With spending on smart home services, including home automation, expected to reach $100 billion by 20201, ABB showcases its latest developments for smart homes, designed to provide the next level of safety and comfort for residents and unlock the potential of its new open API platform.
From 6 to 11 September in Berlin, ABB will profile a raft of new product solutions designed to take security and comfort for smart home residents to the next level. Key highlights include the new ABB-free@home Alarm-Stick and the certified integration of Sonos with ABB i-bus KNX. ABB will also demonstrate the potential of its new open API platform, which gives scope to integrate hundreds of third-party apps and solutions with ABB’s technology.
From its Busch-Jaeger (an ABB company) exhibition space in Hall 2.2, Stand 211, the technology leader will show how its new open API platform will provide a central portal to attract developers to work with different APIs that integrate with ABB Smart Building’s ecosystems.
Oliver Iltisberger, Managing Director of ABB’s Smart Buildings business explained: “ABB has been at the forefront of accelerating progress in smart home technology for decades. We know that when it comes to people feeling at home, security and comfort are two of the most important factors. That’s why we’ve developed new and improved solutions to take smart home living to the next level, so that customers rely on ABB technology for a safe, smart and sustainable way of living.”
Key highlights that ABB is showcasing include:
ABB-free@home® novelties and enhancements
ABB-free@home is a success story of its own right, with almost five million components installed world- wide. With the app all ABB-free@home functions can be controlled remotely. The Geofencing function allows predefined scenarios to be set when the homeowner enter or leave a defined area. So, for example, the all-off function could activate when all the residents have left the building.
The home automation system provides over 60 functions and can integrate up to 150 devices per system. With possibilities for wired and wireless connectivity and ABB’s new open API, which is now available for integration with third-party systems, ABB-free@home makes home automation easier than ever.
Hazard detection
For a holistic fire protection solution, ABB launches its new Alarm-Stick, which integrates ABB’s smoke, heat and Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors into ABB-free@home. The Alarm-Stick connects to the ABB- free@home System Access Point via USB and communicates wirelessly to the detectors, utilising the VdS 3515 certified detector protocol, making the integration process extremely easy.
Should a fire alarm go off, all detectors in the house will sound and a push notification will automatically be sent to the owner’s mobile phone, informing them of the cause of the alarm (fire or Carbon Monoxide), as well as which room the incident was detected in. It also provides the option to take additional measures including switch on all the lights or opening the blinds. Off-site notifications are also possible with a subscription to the MyBuildings Portal remote access service.
Upgraded connectivity – ABB’s new System Access Point 2.0 can connect up to 150 wired and wireless devices in one simple, easy-to-use ABB-free@home system. It provides a commissioning interface and full visualisation for homeowners, from lighting to heating and ventilation and enables the use of cloud services.
Intrusion alarm system – ABB-secure@home is connectable with ABB-free@home to create a unique system to make smart homes even more protective.
ABB-secure@home is a user-friendly intrusion and alarm system for residential properties. As a complete wireless security system, it is designed to protect homes from the inside and the outside, including from intruders and incidents, such as flooding or fire. Configuration is done via the ABB-secure@home central unit, which sits at the heart of the system and can be comfortably used in combination with the ABB-free@home app. The addition of remote control through the simple to use ABB-free@home app, gives residents complete control over their home wherever they are.
The anti-intrusion system is based on wireless technology using 868.3MHz. It features a proprietary protocol that uses a strong 128bit encryption together with a unique rolling code for all arming and disarming controls.
KNX novelties and enhancements
Exceptionable sound – ABB’s Busch-ControlTouch KNX app solution has been officially certified for integration with Sonos wireless speakers. Its easy-to-use app for iOS, Android and Windows not only turns smartphones, tablets and PCs, but also the Apple Watch, into practical remote controls for KNX systems.
With the text-to-speech function, commands typed into the Busch-ControlTouch device can be read by the Sonos speakers. The Sonos speakers can turn down the volume or play a defined tune when a certain event takes place, such as the doorbell ringing or the presence detectors sense someone approaching. This is the first ‘Works with Sonos’ KNX product which also delivers integration to support voice over and text-to-speech functionality.
In addition to this new Sonos integration, the device offers a host of features including a completely new visualisation with room pictures and small button controls, 16 internal room temperature controllers and an easier way of commissioning thanks to the build-in wizard. Besides dimming and switching lights, controlling blinds and using scenes, the Busch-ControlTouch® KNX also offers the possibility to integrate IP cameras, Sonos speakers and Philips Hue lamps.
Switch to a smarter tomorrow – Developed and manufactured in Germany to the highest quality standards, ABB will strengthen its position in the market with the launch of a new generation of switch actuators.
The new portfolio guarantees reliable switching of different electrical loads in ABB i-bus KNX installations. Beginning with the launch of the Combi Range, ABB has combined flexibility with compact design. The new Combi Actuators offer both switching and shading functionality in a compact device and are ideally suited to dynamic requirements found in residential projects. This range includes devices with a rated current of 6, 10 and 16 A, each with 8, 16 and 24 switching outputs. These digital ready components allow future feature extension for a smarter tomorrow.
Greater visibility – For smart buildings, data transmission to the cloud through the new ABB i-bus KNX IoT Dashboard will provide greater clarity on how the system is performing. It is possible to control all
building functions, from lighting, blinds, and heating, through a single, easy to use dashboard. Any further KNX functions can be realised using ABB’s open API. This makes life easier for electrical installers and, ultimately, end users. It also offers the possibility to integrate thousands of brands and applications into your smart building, taking comfort, energy efficiency and security to the next level.
ABB-Welcome IP – ABB-VideoControl – ABB-AccessControl
ABB’s new solutions use IP connectivity to provide a holistic door entry system with easy commissioning and usage for enhanced security and communication at home. They provide interaction between door entry, access control and video surveillance. What is more, the solutions integrate smart home and soon also building automation control through our new ABB-Welcome IP Touch 7-inch panel.
Distance in buildings is now only a matter of IP connectivity. The system can scale to manage 900 connected buildings with up to 2000 apartments per building.
With the upcoming ABB-VideoControl, the video surveillance system works with different cameras to stream videos 24 hours a day, seven days a week, accessible remotely. Videos can be stored on the local Network Video Recorded (NVR) or in the cloud. Additionally, remote access to door locks will be possible.
With the future launch of ABB-AccessControl, doors can become even smarter. An embedded RFID chip will enable doors to open remotely, via an app or automatically according to time settings. A comprehensive access rights management, together with time profiles and logging information makes ABB-AccessControl the system of choice for your individual access solution.
MyBuildings portal powered by ABB Ability
ABB introduces enhancements to its existing MyBuildings portal powered by ABB Ability to allow installers to easily select the right components for their requirements.
In 2019, ABB’s MyBuilding portal will offer new services including remote control and management for ABB-Welcome IP and cloud storage for ABB-VideoControl. This will enable remote operation and video streaming together with the online storage of CCTV video and project data.
ABB also extends support for installers with the launch of its Smart Home Configurator with country- specific versions. This configurator app facilitates the selection of light switches, sockets, and components for ABB-free@home. After its successful launch in the US, the version for Germany will be presented at IFA 2019.
Unlimited connectivity for smart homes and buildings
ABB’s new open API platform doesn’t just unlock potential in the smart home arena. It will also be a key innovation for the smart building sector, providing unlimited possibilities to integrate third party apps easily and seamlessly with ABB solutions in the future.
“With this latest raft of enhancements, ABB now offers the most comprehensive range of smart home solutions in the marketplace. Through the launch of our new open API and links with our well-established partnerships, including Sonos, Amazon Alexa, B/S/H, Miele and Signify with its Philips Hue products, we are well placed to take smart home automation to the next level, so that we make our living spaces more comfortable, welcoming, environmentally friendly and secure for the future,” added Iltisberger.
Source: * Juniper Research
