ABB Launches Smart Home Automation Solution to U.S. Market
Swedish-Swiss conglomerate ABB has introduced to the U.S. market a complete home automation solution that simplifies smart home control and integration functions on one open platform.
The ABB-free@home smart home automation system facilitates the control of such functions as climate, lighting, door communication, and entertainment from a touch panel or a range of in-wall controls, as well as via a tablet or smart phone. It also allows remote control from a mobile device.
“Our goal is to make people’s lives easier, safer, more comfortable and enjoyable through the application of smart home solutions,” says Franklin Sullivan, lead division manager for ABB Electrification Products U.S. “This momentous launch in the U.S. represents a significant step forward in achieving that.”
The manufacturer says the product allows simple and straightforward installation, making it accessible to a wider range of professional installers. It “connects directly to the homeowner’s Wi-Fi network and integrates a variety of smart devices. Its touch panel and in-wall controls are intuitive and simple to understand and quickly learn the system,” the brand adds.
One highlight of the system, the company explains, is geo-fencing. Functions such as climate and lighting control can be triggered based on the home "owners" or "tenants" location. “Should the system recognize that someone has left home, it can adjust the temperature, light settings, and also revert to the comfort settings to help reduce energy usage,” the company explains.
ABB says it’s collaborating with other market leaders to deliver an integrated system for consumers to control all of the latest technology for convenience, such as Phillips Hue, Sonos, and Amazon Alexa.
For example, integration with Alexa will allow users to control climate and lighting scenes through Amazon’s cloud-based voice service. It will allow Sonos speakers to be controlled from the ABB-free@home app, the ABB-free@home in-wall keypad and the ABB-free@home touch panel. “Users will be able to see and create speaker groups; start, stop, mute and skip songs, and adjust the volume, enabling users to integrate their favorite music into scenes,” the company says.
The product is ideal for both homes and apartments, the company says.