chairs. Smart home products are also known to save time, cost, and effort, thus ensuring a more productive and healthier environment. Hence, it won’t be an exaggeration to state that smart homes help cultivate a better tomorrow.

Do you see any challenging factor (economic, social, environmental etc.) that has the strong potentiality to restrain the smart home industry?

What, according to you, are the possible solutions?

The main challenge that smart systems face today is that of cybercrime. Since most smart devices need internet access, they are prone to cyber-attacks and are also vulnerable to fluctuations in internet security. Most users provide privileged information on their apps for ease of access, which is also a threat in case the apps are compromised. The positive aspect is that the smart home industry is parallely working on security solutions that are constantly evolving and have the ability to provide a robust security cover for smart homes.

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

The smart home industry is expected to grow at a fast pace in the next half of the decade. Through advancements in technology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and system integration, smart homes will continue to become more affordable. Moreover, as the newer generations become aware of the costsaving benefits and urgent climate change issues, they’ll start opting for a healthier lifestyle. Therefore, the surge in demand for smart homes is going to grow exponentially.

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TRENDING TECH

Trending Tech for the New Homeowner

Moving into one’s dream home is a marvelous feeling. For tech lovers, a smart connected home is the next stage in the evolution of how we interact with our homes. One doesn’t have to be a tech wizard to turn a dwelling into a smart home.

Smart homes offer convenience and assistance with security, comfort, and convenience in all aspects of home life. With automation technology, owners can orchestrate various functions with ease, such as pre-cooling their home, before returning from work on a hot summer’s day, or transforming the living room into a home theatre

Wozart Smart Plug The Wozart Smart Plug is a plug & play device that instantly turns any appliance into a Smart device.

The Smart Plug lets users control their connected devices from anywhere.

The Wozart Smart Plug lets owners effortlessly set up timers that put appliances on autopilot, turning them on and off as per schedule. Save energy without having to run around the house every night to switch off all the power points.

Specifications • Model : WSP01 • Dimensions in mm(Lx W x H ) : 76.5 x 50 x 69 • Number of controls : One • Max. Power rating: 1 * 20 A • Connectivity: Wi-Fi , 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz • Power supply : 110-230 V AC 38

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with a single click, possibilities are endless. Smart home technology is now affordable and easy to install, than ever before. With wireless and retrofittable automation solutions, homeowners can turn ordinary fittings into smart connected gadgets, without any changes in the wiring.

Following are a mixed bag of products to consider while moving into a new home, designed to make everyday lives simpler, safer, and more convenient. Enjoy every minute in your dream home with smart home technology!

TRENDING TECH

PHILIPS HUE - LightStrip Plus India Adding a LightStrip Plus to a home can create an immersive lighting experience. It can be used under bars, cabinets, and behind home entertainment systems, the LightStrip Plus provides users with flexible illumination to cut, extend and bend to any part of their homes.

Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus is the most versatile and robust light source that will bring your room to life.

Light Strip Plus is extendible up to 10 meters by adding 1-meter extensions, for covering larger surfaces and enabling wider applications. With a high output of 1600 lumen and light coverage, this strip light gives the customer full-colour consistency, down to the last extension. This product requires a connection to the Philips Hue bridge and one can play with light while choosing from 16 million colours and scenes effortlessly.

Specifications • Material: silicone • Environmental Operational humidity: <H<95% (non condensing) • Operational temperature: -20°C to 45°C • Extra feature/accessory incl.

• Colour changing (LED): Yes • Dimmable: Yes • LED integrated: Yes • Universal Plug: Yes • Guarantee:2 years

• • • • • • • • • • •

Lightstrip Colour temperature :2000-6500 K Cut ability: Yes Extendibility :Yes Input Voltage:100V-240V Fixture: 1600 Including extensions: 1600 Wattage:20 W Height 0.5 cm Length 200 cm Net weight 0.337 kg Width 1.5 cm

5%

Smart Motor Controller for Curtains By WOZART Wouldn’t it be nice to wake up to natural light as the bedroom blinds open gently and quietly in the morning, letting warm and gentle sunlight in?

With Smart curtain controls, users can program any curtains or blinds to open and close when they desire, and enjoy morning light coming through the windows.

With smart curtains, owners can also adjust the amount of daylight entering homes or easily close curtains for movie night and ensure privacy without getting up from their seats. One can even use Voice Assistants such as Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, and Google Assistant to control the blinds and curtains.

Specifications • Model : WMC01 • Dimensions in mm(Lx W x H ) : 47 x 47 x 21 • Power supply : 110-240 V AC ~ 50/60 HZ • Compatible load types : 4 or 5 wire Singlephase AC Motors • Connectivity : Wi-Fi , 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz • Rated load current: 5A for motors with compensated power factor SEPTEMBER 2021

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TRENDING TECH

Mi Home Security Camera 360°1080p

The Mi Home security camera offers users many benefits and complete peace of mind is one of them. Security cameras are essential in our modern lives, whether checking in on property or keeping an eye on older children and elderly loved ones.

Specifications • All-round protection in Full High-Definition video • 1080p FHD|360° Vision | Infrared | Night Vision| AI motion detection|

Smart LED Orchestrator The Led orchestrator by Wozart, breathes life into any home décor. With Smart Lighting, users can adjust the brightness and colours of lights, choose from millions of possibilities to set the lighting just right, for every occasion. With adaptive lighting, owners can mimic the natural sunlight outside, meaning have softer, yellowish tones in the morning to ease into the day or switch to cooler light temperatures that energize and keep the mind focused. The lights return to soft warmer tones to aid in relaxation at the day’s end.

Specifications • Model : WLE01 • Dimensions in mm(Lx W x H ) : 47 * 47 * 21 • Compatible loads : LED Lights & strips • Colour : 16 Million RGB combinations or

Tunable White from 2200K to 6500K • Connectivity: Wi-Fi , 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz • Power supply : 12-36 V DC 40

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• Talkback feature||Inverted installation • Product dimensions (LxBxH)78 x 78 x 118mm • Product weight239g • Input Power5V1A • Camera Angle110° • Resolution1080p • Focal length3.9mm • Working temperature-100C ~ 500C • Connectivity Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11 b/g/n 2.4 GHz • Storage MicroSD card (support 16GB -64GB, Class 10 and above storage card) • Support Devices Android 4.4 above or IOS 9.0 above

TRENDING TECH

Eco+ Smart Thermostat with voice control.

This smart thermostat has voice control and a smart sensor, users can truly experience enhanced comfort, increased savings, and advanced controls.

The Eco+ has many benefits, listed below are a few: • Save 26%* on annual energy costs • Included Smart Sensor extends comfort to the home’s most important rooms.

• It has Alexa Built-in for calls, music, and added voice control • ENERGY STAR® certified • Its occupancy detection manages temperature automatically.

• Control straight from the app or the smart home assistant.

• Ecobee thermostats are compatible with most HVAC systems.

Specifications • Item Weight : 1.85 pounds • Product Dimensions : 4.29 x 4.29 x 1 (inches) • Batteries Included: Yes • Battery Cell Type : Lithium-Ion

Smart Switch Controllers Wozart’s Switch Controllers are retrofit devices that can be installed behind the existing switchboards, making any ordinary appliances or lights, Smart.

Investing in Switch Controller means that consumers need not worry about forgetting to turn off a light. Simply reach for a phone, tablet or use a simple voice command to control every appliance in the home. Consumers can also schedule their devices, group multiple appliances into scenes, and remotely control their home from anywhere in the world. The Switch Controllers come in three form factors, Switch Controller, Switch Controller Mini and Switch Controller Pro. The Switch Controller Pro technical specifications are listed below.

Specifications • Model :WSCP01 • Dimensions in mm : 85 x 58.5 x 21 • No. of controls : Four Controls

L1 & L2 : on/off

L3: Fan with 4-step speed control

L4 : Smooth Intensity control

for Dimmable LEDs • Maximum Power rating : 2 * 150 W, Fan up to 150 W and LED Lights up to 100 W • Connectivity : Wi-Fi , 802.11 b/g/n 2.4GHz • Power supply: 110-230 V AC SEPTEMBER 2021

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CASE STUDY

A walk through the fullyautomated three-bedroom opulent duplex apartment

“Only a good home automation plan will ensure you a smart home, that will not unfold any expenserelated surprises and disrupt your budget plan!”

- says Interior Designers Hardesh & Monica Chawla, Essentia Environments

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CASE STUDY

Spread across a 7,800 sq. ft. area, the three-bedroom duplex apartment features all modern amenities.

Client’s Vision:

“We were in charge of designing the entire interiors to evoke a refined and luxurious vibe”, says Interior Designers Hardesh and Monica Chawla, Founders, Essentia Environments.

“From the flooring, wall panels, furnishing the home with custom-designed furniture, lights, accessories and artworks, to lending the final touches, we took care of every minute detail related to the interiors. Apart from designing the interiors, we also incorporated smart home solutions to introduce true luxury. We installed smart security system, lighting control, airconditioner control, automatic control of entertainment and music systems, motorised blinds and drapes, and more”, they add.

The Scope of Work:

Initially, the client only wanted the most common applications of home automation like lighting control, HVAC, and security systems.

After consultation with the client, Essentia offered him complete home management insights – remote control of home functions, maximising home security, flexibility for new devices and appliances. In a nutshell, management of all home devices was offered from one place, making it seamless and hassle-free.

It also gives an option of adding new appliances into the smart management system in the future.

Automations Integrated The project is fitted with a range of smart home solutions that seamlessly take care of security, control of lighting, home theatre systems, entertainment scene, curtain and drapes, etc. Here, a

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CASE STUDY

security system, HVAC, Smart Lighting and Multi-Room Audio have been installed to offer the dwellers ultimate comfort and convenience.

Brands like Aventia and WBS Automation are used in the project.

The total cost went up to INR 12-13 lakhs approximately.

Project planning phase and execution.

The future of robotics in interior design will inevitably impact how furniture is used and adapted, given how our increasing habitation of smaller spaces in cities calls for creative approaches to interior flexibility. Everything from lighting, music, video, climate control, security, etc., can be incorporated into one easy-to-use system.

A building floor plan was created with all the wiring and smart devices marked. The right technology, that will communicate with and connect all smart devices in one place, was picked up to ensure seamless 44

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CASE STUDY

integration and unparalleled user experience.

Client’s Feedback The client was overwhelmed with the seamlessly integrated home that offers so many smart solutions and is easy to use.

Final Takeaway Careful planning and integration of the wiring at the floor plan level with detailed drawings helped to incorporate the nitty-gritty into the design of a home. Also, it helped to understand the systems well before installing them. Heating unit not responding? Security cameras not connecting?

Entertainment units dropping out? The issue could be that your sub-systems are not integrating as they should. These are some of the major learnings from the project.

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CASE STUDY

The Majesty Of History Meets The Magic Of Technology.

Restoration Architects: Ar. Ritu & Ar. Sandeep Khandelwal from STHAPATYA architects.

Lighting Design & Automation by : Vinayak Diwan, Founder & Director of Lightbook

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CASE STUDY

Perched on top of a granite hillock amid a vast expanse of the Aravalli Range, surrounded by hills dotted with havelis, villages and temples, Alila Fort Bishangarh is a heritage hotel in Jaipur. legendary for its adaptive re-function of a 230-year-old warrior fort into one of India’s unique heritage hospitality properties.

Sustainable design was the core commitment of the revamp project. Design ideas of the past were encapsulated in a way that served today’s needs best. The ruins and local traditional materials were used in a modern adaptation, to make it accessible to the present generation, while connecting them to their roots.

Of the 100,000 sq. ft area of the fort, only 30,000 sq. ft is covered in marble, while the rest is finished in local sandstone. The design concept embraces elements of Jaipur Gharana architecture, featuring Rajput and Mughal influences. All windows, entrance portals, arches, columns, railings, jaali screens (latticed window patterns), turrets and walls were adaptation of traditional art and architecture walls have been finished not with paint but with modern adaptations of the traditional surkhi (stone dust) and araish, the dying Rajasthani plastering art that results in glistening surfaces.

The design direction is marked by clean and uncluttered interiors judiciously woven with Rajasthani elements – Jharokha-style windows, stone Jaali work, brass embossed panels, Tarkashi (the craft of brass wire designs inlaid in wood), hand block printed fabric, old-style Vinayak Diwan, Founder & Director of Lightbook SEPTEMBER 2021

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CASE STUDY

doors and wall frescoes with Thikri mirror work. Local marble, granite, carpets, fabrics, artefacts, lighting and furniture all contribute to authenticate its adaptive reconstruction. This fortress has a grand majesty, preserved in a unique marriage of history and modernity.

work and intervention to the architecture.

Heritage lighting projects are exceptional and require creative illumination strategies. In ageold structures, the lighting design adds value to the overall fabric and brings forth excellent visuals for the viewers.

The Client’s Vision

Automations Integrated

The Alila Fort was conceptualized as a boutique hotel and the whole design brief revolved around creating lighting experiences for the guests considering the architectural setting was already grand and intricate in all the habitable spaces.

The client had a vision of creating a landmark project and uplifting, if not just retaining the grandeur of the Alila Fort. The idea was to create the design experience of an old fortress as well as of retaining the feel of luxury and opulence of that space.

The lighting concept for Alila was strategized with immense detailing.

The Scope of Work The work involved full-scale lighting design of 62 rooms, all public areas, F&B areas, spa block, arrival court, banquet space, external sit-outs, landscape & external facade lighting of the fort.

It was a 7-year restoration project which required technical expertise. The execution of this heritage project had to be done with minimum intervention and maximum lighting effects.

A detailed survey plan was conducted, of the complete Fort as there was a lack of drawings available. A lot of internal areas were still getting explored while work was going on in the external setting. The focus was on doing elemental accentuations which required minimum chisel 48

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Every space was analysed and illuminated to appreciate each one of the fort’s historic aspects, such as the ceiling designs, colours, flooring, natural lighting, reflections, etc. The overall lighting was executed minimally, with the use of small discreet LED luminaires, and coloured RAL as each space demanded. High-efficiency LED fixtures and minimal-sized Colour Rendering Index Values were used. Lighting automation was executed in the restaurants through analog dimming modules; other areas were kept on timers or sensors were used for energy efficiency and easy maintenance.

Challenges faced Such restoration projects require a lot of patience and creative ideas with a focus on the detailing to be properly executed. A project of this scale did not have detailed documentation and sketch layouts were used for a lot of areas. Inputs on lighting were given based on Lightbook’s prior experience of heritage projects. Every space had to be planned and executed individually as the design intent changed from space to space.

CASE STUDY

Many fixtures were customized using past experiences of working on heritage hospitality projects, like the RAAS Haveli in Jodhpur. In this regard, the support of product manufacturers was valued and delivered the desired product.

Many hands and minds worked together to translate to reality the lighting visuals that were conceptually imagined.

Eventual Outcomes Alila Fort was a fantastic project and engaged Lightbook to further evolve and explore design at tangible and intangible levels.

Client’s Feedback All stakeholders were happy and satisfied after the project completion. It was a big success for the Clients, as it got featured in TIME magazine and other prestigious travel magazines around the world. This success led them to initiate the second phase of work and add more alluring spaces surrounding the Fort.

Final Takeaway Every project is unique on its own and heritage projects are even more so. Working on projects of this typology, one must learn to be prepared for challenges. The best way is to trust one’s instincts while conceptualizing spaces and working with this unwieldy medium of light.

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PRODUCT GALLERY

Basalte Fibonacci Multifunctional Keypads

Divus Touch Zone Panel This range of Divus touch panels extends from a 7-inch device to a 22-inch display screen.

Consumers can enjoy the right panel size, along with the desired performance and operating system for any project. The Touch zone panel works well with windows and android-based projects, providing more comfort and security in every home.

Iris, the product developed with futuristic AI Technologies, by Formeta Inspired by Fibonacci’s golden ratio, the keypads add an aesthetic touch to the interior.

The touch-sensitive surface allows effortless.

Available in all premium Basalte finishes, it seamlessly blends with every interior. It integrates perfectly with KNX, Crestron as well as Lutron, while making Fibonacci suitable for luxury homes all over the world. The multitouch function can be used to control anything at home. The multicolour LED in the middle can be programmed with any desired colour.

It offers a safer and more intimate experience at home compared to its other models, due to its renewed fabric-covered surface. After the device is powered on, it measures using sample sound waves to describe its surroundings. It can calculate how the sound wave from the 6x6+1 sound system is distributed in the environment it is in and offers an optimized solution for the best sound experience possible. It allows one to choose the lighting of the environment according to your mood. With the 360 degree camera integrated to the bottom of the sphere, one can check on the designated area on their app all the time.

SB10i Ultra-Compact Subwoofer by L-Acoustics

Introducing RTI Music; One App, Three Streams and Unlimited Excitement!

It is equipped with a single 10-inch driver, 27 Hz bandwidth limit and 124 dB maximum SPL output. SB10i subwoofers are extremely high-powered and measure only 21.3” L x 21.3” W x 6.7” H (540 x 540 x 170 mm) and weigh 33 pounds(15 kg). The new sub is sonically corresponding with L-Acoustics X4i and 5XT ultra-compact coaxial speakers. Featuring an elegantly discreet design, it is available in RAL colours, ideal for high-end residential and commercial environments, sophisticated hospitality settings, sports luxury boxes, museum installs and much more.

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RTI Music supports multiple independent sources and allows for three concurrent streams. Streaming sources include Pandora, Spotify, iHeart Radio, SiriusXM, SiriusXM for Business, SoundMachine, and TuneIn. The AirPlay interface enables streaming from Apple Music and Amazon music. The Music Queue features a play now, play later, and play soon options to build an on-thefly song queue while the Favourites playlists integrates songs from multiple services and local devices.

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NEWS

Black Nova Keypads comes Integrated with Lutron HomeWorks QS By combining Italian design and owner ease of use, the Milanbased company Black Nova has announced the integration of its keypads with Lutron HomeWorks QS. Black Nova claims that its product line has been gaining popularity over the last five years. The Black Nova keypad product lines consist of the ARIA

and ALBA series of products.

They complement the mounting systems from manufacturers like Trufig and WallSmart. The Lutron HomeWorks Qs has been added to the growing list of control system technologies that are compatible with Black Nova products. Others include Control4, Crestron Schneider, KNX, and RS-485.

Bose Reveals The Smart Soundbar 900 With Dolby Atmos And Much More...

The Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones were announced a few moons ago and now they have unveiled their Smart Soundbar 900.

The Smart Soundbar 900 has Dolby Atmos support, HDMI eARC, Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Bluetooth. It also has Airplay 2 support and Spotify Connect support, along with easy connections to other Bose smart speakers.

The company boasts of the Smart Soundbar 900 managing to utilize “Bose spatial technologies” in order to produce “a layer of realism no other speaker can duplicate.”

When there’s no Dolby Atmos content playing, Bose’s True Space technology takes over for vertical spatial effects. They also claim that their Quiet Port technology “delivers exceptional bass performance and virtually no distortion at any volume.”

The Bose Smart Soundbar 900 is graceful in design at 2.3-inches high, 4-inches deep, and 41-inches long. With an oval-shaped design and capacitive touch controls on the top.

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NEWS

Brilliant Announces A $40 Million Series B Financing Round For Smart Home System.

Brilliant, an innovator in home automation systems, smart home control, and lighting announced a $40 million Series B financing round, led by Next47 and Celesta Capital.

Other participants were Resideo Technologies, August Capital, Peak State Ventures, Gaingels, and Miramar Ventures.

Brilliant is the first to mass-market home controls, making it easier for homeowners to control other smart home devices within a home as such, intercom systems, doorbells, locks, garage openers, thermostats, lighting, and other scene experiences.

“We’re experiencing phenomenal growth and seeing unprecedented demand for our smart home system, which delivers simplicity and interoperability to a wide range of customers,” said Aaron Emigh, CEO of Brilliant. “We’re particularly excited about the home builder, developer, and integrator channels, and our new investors will help us further expand in these markets and unlock the full potential of a true smart home experience.”

The addition of this capital brings Brilliant’s total funding to $61 million to date. This allows the company to expand its product offerings to single-family home builders, multifamily developers, and property managers or integrators.

Brilliant touchscreen panels are installed instead of the standard light switches, transforming any house into a smart home.

Matthew Cowan of Next47 and Nicholas Brathwaite of Celesta Capital will be joining Brilliant’s board, as part of the fundraising process.

“We are thrilled to be investing and partnering with Brilliant during this high-growth stage of their 52

journey,” said Matthew Cowan, General Partner at Next47. “Given the widespread adoption of smart home technologies, we are seeing a massive shift in user expectations around having a complete, affordable, and seamless smart home experience. Brilliant’s ability to seamlessly unite all smart home devices in the home is a real gamechanger that we believe will make them the next great smart home company coming out of Silicon Valley.”

“We believe that much of the growth in smart home technologies will be propelled by new construction,” said Nicholas Brathwaite, General Partner at Celesta Capital. “With Brilliant’s strong channel relationships and traction, and compelling product offerings, the company is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this trend.”

Another strategic investor is Resideo,

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the manufacturer of connected residential technology products, including smart thermostats, security systems, and behind-thewall components and controls.

“Brilliant is Resideo’s first strategic investment, and we are extremely excited to deepen our relationship with an innovator in the smart home controls market,” said Travis Merrill, Chief Strategy and Commercial Officer at Resideo. “Brilliant brings the smart home experience together in a unique and user-friendly way. A key component of Resideo’s longterm strategy is partnering with residential technology leaders to leverage our product and channel strengths to provide even more value to customers and end-users.

We have teamed with Brilliant since their early days, and we look forward to expanding this relationship across our product offering and within our ADI distribution business.”

NEWS

Now Casambi Pro For Ipad !! - The Public Beta Tool For Planning And Commissioning Wireless Lighting Control.

The Casambi Pro Public Beta is designed for commissioning engineers, lighting designers, and consultants. It allows for a complete reimagining of designing, configuring, and deploying lighting controls.

Casambi co-founder Timo Pakkala says, “With an easyto-use graphical user interface that belies the apps’ technical complexity, we expect Casambi Pro to be adopted by all who have wanted more control of their projects but haven’t had suitable tools before.”

Key highlights of Casambi Pro include an ability to view & collaborate via a “digital twin” of the project, regardless of location. All lighting control and functionality can be configured remotely before actual devices are installed. the pairing of devices is the only thing left to be done on-site.It is available for downloads through TestFlight.

The Casambi App continues to function as a dynamic and adaptable wireless luminaire control solution.

Pakkala adds,” Besides the efficiency gains, fewer mistakes, and faster project turnaround times, we also expect that Casambi Pro enables higher quality projects

with a smarter use of the possibilities that a modern smart lighting control system can offer.” “Our original app has served our customers, and us, very well and will continue to do so, particularly for small to medium size projects. However, it became clear that we needed to develop a completely new tool specifically suited for managing larger commercial projects that typically utilize a lot of repetitive functionality in many areas.”

ICEA & CDAC Sign A Pact To Set Up A Centre Of Excellence For LiIon Based Products.

The electronics and mobile devices industry body ICEA signed a pact with state-run CDAC, for the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Li-ion-based products in Noida. This will enable the Indian companies to capture 30 percent of the global market share.The Centre of Excellence (CoE) is in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics, IT (MeitY), and the Uttar Pradesh government.

The CoE is to come up with infrastructure for testing, development of SMEs and entrepreneurs, and consultancy-based services for design and testing export ready products. the industry body stated that over 15 products, including power banks, Bluetooth speakers, smart lighting systems, and wearables, would be designed by the research and development team, along with industry participation.

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Xiaomi, claimed the step is in the right direction, making India self-reliant in the lithium-ion battery products segment.

“At a generic level for long term success of Indian electronics manufacturing, research, innovation, and well-equipped design centres need to be based in India. Moreover, the electronics component and design ecosystem must be built together, as one cannot exist without another.

“Currently, due to lack of design capabilities, India is losing valuable foreign exchange to international design

hubs in other countries, and in turn, it perpetuates imports too. We envisage that the foundations laid by this COE will help our nation capture a 30 percent share of the global market in a decade. Affirmative steps are being taken to ensure that these benefits reach the last mile. One of the steps is the proposed setting up an MSME park in Uttar Pradesh around NCR .”ICEA Chairman Pankaj Mohindroo said in the statement.

ICEA claimed the estimates of the total domestic consumption by 2025 will rise to USD 170-180 billion and the balance of USD 220-230 billion will have to come from exports.

Johnson Controls Selects Tempered Networks To Provide Zero Trust Secure Communications & Advanced Cybersecurity.

Johnson Controls, a global leader for smart and sustainable buildings, has chosen Tempered Networks.

They provide secure communications and network management for Johnson’s OpenBlue services, while further advancing cybersecurity leadership for the company’s smart buildings ecosystem. “We enable smart buildings with industry-leading secure remote access tech and AI-driven security,” said CTO Vijay Sankaran.

Johnson Controls will deploy Tempered Airwall as a core component of OpenBlue service offerings to protect building automation for customers from commercial and civic workplaces, hospitals, schools, campuses, and stadiums.

“The acceleration of digital transformation means our customers are realizing the benefits of operating smart buildings that are increasingly data-enabled and require the strongest levels of cybersecurity”, said Vijay Sankaran, vice president, and chief technology officer at Johnson Controls. “By leveraging security technology from Tempered Networks, we enable smart buildings with industry-leading secure remote access technology and AI-driven security insights to help OpenBlue customers manage risk and simplify network management, allowing them to deliver a great occupant experience.”The Tempered Airwall will be integrated into OpenBlue Bridge technology, acting as a gateway for securing edge to cloud communications.

“We are enabling Johnson Controls technicians to 54

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securely access and manage equipment at a customer site from anywhere using zero trust software-defined networking and military-grade encryption, rendering building systems invisible to unauthorized users and potential attacks,” said Jason Christman, vice president, and chief product security officer at Johnson Controls.

Johnson OpenBlue services leverage the Tempered Airwall platform, to be made available globally and displays a clear demand for improved cybersecurity and management.

“Critical infrastructure is being hacked daily because digital transformation has made it vulnerable. The network solutions that worked in the past, like adding yet another firewall, are no longer effective”, “ said Keith Beeman, CEO of Tempered Networks. “With Airwall’s native zero trust platform, building automation systems can now be safely and optimally managed from anywhere.”

NEWS

ETS6 ,The New-Generation Smart, Secure And Open KNX Automation Software - Launching On 28th September 2021.

ETS6, the most important KNX software tool to date, is scheduled to premiere on 28th September 2021. It will feature numerous changes in different domains, maintaining and further promoting KNX as the smart, secure, and open standard for home and building automation. Offering an improved user experience through an optimized user interface and licensing system, ETS6 will feature an adaptive and completely redesigned dashboard along with a plethora of additional useful metadata to enable users to find and access their projects quickly.

ETS6 will include numerous fruitful features: • Makes project handling easier while offering faster access to project data and allowing any project to be found quickly.

• Offers browser-like flexibility. Tabs and windows can be dragged and dropped to allow software adaptations when required.

• Offers simplified licensing workflow and new cloud license. With guidance through the licensing steps, it enables one to work offline if required.

• Sends update notifications to help avoid missing any critical updates, including feature and bug fix information, before the installation.

• With simplified backup functions and expanded collaboration capabilities, it allows enhanced project archiving.

• ETS6 supports the latest KNX system extensions for safer KNX installations, easier topology scaling, and new-generation RF devices. Also, it supports couplers with segment coupler and security proxy functionality, allowing existing projects to be extended easily with devices supporting security or RF. • It supports the Secure Proxy that enables the use of KNX Secure devices with plain KNX devices. Hence, any type of device can co-exist and communicate in a common KNX installation.

• Also, ETS6 supports the enhanced KNX RF Multi and the new generation of KNX RF devices. It also comes with several benefits like mandatory security support, easy configuration, and automatic frequency settings.

The runtime capabilities that come from a product entry are created with the Manufacturer Tool.

Nortek Control Adds to Outdoor Speaker Lineup - Introducing Proficient® Signature Series with Landscape Speakers & Subwoofers.

These outdoor speakers provide a premium level, best-in-class audio performance and withstand harsh environments. Adding to their recently launched Proficient Protege Rock Series Outdoor Speakers, now making it a total of thirteen new Proficient outdoor speakers delivered to the market in one month.

The PAS-AW-LS-6 and PAS-AW-LS-4, feature woofers that are 6-inch and 4-inch diameters respectively.

Each has a polypropylene core and NBR Surround and ¾-inch aluminum dome tweeters. Their enclosures are constructed of rugged, weather-resistant fiberglassreinforced ABS. SEPTEMBER 2021

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The new Proficient Landscape Subwoofers, PAS-AWGSBSUB-12 and PAS-AW-GSBSUB-10, are 12-inch and 10inch diameters respectively and possess mica-injected polypropylene cones with NBR Surround. Their heavyduty waterproof HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) buried enclosures to prevent ingress by yard pests and moisture.

“Audio that is best-in-class coupled with the latest in all-weather construction is the essence of our new Proficient Signature Series Landscape Speakers and Subwoofers,” said Richard Pugnier, Vice President of Marketing at Nortek Control. “We are excited to release seven Proficient outdoor speakers in short order, all of which supply our distributors and their dealers the ideal year-round outdoor entertainment solution, installation flexibility, and amazing acoustic harmony for any backyard.”

Added Jeff Shaw, Senior Director of Product Management for Nortek Control, “The Proficient Signature Series Landscape Speakers are at home in any yard, regardless of size or season. Their sound must be heard to be believed. Coupled with the Signature Series Landscape Subwoofers that are computer-optimized to deliver

deep, distortion-free bass that fills small to estate-sized outdoor spaces, the series presents a truly incredible audio experience.”

In addition to the durable weatherproof design which ensures years of reliable performance and sound, the Landscape Speakers boasts of adjustable volume control, long-life nickel-plated brass fittings & a variety of mounting options. All Proficient Protege, Signature, and Reference Series Loudspeakers and Subwoofers are available exclusively from authorized distributors.

Notion Works with Honey Insurance Assisting the Australian Homeowners to Monitor Risk and Save on Premiums.

Notion, a Comcast Company, announced an exclusive agreement in Australia with Honey Insurance, aiming to provide new customers with smart home sensors.

The complimentary Smart Home Sensor Kit is valued at AU$250, it will reduce loss and prevent small issues. Honey Insurance customers also receive 8% off their premiums.

Honey Insurance is Australia’s first smart technology insurtech. Not only does Honey provide Notion’s Smart Sensors to monitor risk, but it also uses satellite data to proactively detect changes to the home and automatically adjusts a customer’s policy to ensure adequate coverage.

“At Honey Insurance we are utilizing 56

the best technology and services from around the world to provide Australians with a better cover that is fast, simple to understand, intuitive to purchase, and designed for how people live today,” said Richard Joffe, Founder, and CEO of Honey Insurance. “Insurance shouldn’t be ‘set and forget’. Thanks to our exclusive agreement with Notion, we are not only able to save our customers money, but also help make their homes smarter.”

“Notion smart sensors are changing the way property owners and insurers monitor risk. In fact, 84% of Notion users didn’t monitor water leaks prior to using Notion,” said Brett Jurgens, Notion’s CEO and Co-Founder. “We’re excited

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for Honey to bring our DIY solution into Australian homes as we expand across the globe to help reduce the complexities and risks of property ownership”, adds Brett.

Notion reduces the risk for homeowners by providing sensors that monitor for issues like water leaks or temperature changes before they lead to significant damages and insurance costs.

NEWS

Somfy Introduces A Do It Yourself Tilt Blind Motorization Kit For Natural Light In Homes.

The world’s largest manufacturer of motors for interior window coverings and exterior solar protection, Somfy, has recently announced the launch of its Clever DIY Tilt Blind Motorization Kit. It is Somfy’s first interior, do-ityourself motorization solution for simple, automated natural light management. The Blind Motorization Kit offers consumers control over indoor light, glare, heat, and privacy with one simple upgrade made to the existing blinds. This easy to install kit offers a quick upgrade to a consumer’s existing horizontal blinds using a three-step process - remove, replace, and remote.

“At Somfy, our aim is to make our valuable customers’ journey into the smart home world simple and accessible.” She added, “By bringing Clever directly to consumers, we are offering them the power to turn their everyday blinds into a motorized solution, using an easyto-follow installation guide. Automated natural light management is now within their reach with Clever”, said Deirdre Brower, End User Channel Director, Somfy.

The smart home compatible Clever can also be paired with the Somfy myLinkTM interface and the TaHoma® Gateway. These user-friendly devices include free apps and provide automated control over existing blinds through remote, smartphone, or voice control.

In addition to this, Clever offers wire-free power and a rechargeable option to consumers along with precision control to incrementally tilt blind slats based on their preferences.

Silicon Labs & LifeSmart Together Launch A New Optimized Smart Home Panel with Whole-House Connectivity.

Silicon Labs, an intelligent wireless technology company partners together with LifeSmart, a leading company in IoT & smart home solutions. These organizations have

announced, a mutually beneficial collaboration on LifeSmart’s smart home control panel, the Nature Mini Pro.

“Silicon Labs provides the industryleading multiprotocol solution portfolio that our design partners need to bring their smart home products to market,” said Jake

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NEWS Alamat, vice president, and general manager of Silicon Labs’ IoT home and life business unit. “This collaboration is a great example of how Silicon Labs bolsters companies as they enter the global market. LifeSmart has created an award-winning panel using Silicon Labs’ leading SubGHz and Zigbee solutions to enable seamless whole-house smart control and expand users’ range beyond wireless transmission, pushing the limits of their portfolio of smart home applications well beyond expectations.”

The Nature Mini Pro control panel is optimized with Silicon Labs’ Zigbee EFR32 MG21 SoC and EZRadioPRO Sub-GHz Transceiver (Si4438). It supports multi-protocol gateways and integrates Sub-GHz and Zigbee mesh networks with 500 Sub-G nodes for connections in Star & Zigbee networks, providing expansive connectivity over 200m² for whole-house smart control.

“Nature Mini Pro is the latest member of LifeSmart’s smart panel product family. In this new Linuxplatform Panel, Silicon Labs’ wireless solutions provide a multi-protocol gateway that breaks through wall

limits for whole-house intelligent control and extends coverage to 200m²,” said Denny Dong, CEO of LifeSmart. “Nature Mini Pro can also connect up to 500 devices through the smart home’s wireless network and control them remotely.”

Silicon Labs’ EZRadioPRO Sub-GHz transceiver series enables the Nature Mini Pro to possess a long-range coverage along with low power consumption. The EFR32MG21 series Zigbee SoCs increase wireless signal coverage with 20dBm Tx output

power and -104.5 dBm Rx sensitivity.

Nature Mini Pro connects easily to standard protocol supporting third-party Zigbee ZHA or Zigbee 3.0 devices. It also connects with various Sub-GHz end-devices from LifeSmart( door locks, curtains, light switches).

Additionally, LifeSmart has attended and sponsored the Asia-Pacific region (APAC) sessions of Silicon Labs’ Works With 2021 conference held on September 15-16 China Standard Time (CST).

Sonos Beam Gen 2 soundbar is here, offering Dolby Atmos, HDMI eARC, NFC, AirPlay 2, and much more.

Sonos presents a more affordable, compact soundbar with a premium 3D audio upgrade. In addition to Dolby Atmos support, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 comes with HDMI eARC, a new speaker array with upgraded processing power improved sound, a sleeker design, NFC for seamless setup, AirPlay 2, and more.

The Beam Gen 2 main features : • 3D Audio with Dolby Atmos • Enhanced Sound, Same Size • Sleeker Design • Easy, More Secure Set-Up The Beam Gen 2 also includes Sonos’ Trueplay smart auto EQ and AirPlay 2 support for Apple users. It is available for preorder from 14th September 2021 direct from Sonos.

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NEWS

Signify’s Wiz Introduces Smart Lamps, Ceiling Lights & Smart Plugs.

Philips Hue - Signify’s other smart lighting brand, WiZ introduces the new and improved Wi-Fi-connected smart lights, lamps, and plugs at the IFA electronics trade show this week.

On display at the IFA trade show was a touch-sensitive table lamp, a power-monitoring smart plug, as well as a new series of ceiling lights and spotlights.

WiZ debuted a redesigned version of its Hero table lamp, along with a new, decorative Squire lamp that takes design cues from the Philips Hue’s Iris lamp. A pair of new, slim ceiling lamps, an adjustable spotlight, a frosted-glass A60 bulb, and a smart plug with an integrated power meter were also on display.

“We continue to expand the WiZ ecosystem with smart innovations like the Smart Plug and new connected table lamps and ceiling lights that suit every mood and style. By offering the most intuitive and easy-to-setup ecosystem, with a feature rich app connecting our smart products, we are helping

consumers to create a welcoming environment with smart lights for every lifestyle.” said Maikel Klomp, Business Leader of WiZ Connected.

Hero and Squire table lamps Soon to arrive in the market, the Hero is a cylindrical, short, squat lamp that can sit on a tabletop or a counter. It can give a glow with a tunable white light or in 16 million colours. The Hero connects directly to customers’ home Wi-Fi network and also understands voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant.

Although a new table lamp from WiZ, the Squire, bears a close resemblance to the Iris from Philips Hue. This decorative table lamp comes with a variety of lighting modes, with the top light and the illuminated base glowing at different steps during dynamic light shows.

New WiZ ceiling lights The aptly named Ceiling light has a slim design and shines with a

tunable white light. The Adria, on the other hand, has a more functional design and is suited for areas like a kitchen or a hallway. Similar to the Ceiling light in form, its white light is dimmable but not tunable.

Imageo spotlight Breaking into the spotlighting section, Wiz presents the Imageo, a new adjustable spotlight coming in different variations.

Frosted A60 bulb WiZ also displayed an A60 smart bulb with frosted glass, giving off a soft, tunable white glow. With objects illuminated( by the bulb) appearing the same as they would in natural sunlight.

New smart plug with power monitoring Lastly, WiZ announced that an updated version of its Wi-Fi smart plug will ship in late October.

This new model has a power consumption meter, allowing users to analyse their power usage.

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Ekinex style

Made in Italy

Materials

Unique objects that break out of the traditional schemes to suit or enhance the style of the interiors.

Design, great attention to detail and cutting-edge technology as an expression of the Italian tradition.

More than just function, the aesthetic choice between opaque or polished metals and nanotechnology Fenix NTM®.

New, essential, with strong distinctive features A series of multifunctional buttons adaptable to contemporary environments

Designing & Planning Tools Define the requirements for your project and enter the world of Ekinex!

Create your own project, define the requirements of a system, choose the most suitable finishes, and give a personal touch to the pushbuttons.

KNX DIN-Rail Modules We have developed a complete system of products and devices under the KNX standard that allows to realize the Ekinex Automation Solution.

www.ekinex.in 60

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sales@ekinex.in

+91 97319 44651