Smart Home World Magazine | Dec 2021

DECEMBER 2021

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DECEMBER 2021

SIRI WORLD I 3 I SMARTHOME

CONTENTS

10 10 19 28

Cover Story On Work From Home initiating the smart home industry growth

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

Trending Tech To Give Any Home A Smart Facelift!!

The Smart Fan Edition by Atomberg

4

30

In-Focus

33

Spotlight

35

Case Studies

47

News

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A detailed story on projectors and the latest technology used

Smart tips on how to make homes smarter

Detailed illustrations of smart projects

Latest updates on the global smart home industry

DECEMBER 2021

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FROM THE EDITOR

Multi-Tasking: Not A Problem Anymore!

SNEHA KANRAR SOM

The concept of working from home has always prevailed in specific industries. But, the pandemic has, kind of, made the adoption of the WFH concept compulsory for most industries, except a few essential service providers, especially doctors. Though the concept is slowly becoming a culture, it comes with certain pros and cons, just like any other. On one hand, WFH helps one avoid sitting inside a car, bus or on a scooter for hours in the distressing traffic jams, and on the other hand, it compels one to take care of all house chores along with office work, often creating the turmoil that ends up messing both the jobs. Since the lockdown phase started and working professionals, who never carried out house chores, had to take care of every tiny aspect of home management, besides, office tasks, the need for automation started being felt.

“Imagine you no longer require to manually wipe the floor, where you accidentally spilt coffee while ardently reading up something online! All you have to do is ask the voice assistant to put your robot vacuum cleaner at work and make it clean the mess, while you continue with your research.” Today, intelligent devices starting from smart ovens, refrigerators, vacuum cleaners, televisions, music systems, lights to curtains, have appropriately defined the words convenience and luxury, while upgrading the lifestyles of the urban working class. The rising demand for smart devices and constant technological advancements have made smart homes affordable for the middle class and upper-middle class. This is leading to a rapid expansion of the demand-supply chain, which is eventually promoting the growth of the smart home industry in metropolitan cities all over the world.

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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DECEMBER 2021

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ADD AUDIO STREAMING TO EXISTING OR NEW INSTALLATIONS.

WXC-50

MusicCast Wireless Streaming Amplifier

Yamaha Music India Pvt. Ltd.

P-401, JMD Megapolis, Sector 48, Sohna Road, Gurgaon-122018, Haryana, India Ph: +91 124 485 3300 Website: https://in.yamaha.com More info: https://yamaha.io/3pk37FX DECEMBER 2021

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COVER STORY

WFH Aiding The Global Smart Home Industry

Overview Even after the pandemic hit the world, the work schedules continue to grow hectic and energy-draining with challenging targets.

The culture of “work from home”, though existed in the pre-pandemic era as well, but got worldwide recognition and acceptance since the lockdown phase, when travelling got restricted. Now, the question is, does the WFH culture make the lives of the working professionals easier by eliminating the travelling time in busy metropolitan cities or more difficult by compelling people to juggle office work and household chores at the same time? Numerous surveys have proven the latter right. Multitasking is indeed strenuous! This is when people started realizing the need for automation to eliminate the burden of performing unavoidable menial daily chores and the concept of smart homes started gaining immense popularity.

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The concept revolves around connecting the primary home devices, ranging from lights, thermostats, air-conditioners, air purifiers, door locks to surveillance cameras, with the internet through a hub and controlling them using a smartphone or tablet, remotely or locally. Carrying out office work in a smart home can be quite gratifying and productive with smart lights changing colour and intensity as per the requirement of the users’ mental state, smart air purifiers and air conditioners maintaining the freshness of a room, smart ovens automatically turning off, once the chicken is roasted, smart video doorbells and door locks allowing one to sit on the couch, check who is outside the door and approve the entry accordingly with just a tap on a button. A smart refrigerator wipes out the hassle of keeping a track of stored eatables by sending notifications, to the connected smartphones, on what all are about to get over. Hence, people residing in

Email : info@mzaudiodistribution.co.in I sohaib@mzaudiodistribution.co.in Toll IFree: 1800-209-7848 DECEMBERI2021 SMARTHOME WORLD I 11

COVER STORY

smart homes can focus more on office work without worrying about mundane house chores. In simple words, a smart home setup is technically a network of hardware that communicates with each other to make the home experience better and lives easier. A standard smart home system comprises three main components: controllers, sensors and actuators. Controllers receive messages about the smart devices and their statuses while allowing the user to control and monitor the smart home system. The main function and mechanism of the system are controlled by the actuators, which comprise devices like light switches and motorized valves. Motion, humidity, light and temperature are monitored by sensors.

The must-haves for an uninterrupted workflow at home: Stable Wi-Fi connection and routers: A stable Wi-Fi connection with a bandwidth of ideally 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps allows one to stream, download and upload content in the wink of an eye. A considerable bandwidth ensures uninterrupted virtual meetings, which often lags due to poor internet connections. Hence, steady internet connections are a must for all who cannot afford to stay offline during working hours

Sanket Kulkarni, VP – Consumer Sales, D-Link (India) Ltd.

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and need to regularly download heavy audio/ video content from YouTube or any other online websites. “While the world continues to battle this pandemic, people have also begun to acclimatize themselves to this uncertain scenario. Much has changed in the last one year, with technology having taken precedence in our day-to-day activities.

Virtual classrooms, Home office, Online shopping, Digital payments etc are the new norms. Technology & more specifically the internet has been a key enabler in helping millions of people stay connected”, says Sanket Kulkarni, VP – Consumer Sales, D-Link (India) Ltd. .

“We live in a Digital World where we are constantly online for various reasons. In such a scenario we need a Router that can provide a consistent internet, so that we can continue with our work without any distraction. D-Link has a wide range of Routers that cater to various needs of today’s technology driven modern lifestyle.

One of our very recent introductions, D-Link Eagle PRO AI Router efficiently supports the post-covid lifestyle, by providing intelligent, network communication for bandwidthheavy applications in device-dense homes”, adds Kulkarni.

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COVER STORY

However, routers are often hardly paid attention to or upgraded until a big malfunction occurs. Late up-gradation of routers leads to degraded internet connectivity and a poor user experience for those using the network. To ensure smooth connectivity in every corner of a room, one needs to closely keep an eye on the frequent symptoms shown by the existing router.

If a router often displays network-related congestion issues, like slow web page loading or stuttering video playback, the user should immediately consider getting an extender.

“The main problem which people face is connecting Wi-Fi with the devices.

Inadequate bandwidth, due to multiple internet users at home, often hinders smooth workflow while working from home. In such a case, one can use the Pocket Geek Home app to check the speed and the bandwidth throughout the house and adjust the mesh accordingly. Also, one can double-check the subscription bill of the Wi-Fi to make sure you have subscribed to one of the premium services that offers bandwidth as per the requirement of the individual user. Also, due to the placement of the router, people face connectivity issues in different parts of the houses which have thick walls. The problem often arises when a router is placed in a room corner or faced towards a certain direction.

As a solution, extenders can be considered, which are easily available in the market or can be arranged by the internet providers.

Extenders, which intensify the strength of the router, need to be placed in the rooms which face connectivity issues. The Pocket Geek Home app can be used to identify the rooms with maximum connectivity problems and extenders can be placed in the particular areas”, says John Morin, Product Owner, Pocket Geek Home.

“Sometimes, even after having a router and necessary extenders all over the house, connecting devices with the internet in certain areas turns out to be difficult. In such a scenario, up-gradation of the router might be necessary, especially if it is more than three years old or you are based out of an urban area, where there is a lot more WiFi connection around, that often interferes with your Wi-Fi network mesh. Also, as mentioned before, the position of the router also makes a lot of difference in terms of offering connectivity. Fundamentally, when a router is placed in the middle of the room,

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John Morin, Product Owner, Pocket Geek Home.

it offers connectivity to the entire area, but, when placed in a corner, half the signal goes outside. You can think of it as a bubble around the router when it is in a corner, half the bubble goes outside the room, whereas, if placed in the middle of a room, it is spread across the entire room, while making a lot of difference”, adds Morin.

Smart Speakers and Voice assistants: Enhancing the comfort level, smart speakers operate with voice commands, issued to the smart devices. A smart speaker can be linked to a smart lighting system or smart security systems at home, to control them using voice commands. Google Home series and Amazon Echo series are at the top of the list of most popular smart speakers.

Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are selling like hot cakes in metropolitan cities with a maximum number of working professionals. This is because the voice assistants often act like digital personal assistants, who are responsible for keeping a track of all the virtual meetings, fetching revenue targets and reminding them about crucial events, marked on their work calendars. Research says, 75-80% of households with a Wi-Fi connection have one of the above-mentioned voice assistants.

With Alexa, one can experience the ultimate convenience of simply commanding it to join a zoom meeting on Amazon’s smart display called the Echo Show. Also, Alexa can calm the overstressed mind of the user, in the middle of the work, by playing relaxing music, with just one voice command.

A café in the morning.

An office in the afternoon.

A diner in the evening.

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

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COVER STORY

Smart Hubs: In a smart home set-up, information is passed from the smart hub to the smart devices through wireless receivers and radio transmitters, which connect the home internet network and enable the smart hub to relay the required messages to the smart devices. Smart hubs can work well with protocols like Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Among the popular smart hubs are Google Home and Philips hub.

Smart Time Keepers Timeular’s ZEI timekeeper, a small die, eliminates the task of manually filling out a timesheet, which is often asked for by certain offices, which need to keep a track of the work-time of each employee while working from home. One can assign each of the eight sides of the die to different office tasks like emails, phone calls, meetings etc. by marking a symbol that refers to each one.

The die can be then flipped to a particular side when performing the task, while the timekeeper starts the clock. The timesheets are taken care of by ZEI’s app. Smart time keepers are quite beneficial for freelancers, as this helps to track the number of hours invested in a particular project and charge the client accordingly.

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Global market growth rate initiated by the WFH culture: Projected to grow from USD 84.5 billion in 2021 to USD 138.9 billion by 2026, the global smart home market is anticipated to grow at 10.4% CAGR from 2021 to 2026 (As per the reports on researchandmarkets.com). The main reason behind the growth rate is said to be the factors like increasing purchasing capacity of people in the metropolitan cities of the developing countries and most importantly the increasing need for automation in the daily lives of working professionals, who mostly work from home and hence spend a lot of time indoors.

With the uncertainty prevailing since 2020, people all over the world have accepted the concept of working from home and the need for “home entertainment” like home theatres. This is eventually pushing the growth of the global smart home industry.

The market for lighting controls is expanding with lightning speed due to the increasing requirement of cutting down the electricity bills, as people are sitting at homes all day long, either working on personal computers or getting entertained in front of their smart televisions. The main reason behind the growth is the capability of the lighting control to reduce electricity consumption in homes, as the sensors adjust the intensity

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COVER STORY

of artificial light, considering the intensity of natural light. Besides, by offering convenience and comfort simultaneously, lighting controllers are rapidly making their places in most urban houses. The increasing environmental concerns and the global efforts put into ensuring the betterment and conservation of “Mother Earth” are among the primary reasons the smart home industry is advancing. However, certain security concerns and privacy breaches often hinder the advancement of the industry.

Security concerns while working from home : With smart home technology and automation, life has become easier than ever. However, the way a coin has two sides, working from a smart home has a few drawbacks as well.

“There has been an increasing demand in the use of smart home technology and it is observed that smart devices aren’t always secure. Smart devices typically hold a huge amount of personal, corporate, and sensitive data of customers and a hacker can infiltrate the database of a smart-device company to steal the data of all its users rather than breaching a single individual’s smart device. He/she can also spy on people in real-time if the smart device gets hacked.

Cyber security experts will see an increasing threat to the home infrastructures as the key target and challenge for them to address as cybercriminals will find such systems easy to use and infiltrate. Smart home security systems may become the entry point for a criminal to steal sensitive data off your home network if not implemented securely”, says Gaurav Batra, Founder and CEO, CyberFrat.

Work From Home is the new normal and it is expected to continue prevailing in the coming years. But, often there is a risk of sensitive information reaching an unsafe environment, where it can be misused in multiple ways. “Without the security protections that office systems offer, such as firewalls, blacklisted IP addresses, and increased reliance on technology, we are far more vulnerable to cyber-attacks while working from home. Unbarred personal technologies and practices could turn out to be fatal in terms of security. An unsecured home router and software application is an inherent opportunity for adversaries to use as part of a larger attack. Also, along with the right technology implementation, there is a need to make people aware of the threats like Phishing and Ransomware and best practices to avoid them i.e., using

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Gaurav Batra, Founder and CEO, CyberFrat.

VPN, Multi-factor authentication, secure filesharing mechanisms and not clicking on an unknown link”, adds Batra.

Summary: The pandemic has changed the way we live, think and work. Today, smart home industry giants like Amazon and Google aim to equip workers with productivity tools that can help them work more efficiently from home. Users can now create workday routines that automatically remind them not only about their deliverables and prescheduled meetings but also about when to take a short break, dim the lights or even get a glass of water to stay hydrated.

INTERVIEW

“Accessible”

To Be The New Synonym Of Smart Homes!

In conversation with Ar. Rudraksh Charan and Ar. Priyanka Khanna, Founders, 42mm Architecture “Technology is evolving and rapidly upgrading itself in the current day. Smart homes are quick to install, easy to maintain.

Most importantly, they make our life easier.

With technological advancements it was imperative”, say Charan and Khanna

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INTERVIEW

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

The younger population is building their homes.

Their fast-paced life and the search for convenience is making smart homes popular with the younger generation.

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

Security and system control are the most important components of smart homes. CCTV security and lighting automation are the sought features in contemporary homes.

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

System integrators are Comprehensive solutions to smart homes. It is a one-stop for all the utilities. It allows you to remotely operate the functions and also pre-set your environment to suit your needs.

Products of which category (lighting, security, entertainment etc.) witness maximum

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INTERVIEW

demand when it comes to integrating smart home devices while doing the interiors?

Why?

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

Lighting & Security take the front row as they are extremely imperative in the perception and feel of a space.

It has made it much more time-efficient as it is the most crucial aspect of their life. A single space when customized to suit multiple needs makes it multivalent.

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

Customization is a major benefit. It can be detailed to match your lifestyle.

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

It’s on the rise, it’s essential and very adaptable.

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?

Hospitality and commercials when automated become energy savers and money savers.

Residential is a capital investment however it allows for personalized detail setting and hence is soon popularizing.

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

Making smart homes economical and accessible to the general population is the biggest challenge for this industry. Creating multiple solutions for different economical chains and improvising them constantly is how the challenge can be overcome.

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

5 years down the line, “accessible” will be the new synonym of smart homes. Currently, the world is integrating itself through multi-devices, clouds, applications and the future is anticipated to display a stronger integration of these elements.

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INTERVIEW

Augmenting The Listening Experience!

In conversation with Richard Newlove, Managing Director, Amina Technologies Ltd. “Modern lifestyle listening is all about surrounding ourselves with high quality, crystal clear reproduction of music, podcasts, radio, and sound associated with video content, available to us anywhere we position ourselves in a room.

However, that is quite different from our usual experience of background sound in lifts, retail stores and that’s exactly what Amina stands for. We excel in providing Lifestyle Listening; panoramic, allencompassing, immersive, high quality, crystal clear audio. We have a range of models that cater for different loudness requirements, whether the system is for background music, foreground music and parties, TV systems, or media/cinema rooms”, says Newlove 22

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INTERVIEW

start, the growth potential is enormous. As we continue to work with the very best technology integration experts in India, we hope to contribute to this growth. Amina’s products offer a unique and important solution to many interior designers’ and clients’ aesthetic requirements, and our nearly 20-year experience in delivering the best invisible speaker solutions around the world means we can grow successfully in this market.

How would you describe the experience with Smato as the wholesome distributor for Amina in India?

We recently appointed Smato as our exclusive distributor in India as we share many values and goals. We love their approach to marketing and to educating their network of integrators.

They also share one of our key activities which is a program of outreach to the best interior designers which we know is the key to achieving project specification. Our message is clear – Amina provides the best technological and aesthetic sound system solution for clients.

What are the USPs of Amina? How is the brand different from its competitors in the AV industry?

How would you describe the current growth graph of Smart Home AV Solutions in the Indian market? What according to you is the primary initiator?

We have seen continuous growth over the last 10 years or so, but more recently this has accelerated considerably as companies like Google and Apple develop their easy to access Smart Home products and apps. This has brought huge awareness of Home AV Solutions to the wider population. Of course, the number of specialist technology integrators continues to grow to support this increased awareness, and importantly, they can bring an extra degree of customization and solution up-selling to the table, delivering even greater value to their clients.

How much growth potential do you see in the Indian market?

I think as the middle class in India continues to expand and drive innovation in the companies they work for, or the new companies they

Our two most important USPs are 1) audio quality, and 2) having the widest range of installation applications. Amina specifiers and installers worldwide trust us to deliver audio quality that not only exceeds expectations for an invisible speaker but sounds comparable to, and in many cases, better than conventional, visible speakers.

We have a truly unique technological story to tell that relates to the entirely natural way our speakers create sound. Therefore, we started the company – to take advantage of the benefits of vibrational sound technology. That has always been our primary objective, as this is a lot more natural way to listen to the sound as we go about our daily activities around the home, office, or hospitality environment.

When you add to this the ability for our speakers to be installed behind, traditional plaster, modern plaster, polished plaster, wood veneer, MDF, Corian and a myriad of other materials, designers are afforded huge freedom to specify and give their clients fantastic sound in virtually any area of a building with no visual impact whatsoever.

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INTERVIEW

Would you like to speak on the architectural aspect of invisible speakers plus sound quality?

Just to expand on my previous answer, the ability to consider speakers with zero visual impact helps enormously when sound is being considered at the early design or architectural stage. It’s also important to mention that our fabulous technical sales and support team can assist at this stage, and indeed all stages of a project, to help bring a solution to life. And perhaps of equal importance when answering this question, is the aspect of sound quality. This is because Amina’s speakers are vibrational panels, like acoustic musical instruments, and they create sound in a way that is more harmonious with their surroundings. The best way to illustrate the advantage this brings is to imagine how well we know a piano, violin or acoustic guitar fills a room with sound energy.

Compare this to how a conventional cone type speaker struggles to recreate the sound of roomfilling live music, something most of us have experienced.

How do you take care of the maintenance concerns of the products?

Amina’s speakers require no maintenance, but we understand the need to provide reassurance as to their reliability after installation. As I mentioned earlier, we have nearly 20 years of experience in designing speakers that must be physically integrated into the structure of a building.

This experience allows us to provide incredibly detailed installation guidance and training to all of our installers. When installed by an authorised dealer, our products carry a 10-year warranty. As an additional safety net, our speakers feature a separate in-line protection component to prevent the driving amplifier from overloading them.

Are the products only for background listening or for home theatre setup as well?

We have observed a popular trend in the Home Theatre segment, where clients want the immersive, dynamic, and cinematic experience of a traditional, single-use cinema room in their everyday living space or lounge areas. It’s an interesting technical challenge, both acoustically and aesthetically. But, our speakers solve both with their fantastic sound dispersion and room-filling characteristic, plus, of course, 100% invisibility.

Amina allows you to have a clean, clutter-free

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lounge during the day, which then doubles up as the ultimate Dolby Atmos™ home theatre, whenever you want to settle in for a movie, without seeing a single piece of technology, except for the video screen!

In addition to our invisible speakers, we have a range of high performance, super discrete subwoofers that are built into walls or ceilings, taking up no room space. These provide a rich, powerful, and seamless sound. Our technical specification team are always on hand to advise on the best configuration and speaker positioning for any type of system for any type of building or project.

INTERVIEW

Smart Lighting: The Crux Of Contemporary Interiors!

In conversation with Jiri Krisica, Head of Design, Sans Souci

“Today, the world is very connected. Also, India represents a fast-growing economy, which means that the country is open to the latest solutions and technologies. At the same time, cultural heritage is very strong here. So we are aiming at a fine balance between traditional chandeliers, colours, clients’ demands and modern solutions, including smart technologies. The younger generation is more open to new solutions as they want something different and new. They are also more concerned about health benefits and wellbeing”, says Krisica.

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INTERVIEW

What role does smart lighting play in the contemporary homes of tech-savvy owners?

Smart lighting can make our life easier and more convenient. And above all, it can improve our health.

With smart lighting, we can change the intensity during the day, and the chromaticity and temperature of the light. The most advanced systems can even change the light wavelength. For example, in your smart kitchen, you can use different lights for cooking and dining. For cooking and manipulation with food, the colder light with high colour index and CRI (Ra) 95 is the best option. You can see grocery clearly, and you can spot any spoiled parts easily. For dining in the kitchen, the light will be replaced with warm light to create the right ambience and a pleasant vibe.

This is possible because the lighting is equipped with multiple light sources to ensure it works accordingly.

This is all available thanks to LED technology.

Additionally, you can control the different types of lights using your voice.

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How important is the collaboration with a system integrator, while doing a high-end lighting project?

The system defines everything. Our lights can be only as smart as the house is. We prepare our lights accordingly to the system which is in the house. We make the lighting fully compatible with the smart home. Without a smart home, our lights are not smart either. However, because we make our lights compatible, customers can change the system or evolve it, and our lighting will adjust easily. We are flexible.

What are the primary factors that you consider while ideating a design pattern? Or what all needs to be kept in mind while ideating a design theme or pattern for a particular area?

The overall design of the space and building always matters. We need to consider the client’s needs, taste, as well as budget. The same goes for smart lighting,

INTERVIEW

the key is to understand the space, its purpose, client’s ideas and desires. We can then combine the design, light intensity and prepare it for the smart system in the house.

light. Smart light also does not include too much UV light. And once the day comes to an end, the blue light is limited to ensure a good night’s sleep. All for your convenience and wellbeing.

“Every coin has two sides!” Would you like to speak on a few drawbacks of smart lighting?

Do you see any challenging factor (economic, social, environmental etc.) that has a strong potentiality to restrain the smart lighting industry? What can be the possible solutions?

Smart lighting is based on technological know-how and it can be very demanding in terms of budget and reliability. We all have experienced when technology does not work with our computers or phones, and if we are not educated, it can be a challenging task to fix it. For better reliability, we recommend working with advanced systems. However, the more advanced systems, the higher the cost. The best system includes cameras, twilight systems, humidity systems, voice recognition systems and they can recognize what is happening around them and adjust the light scenes to it. At Sous Souci, we, as lighting experts, look for the most advanced light sources from the best producers worldwide to ensure the right colours and long lifespan.

It which sector (hospitality, commercial, residential), according to you, traditional lighting is getting rapidly replaced by smart lighting? And why?

This depends on the purpose of the space. Traditional lighting will not be replaced by smart lighting in all areas any time soon. Traditional lighting is still important, for example, in the hospitality segment.

Here, the main purpose is to create ambience. So, it can be easier to go with warm lights for the ambience.

However, in the kitchen, smart lights can be used to increase efficiency and functionality.

As in any industry, to achieve progress and development, we need investment. However, if there are no economic obstacles, the industry will move forward. It is the same with the customer.

If the customer can afford it, he can benefit from it and can use the advantages. One of the most common solutions available for the wider public is LED DAYLIGHT SENSORs, which are light sources that adjust according to the light intensity in the room.

How do you foresee the smart lighting industry 5 years down the line?

Technology is constantly evolving. We have to stay ahead of it and be ready to change and adjust to the progress. A few years ago, we worked with LED lights.

Today we work with COB LED to make visible just one light source HOT SPOT. The next one to come is OLED technology, which we are already familiar with.

However, for now, it is a bit expensive. But we are already ready for it.

Residences, on the contrary, increasingly incorporate smart lighting. In this segment, there is pressure to ensure the highest possible level of wellbeing.

You can also see that UVA and UVB lights can be used for disinfection purposes at homes. This is all programmed by the smart home and can be done very smoothly.

In what all ways, according to you, smart lighting is capable of promoting better mental health for those working from home?

Yes, for sure. Light can affect our health. If you have smart lighting at home, you can influence your daily routine. The warmth of light can cope with your body functions at different times during the day. This means you are not spending all day under the same light as you would without the smart light or in the closed office. Smart light copies the natural cycle of

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TRENDING TECH

Trending Tech To Give Any Home A Smart Facelift!!

The Smart Fan Edition by Atomberg

Smart home controls are now at our fingertips and a growing part of our everyday lives. The growth in smart technology for the home over the last couple of years has greatly improved life. A smart upgrade can make any space more comfortable by making the users’ daily routines easier.

The dream of a smart home is more attainable now than ever before. As any home renovation begins with a single wall, a home automation upgrade begins with a single piece of technology designed to make your lives a little better.

Taking the first step is made easy, with an Atomberg smart ceiling fan coming with a host of benefits and the added advantage of a sophisticated look.

An Atomberg fan has energy efficiency built-in with a BLDC motor, they consume less electricity and keep utility bills down. They are equipped with intelligent electronics programmed with the AtomSENSE algorithm. This motor-tuning

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and calibration algorithm checks various motor parameters in real-time and controls the motor in a close loop, ensuring an efficient motor performance. The algorithm is also incorporated with protection handlers that keep the motor safe from voltage surges, current surges in coil, peak power locking, and coil heating.

Started by IIT Bombay Graduates Manoj Meena and Sibabrata Das in 2012, Atomberg is constantly evolving motor designs to match every contemporary aesthetic.

Their longer fan blades guarantee better air delivery. They are compatible with voice assistants like Alexa & Google home. While they can also be controlled via the Atomberg app and remote control up to 20 ft. and also has a Toggle feature.

Having won multiple accolades like the ET Startup of the Year Award (Best on Campus), the Global Cleantech Innovation Award by United Nations, and the Climate Solver Award by WWF. Atomberg

TRENDING TECH

takes pride in its R&D capabilities, innovation & technology, and its commitment to creating revolutionary products for the evolved new age consumer.

With a fully integrated manufacturing facility at Navi Mumbai (capacity of 150000 fans/month) and over 400 service centers across India, consumers are spoilt for choice, with numerous options available both online and offline.

Listed below are 3 smart fans chosen

by Atomberg’s Experts: 1. ATOMBERG RENESA SMART+ CEILING FAN Every futurist’s fantasy comes true with this sleek IoT-enabled smart fan. With an energy-efficient 3. STUDIO + DESIGNED TO IMPRESS The Studio+ ceiling fan has been thought out carefully with every detail set amaze: from its liquid coated, wooden bottomed finishing, to its wide blades that keep users cool with maximum air delivery.

Studio+ fan is beautiful and incredibly efficient with a BLDC motor which guarantees savings.

The Studio fan is easy to clean and maintains consistent speeds at low voltages and can last up to 3 times longer on an inverter battery. The fan comes with a smart remote, enabled with a timer, boost, and sleep mode. This model comes in 1200 mm and has various shades available.

BLDC motor, this fan runs up to 3 times longer on an inverter battery and comes with yearly savings.

This IoT-enabled fan works with our Atomberg app which is available on Playstore and IOS and is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant.

The fan comes with a smart remote enabled with a timer, boost, and sleep mode. This model comes in 1200 mm and has various shades available.

2. ATOMBERG RENESA CEILING FAN Renesa Series ceiling fans have been designed for savings all thanks to their energy-efficient BLDC motors. They have a sleek, aesthetic design, and run 3 times longer on an inverter battery.

With its spectacular contemporary design and energy-efficient BLDC motor. Renesa is a perfect combination of style and savings. The fan comes with a smart remote, enabled with a timer, boost, and sleep mode. This model comes in 600 mm,1200 mm, and 1400 mm and has various shades available.

More About Atomberg Taking pride in its R&D capabilities, innovation & technology & with a commitment to creating revolutionary products, Atomberg is a smart and efficient motor-based home appliance company, focused on making the lives of Indian consumers better through innovation and technology.

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IN FOCUS

Experience The Silver Screen At Home!

Today, home cinemas are rapidly becoming an integral part of urban homes, all over the world.

Home cinemas often addressed as home theatres are fundamentally spaces within houses that are decked up with audio and visual equipment, devised to offer the users commercial theatrelike experiences. Essentially, these are a seamless union of widescreen televisions/projectors, offering visual satisfaction, and a series of speakers, providing realistic surround sound to enhance the movie-watching experience. With the help of constantly-advancing technology, one can now design and implement a common operating platform to take separate stereo equipment components and align them with viewing screens. In a house, a basement or an unused room is often converted into a home cinema by getting drapery panels along walls to block out light, arranging ample seating, setting up 30

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television screens/ projectors and fitting speakers in designated spots. While planning for a home cinema, people often get baffled about whether to choose a big television screen or a high-quality projector for ultimate visual pleasure. To do away with the dilemma, one needs to closely look at the differences between the output given by a television screen and a projector screen.

Television Vs Projectors: •

Projectors offer the freedom to alter the screen size depending on the number of viewers in the room. Television screens, on the other hand, cannot be adjusted as per convenience.

Therefore, when it comes to size, projectors are more feasible.

•

When it comes to resolution, television screens

IN FOCUS

offer an adequate resolution, especially in 4K. However, most projectors don’t come with a 4K image sensor and use a 4K enhancer or pixel interpolation instead, to offer 4K-like quality.

• Both television screens and projectors offer commendable colour saturation with excellent colour accuracy. But, the difference is, to get realistic colour reproduction on TV, with HDR capability, one needs to spend a good chunk, whereas, even the basic DLP or LCD projector models are capable of providing high-quality colour output. Projectors, these days, are backed with modern colour technology, which helps them to cover more than 90% of RC709b.

• Relatively smaller than a TV, a projector easily fits into a limited space. A projector screen can be installed in an empty ceiling or wall.

• Today, every TV and projector comes with an inbuilt speaker. However, the sound output of the inbuilt speakers is quite insufficient for a home cinema. Therefore high-quality speakers or audio systems need to be clubbed with the video systems(projector/TV) for an unparalleled experience.

Vijay Sharma, Country Head India, Optoma Corporation.

Benefits of projectors: • The screen size of projectors is completely customizable, as they can operate on any surface, instead of one fixed screen. Projectors eliminate the need to buy new hardware.

• Projector screens are naturally larger than TV counterparts. The size of the projections depends on how far the projector is from the screen. Therefore, one can enjoy larger, theatre-like images on projector screens. Also, projected images decrease eye strain due to the effect of reflected light on the eyes.

•

Projectors are lightweight, compact in size and can be easily carried in a backpack.

“With the new generation of Ultra Short Throw Projectors, like Optoma P2, achieving a 120” big screen is merely a matter of a few inches from the wall. The installation-related issues are taken care of with smart APP’s and highly flexible products which can be bought off the shelf and installed just like television. Smart Projectors are also able to take voice commands and are compatible with Alexa and Google assistance. The projected screen is customizable. This means that a high-end projector could cater the needs of a small family movie night, as well as a group of 20-25 people as the output & projected location can be changed easily to suit the requirements. Another factor that comes into play in favour of the projector and AV segment is the cost-benefit analysis. Unlike traditional televisions, projectors have the lowest cost (on a per-inch of screen basis)”, says Vijay Sharma, Country Head India, Optoma Corporation.

The evolution of projectors: From the digital projectors, created around 1984, to the modern-day smart projectors, the video output device has come a long way to reach the top of the home entertainment wish list of today. Projectors capture images generated by a computer or Blu-ray player and reproduce them by projecting onto a screen, wall or another large, flat and lightly coloured surface. Smart projectors, these days, come with interfaces, operating systems, apps and Wi-Fi capabilities, which open the door to endless possibilities. These use their own computer to download and stream apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime etc, instead of being dependent on the user’s laptop or other devices.

Besides, smart projectors can easily connect with gaming consoles without the requirement of an HDMI cord or Amazon Fire TV Stick. Aided with the latest technologies, a projector today is more flexible, portable and space-saving. Movie enthusiasts from all over the world are opting for a smarter projector, which often costs as much as a smart TV, but offers better specifications and more features. Also, for compact apartments, with space restrictions, projectors might be a better option.

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IN FOCUS

“Projectors are no longer confined to the corporate and education sectors; they have created their place in the entertainment and lifestyle sector too. The latest and innovative additions to the projector categories are the smart projectors which are high in demand among the target consumers. The latest projectors are upgraded with tech-friendly features, allowing users to view their favourite shows on the big screen at their own comfort and enhancing their visual experience.

Although projectors enhance their visual features at the same time, they are emphasizing enhancing audio features. Nowadays, the projectors come with in-built speakers providing users with a decent experience for the standalone home cinema experience. The latest smart home projectors are user-friendly, light-in-weight, and an easy fit for all the requirements of a luxurious yet cost-effective entertainment device with LED source, a lamp-free technology which ensures low-maintenance giving better life-span than ordinary lamp projectors”, says Eric Wei, General Manager, ViewSonic International.

“Lamp-free projectors are affordable as well as eco-friendly projectors that are less hazardous and are equipped with better brightness that

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Eric Wei, General Manager, ViewSonic International. performs in bright living room conditions. On the other hand, ViewSonic LED’s projector range comes with a premium design appearance which doesn’t only deliver a big-screen experience but also goes well with your interiors. Investing in a good projector is a smart choice since they are now packed with features like easy connectivity, voice control eye protection, 5G Wi-Fi and preinstalled apps and more this makes it easy for the user to screen their entertainment without any hassles. The easy connectivity feature has made the projectors a go-to product for cinema lovers. Additionally, the product also has a fan base amongst the gamer’s community, as it offers features like 4.2ms Ultra-Fast Input & 240Hz excessive refresh rate as this enhances the joy of gaming. Today, the audience is open to experimenting with cutting-edge technology when it comes to their viewing experience. Amid COVID-19, there has been a steady rise in demand for smart home gadgets, hybrid solutions, and more that has created a buzz in the market”, adds Wei.

SPOTLIGHT

Tips To Help You Make Your Smart Home… Smarter!

By: Scott McKinley, AVP, Premium Technical Support, Pocket Geek Home

Nearly everything in your home can now be linked through Wi-Fi, allowing you to control functions like temperature, music, and security systems all through an app. While this type of freedom and flexibility can make your home more convenient and efficient, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of smart devices on the market. A few simple things to keep in mind can go a long way toward helping you set up the right smart home experience so you can enjoy all the smart devices you’ve purchased over the years.

Connecting devices and making sure they’re working properly can be a frustration for some people. Just being connected is important to millions, for a variety of reasons. A recent survey showed that half (49%) of U.S. consumers had an increased need to be connected as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. What’s more, 40% have connected a new device in their home since the crisis began.

Demand is coming from renters and homeowners alike. An average of 44% of renters1 say they would have a greater interest in a future rental if smart home products were provided as amenities. This is true across a wide range of connected products.

Connected door locks, security and HVAC systems are the most popular items, with more than half of renters voicing a preference for these features.

There are several other home gadgets and devices that people are looking to connect and making sure they’re connected properly is important to keeping your home as smart as possible.

Smart Televisions Smart televisions are an easy place to start in regards to smart devices, and the set-up often takes just a few minutes. Most televisions come ready to connect to your Wi-Fi, and you can simply download streaming services apps directly to your set. With this connectivity you should avoid the need to buy additional and expensive accessories for streaming content, as most

operating systems are now built directly into the TV itself. Simply connect to your Wi-Fi with a reliable, secure password and download some apps to get started.

Smart Thermostats Smart thermostats are also quite popular today, and they are a good investment for a new home.

These devices enable you to adjust your home’s temperature remotely, and this allows you to warm up or cool down your house even before you walk in the door.

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SPOTLIGHT

This works because the smart thermostat is connected remotely via your smartphone, and in addition to setting the temperature remotely you can also check and adjust energy consumption in real-time, no matter where you are. This helps to save money over time since you’ll be able to turn off air conditioners you mistakenly left on or turn down the heat if you’re not home. Newer model devices allow you to learn your schedule habits and adjust the temperature without your direct input. Some can even detect when you are coming home and automatically set your temperature to your preference when you are within a specified range.

Installation can be as easy as watching a video tutorial, app or even a YouTube video from the manufacturer. But before making any purchase be sure the one you’re interested in is fully compatible with your home’s wiring, furnace, and air conditioning units.

Boosting Internet Connections Finally, smart home or connected devices really have no use unless they have a strong internet connection. However, what can you do if you have slow or poor internet strength and speed, or if you have a large house and your internet signal doesn’t fully reach all areas of the house?

The first step is to make sure your router is located in a centralized place within your home. Since Wi-Fi signals don’t travel well through dense objects like concrete, metal and wood, the more walls your signal has to move through, the more

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strength it loses. Just a simple move of the router to another location can solve many signal strength and coverage issues.

If you are not able to centralize your router, then there are some additional options that can help. If your router fails to provide every corner of your home with adequate Wi-Fi coverage, mesh network systems and Wi-Fi 6 routers are potentially great ways to strengthen your Wi-Fi signal and fix dead spots in your home. But which one is best for you?

Mesh systems are really designed to solve poor signal coverage that can reduce your internet strength. Before making an investment in a mesh Wi-Fi system, it’s wise to first check to see if you have any signal strength issues in the places where you need to use Wi-Fi. There are some great Wi-Fi speed test systems, or apps like the Ookla Speed Test, that you can use to check your signal strength at various places within your home. You might be surprised how much signal loss you have as you move further away from your router. Based on the speed test results you can make the right decision for your situation.

Sometimes, your signal strength issues can be caused by using routers that are just out of date and not ready to handle the demands of today’s streaming, gaming and smart product use.

Another great solution is a Wi-Fi 6 router that is offered by many manufacturers today. WiFi 6 systems can extend the range in the home, transmit data faster, and through their multiple processors they can process signals from different sources simultaneously.

CASE STUDY

‘A Smart, Safe & Sustainable Residence’ Lighting Design & Automation by : Mr. Harsh B Mehta, Managing Partner, Future Automation Solutions Interior Design by: Mr. Jaimin Patel, Principal Designer, Prism Design Studio

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CASE STUDY

The ‘Shyamal Patel Residence’ is the type of project, that a system integrator gets once in a lifetime. Having a client with the means and a discerning personality to spend wisely and use ideas meticulously makes the whole project execution into a pleasurable experience.

Automations Integrated

The Scope of Work

An approximate 7.5 M(INR) was the total cost for the smart home integration. The following sub-systems have been used as a part of the complete solution package: • Audio Distribution • Video Distribution • Integration Control • Network Infrastructure • Intercom • Satellite TV • Lighting Design • Lighting Control • Shades Design • Shade Control • HVAC Control • Security – Door Intercom, Video Surveillance, Access Gate/Door, Alarms • Irrigation • Pool/ Spa • Mirror TVs • Dolby Atmos Home Theatre with UST Projection • Smart Glass Technology for Privacy and Safety • Motorised Gate

The performance objective of the project was crystal clear from day one. All technologies ranging from Smart Lighting with On/Off, Analog Dimming and timed sequences to HVAC Integration, AV Zones, and control, Security, Motorisations, etc were deployed and seamlessly integrated onto the Control4 platform combined with KNX Lighting Controls and Shading solutions.

The Client’s Vision The client wanted to adopt smart technologies designed to make life simple, smart, convenient, user-friendly, safe, and sustainable.

Prism Design Studio was contracted by the client to design their home. The Design team was a vital force to deliver the intended technological solutions. Their alacrity to blend technology with interiors gave this residence a unique edge of seamless, meticulous sophistication.

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Having immense confidence in KNX as a backbone platform for a project of this complexity. KNX offered the flexibility of diverse brands and solutions. When combined with the Control4 user interface, it was suggested that the client opts for a unique user interface suitable to every age group in the house.

CASE STUDY

Challenges Faced Right from the empty stage of the house, all the cabling requirements were planned in accordance with the drawings & design concepts. Additional elements were added with regard to the nature of the project and the clients’ exposure. This led to a lot of complexities in system design as well as cabling infrastructure.

With proactiveness, an innovative mindset, a never say never approach, and cable provisions in the right places all of the clients’ requirements with met.

One of the main challenges faced was allocating the right space for the server rack which wasn’t ideal and affected the rear dressing. Another challenge was the lift integration, since it was an after-thought, it was tricky to execute, this was ultimately managed with the use of proximity sensors for lift detection, to trigger the drop bolt locks.

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CASE STUDY

Eventual Outcomes The entire experience was a thrilling, adventurous, ambitious, and deeply satisfying project. The challenges faced by the teams were cleared to deliver a seamless user experience, exceeding the client expectations.

Client’s Feedback Future Automation Solutions are the client’s preferred vendors for all their endeavours, be it home, office, showroom, restaurant, etc. Having undertaken multiple projects with the family, feel a sense of pride to be their technology partners for a lifetime.

Final Takeaway When a client is willing to accommodate challenges & experiments to achieve the solutions, that’s a perfect environment to bring out the best, the unexpected, and remarkable outcomes!!

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CASE STUDY

‘A Luxury Residence With A Fabulous Landscape.’

Lighting Design & Automation by: Licht and Light studio

This high-end residence is 8500 square feet with a beautiful & large landscape. Licht and Light studio were the onboard lighting designers for this very prestigious residential project.

The Scope of Work Having multiple spaces, a private lounge, study cum home office, gym, massage room, bar area with POOL facing sit-outs, the whole project had to be integrated with

lighting & home automation. They had to understand the lighting design intent while documenting (drawings BOQ etc), analysing, value engineering, budgeting, specifications, installation, and commissioning.

Licht & Light studio believes in creating a story with the lighting of any space, such that it blends well with the interior details (material, colours, walls, layouts, etc.) and is visualized as a balanced interplay of all the design elements. After several design discussions with the ID team, landscape

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CASE STUDY

architect, and client, they employed a distinguishing lighting language to address the entire project.

The use of minimal and subtle lighting, vertical illumination, adding colours with controllable lighting system, innovative lighting tools, and intelligent home automation, DALI, all of which added to the ease of functionality and the freedom to choose one’s own experience in different spaces.

The Client’s Vision The client’s brief was to have flexible automation integrated, thereby creating a world without any bounds or limitations in the controls of zone ambiance. In every space, they wanted ease of control and accessibility by devices like smartphones & iPads.

Automations Integrated Digital addressable lighting interface (DALI) was integrated automation used in the project, supported by the backing system which made smooth functioning of the control system.

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lighting and use the darkness which would enhance the space. They achieved it by using minimal artificial lighting and only having areas lit up that needed to be in focus.

Then while stepping towards concept presentation they added dialux calculation in some of the concerned areas. This software gives more confidence while bringing the design intention to the clients and designers. It also assists in choosing the right luminaire with longevity for delightful results. With no scope for mistakes, the team made frequent site visits to make this project come together efficiently.

Challenges Faced The challenges of working with multiple brands and contiguous site visits to match the timelines, along with the learnings made this an efficacious journey. With multiple demos at the site and the full strength of the team, they managed to deliver the project within the given timelines.

Eventual Outcomes Litch & Light were able to make the spaces come

CASE STUDY

alive and added exciting flavour into a project.

When on the right path, with the right planning, and with the right people any journey is smooth and the destination is more easily achievable.

The client’s trust and freedom to design the concept is the key to many successful projects.

Client’s Feedback The results and the aura created through lighting speak for themselves. All collaborations resulted in a big WOW factor. Whether it was the fixture selection, layouts, or the implementations the client was overall impressed. They felt glad that the project exceeded the client’s expectations.

Final Takeaway Never rush for anything and don’t procrastinate for a long time. Achieving balance is important, in behaviour, action, and design. Any smart automation system-based project, demands a talented and professional team.

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CASE STUDY

‘An Automated Dream Residence With A Home Theatre-( 10 seater)’ Complete Automation Solution by: SISPL- Solutions India System Pvt Ltd

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Through a reference, from a previous project, SISPL was awarded this residence. The residents of this luxurious dwelling, also own a large departmental store chain.

The Scope of Work

The project involved the complete automation of residence. Along with the solution for a fun zone, home den, consisting of a dedicated 10- seater home theatre, a gaming zone & sundeck.

• Entire Audio-Video Solution for Residence and the Den – including Audio Distribution and Zoning.

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The Scope included consultation, design, site management, installation, commissioning of:

•

Automation of both Residence and the Home Den.

CASE STUDY

•

Other support solutions like –Seamless WIFI, Video-door Solutions, CCTV, Biometric Access Control, etc.

•

Integration of all above into Automation.

Other value-added proposals made by SISPL: 1.

Worked closely to understand and create macros for creating integrated controls combining various functions like light, drapes, temperature control for creating desired scenarios, proposed programmed timer-based functions, etc.

2. A proposed solution for Seamless WIFI using the latest components to support speeds up to 1300 Mbps for seamless gaming.

3. Proposed Single Integrated app for Automation and Audio Zone control – allowing control of music in all zones through Automation app

4. Proposed Hybrid Control for Automation involving Integrated app for all Controls of Home Theatre viz- Lights, AC, AV with separate scenarios for Gaming, Moviewatching, Music, Party, etc., along with Touch panels with buttons programmed for frequently used commands like Master-on, Master-off, Movie scenario, etc 5. Proposed different Brands for Home theatre, Game Zone, and Sundeck for best aesthetics and sound.

6. Proposed Acoustic solutions to minimize sound leakage to outside zones and other floors 7. Proposed an upgrade to a Tru-4K Projection Solution for the best viewing experience.

The Client’s Vision The client had broadly mentioned his requirement of complete automation for home with seamless WIFI, a fun zone with good music, and connectivity in all areas.

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CASE STUDY

The home theatre experience consisted of a large screen along with great sound for viewing movies. It was also specifically designed for gaming with zero / minimal sound leakage to other areas.

Automations Integrated Details of Hardware / Solutions: They worked on Control4 Processor, Zonal Amplifier so as to give the Single-app experience for both Automation and Zonal Audio. The other components used like Relays, Dimmers, Fan Control Modules, Curtain Control Modules, IR Emitters, Programmable Gateway modules, etc were from Control4.

The Third-party components were Coolmaster, Motors for drapes, Customized Dimmable Ballasts for Lights, Soundless Levitation fans for DB. The Touch Panels used for Automation were the 4.3” ones from Crabtree. The AVR was Denon 8500H to incorporate the speakers and to deliver the

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CASE STUDY

necessary power to Home Theatre Speakers.

The Speakers used were Klipsch for HT and Sundeck as per budgetary indications from the client, and On-wall Speakers from Monitor Audio for great looks and the Punch required for the Game Area.

The Projector was Sony 4K one for justifying the 4K content of OTT, Sony PS, and 4K Media Player.CCTV, Video-door Phones, Sony PS, Apple TV, Dune HD 4K Network Media Player, and Biometric Access Control were provided and were all integrated into Automation for a single-app experience to the client.

Network of Cat6 was provided from DB to all components – Amp, Projector, PS Console, Media Player, All Routers and Access Points with same SSIDS to create a seamless experience of usage for Automation, Gaming and also of usage of Wireless Audio Apps like Spotify, Apple ITunes and Downloaded Content from Media Player. Components used for networking were selected to work up to 1300 Mbps and with Wave 2 to give the necessary speed and bandwidth and to be future-ready for upgrades by ISPs An Understanding Of The Progress In Phases: Initial Meetings – For understanding requirements, sharing concepts, sharing broad solutions, finalizing the deliverables broad commercial terms, etc.

Integration with PMC and Architect (PMC-A)- Post the discussions, the client saw

that the deliverables were in sync, and with value-additions to his wish-list, the team was integrated to the PMC and Architect to work on modalities of feasible and workable solutions as per the limitations of the site specified by PMC, the guidelines set by the Architect from aesthetics point-of-view and the budgets specified by Client, and all this without affecting the quality of deliverables and the end-user experience. The initial electrical and furniture layouts were taken with details viz -a number of lights per loop, length of LED strip, dimming/ on-off for each loop/strip.

Design – The design team, from inputs of the pre-sales team, created a v1.0 design in terms of – Hardware (Models, Specs, Placement), to share with the PMC-A group for a consensus and consent, a parallel sharing with the client, the Investment Summary v1.0, prepared by the Commercial team for the go-ahead and advances.

Implementation – Post consent of all stakeholders, Layouts with Products placement and wiring designs were shared and explained in detail.

Execution – involved assignment of a project manager to coordinate with electricians, carpenters, etc., coordination of supply of cables, wires, products, coordination with Company engineers for installations, etc.

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CASE STUDY

Challenges Faced

Final Takeaway

Among the challenges faced were:

This project reinstated the belief in the fundamentals:

•

A Low ceiling along with additional floor height due to sound treatment posed a great challenge in giving the required screen size. Choosing a rimless screen and shifting resolution to 2.35: 1, helped resolve the challenge.

• The low ceiling, coupled with all inceiling speakers posed a challenge for the proper spread of the Audio across the home theatre room especially to the corners of the Home Theatre. Detailed configuration of each speaker with reference to other speakers, helped clear the hurdle.

•

•

The compatibility of the Jio Router provided by ISP and other routers created separate IP ids which hampered the seamless integration of wired and wireless networks which were used initially for Automation. Appropriate changes of migrating all to the wireless network helped resolve the issue.

The main challenge was to review the progress and re-explain details to the implementation team after a good break of over 8 months due to lock-down.

Having the necessary documentation in place, with the status-update reports, helped get back into action without any errors.

Eventual Outcomes In a nutshell, it was a great experience to bring all the components to one platform, ensuring the smooth functioning of all solutions, for the effective and timely handover of all the necessary deliverables.

It was a great pleasure to have the client choose SISPL, based on a previous project. Also showing complete faith in the recommended brand/make/type of speakers, was a great motivation to the entire team. They were able to achieve and exceed the client’s expectations in terms of audio quality and the automation experience.

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• Understanding client’s requirements and Usage patterns thoroughly • Sharing all options of best solutions and technologies with the client and delivering the expected.

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Sharing the necessary information and advising the client on the best options.

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Customizing the shortlisted solution/s to the requirements of the client.

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Well defined and distributed, scopeof-work for each stakeholder with approx. timelines, coupled with welldocumented sharing of information to all stakeholders in easily comprehensible diagrams and texts.

•

Disciplined visits with clear objectives of each visit to monitor and ensure directional progress of the Project.

•

Genuine and achievable deliverables, to be communicated to the client, in welldocumented format and to deliver to excel the committed levels and client’s expectations.

NEWS

Confirmed Exhibitors Surpass 2100 for CES 2022 list of approved vaccines can be found here.

• U.S.-based attendees are encouraged to use the CLEAR complimentary mobile app and Health Pass feature to expedite vaccine validation.

• Non-U.S.-based attendees, as well as U.S.-based attendees who may be unable to use CLEAR, will need to provide their proof of vaccination at designated locations on-site.

The Consumer Technology Association (CTA)® announced that CES® 2022, the world’s most influential technology event, is adding an additional layer of health protocols and will offer complimentary COVID-19 rapid testing kits. This additional measure builds upon the previously announced requirement that all in-person attendees must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

CES attendees will be provided with Abbott BinaxNOW COVID-19 Self Test kits. Each BinaxNOW Self Test kit contains two tests, which can be used twice while attending the show. CES strongly encourages all participants to test for COVID-19 before they leave home and within 24 hours before entering a show venue.

“CES is a global event, and we continue to see strong momentum with new exhibitors signing up every day,” said Gary Shapiro, president, and CEO, CTA. “In August, we announced that every CES attendee must be fully vaccinated. CES will also provide complimentary COVID-19 rapid tests, onsite at badge pickup locations, as an additional step to protect the health and safety of all our attendees, exhibitors, and staff.”

CES 2022 returns to Las Vegas Jan. 5-8, 2022, convening over

2100 exhibitors, global media, top retailers, and industry leaders.

Confirmed exhibitors include brands like Abbott, Amazon, AMD, Autograph, Damon, Goodyear, Hisense, Hyundai, IBM, Intel, LG Electronics, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, Panasonic, Procter & Gamble, Qualcomm, Revival Health, Samsung Electronics, Sierra Space, Sony, Waymo and more. A full exhibitor directory and floorplans can be accessed at CES.tech.

Below are the updated health protocols planned for CES 2022: Testing – All CES attendees MUST be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

And all attendees test for COVID-19 within the 24 hours period prior to entering a CES venue.

CES will provide complimentary PCR testing for non-US-based attendees who require testing prior to their return flight home.

Vaccination Requirement – CES attendees MUST show proof of COVID-19 vaccination to attend CES. Detailed information on the proof of the COVID-19 vaccination process can be found here.

• Attendees must be fully vaccinated with a vaccine approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or World Health Organization (WHO). A

Mask Requirement – Masks are required for large indoor events in the State of Nevada. CES attendees will be required to wear masks as follows: • In exhibit booths and indoor exhibit facilities.

• In conference rooms.

•

and

keynote

CES shuttle buses and any CES transportation services.

Safety ambassadors will be walking the exhibit floor to offer masks to those who may need one.

Additional include:

health

protocols

• Enhanced ventilation systems and cleaning protocols in CES venues.

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Set to enable social distancing.

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Wider aisles and one-way traffic flow in certain areas.

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Sanitizing stations and guidance on attendee best practices.

Those unable to travel to Las Vegas will be able to access CES digitally.

Owned and produced by CTA, CES 2022 will convene the tech industry in person and digitally, Jan. 5-8, 2022, with Media Days taking place Jan. 3-4, 2022. Global audiences will have access to major brands and startups, as well as the world’s most influential leaders and industry advocates.

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Eelectron Announces A New KNX Product

Eelectron adds to its product portfolio with the new 2-channel KNX-DALI gateway for controlling up to 128 DALI drivers.

Details about DALI Gateway IC02D01DAL It is a device used to control electronic ballasts (ECGs) with a DALI interface (by following EN 62386) via the KNX installation bus. The device converts switching and dimming commands from the connected KNX system into DALI telegrams and status information from the DALI bus into KNX telegrams. The IC02D01DAL is equipped with two DALI outputs that are independent of one another. 64 ECGs can be controlled, individually or in up to 16 DALI groups, via each output.

Other features include: • 64 drivers per channel (total 128).

• Management of all drivers individually or in groups (16 groups per channel).

• Small size, only 4DIN. • Compatible with DALI2 drivers • Management of Dynamic White DT8, RGB DT8, and RGBW DT8 drivers.

• Meter, alarms, errors, scenes, …..

• Manual control buttons and status LEDs

McIntosh Introduces Wireless Speakers.

Highlights of the RS150 and RS250: • Easily add streaming music to any room • Built-in casting: Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Chromecast, Roon Ready • Control playback directly from your favorite compatible streaming apps - no dedicated control app needed • New, quick responding LED digital meter Introducing the new RS150 Wireless Loudspeaker and RS250 Wireless Loudspeaker System. The RS150 is a compact wireless speaker delivering amazing home audio sound performance. The RS250 is an advanced home audio wireless speaker system to date. Both the mono RS150 and stereo RS250 are stand-alone, complete wireless speaker solutions. The new models do not require a dedicated control app. Rather, each features a variety of built-in streaming “cast-to” technologies including Spotify®Connect, TIDAL® Connect, Apple® AirPlay® 2, Bluetooth®, Chromecast, and Roon Ready.

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The RS150 replaces the RS100 and has received various upgrades. The power output of the RS150 has been doubled, with the woofer receiving 90 Watts and the tweeter getting 30 Watts. The RS250 replaces the RS200 and has also received thoughtful changes. Its woofer enclosure was engineered to reduce distortion, and a more user-friendly bass control is added that can be used to fine-tune the low-end performance.

NEWS

Miantic AV Proudly Partners with Black Nova Miantic AV is pleased to announce a distribution partnership with Black Nova in India. Black Nova’s stylish, innovative keypads now will be available in India distributed by Miantic AV. “We are excited about our distribution partnership with Black Nova, a leading design and user-experience oriented keypad manufacturer, that has fully embraced our customercentric philosophy and collections.

We believe Black Nova’s Collections will provide the perfect match to any interior and taste with unique and flawless user experience to our customers.” Director of Miantic AV said.

Black Nova is an Italian design-driven Company with a focus on pursuing excellence in developing and producing innovative Smart Design Keypads and Touch Panels providing unparalleled user experiences. Black Nova Collections are designed with a bold personality and obsessive attention to every single detail.

The Black Nova Smart Design Keypads Collections, ARIA®, and ALBA® connect with a wide range of third-party systems and are

becoming the modern and stylish interface to control lighting, climate, shades, etc.

Alba® : The Epitome of Elegance and Functionality.

Its bespoke look and precise performance create an experience of pure comfort and aesthetic pleasure nicely matching a variety of interiors, from eclectic urban loft to a mid-century living room, from minimalist conference room to classical yacht suites.

Aria® :

A Tribute to Minimalist

NAD Announces The New Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier

Aesthetics of the 20th Century.

Its natural elegance elicits straight lines, simple shapes, vivid colours, and perfect glass surfaces are a stylish match for any interiors. They are fully Crestron Home™-ready and compatible with a growing range of control systems including RS485, Control4, Lutron, Schneider Electric, and KNX. The Black Nova smart gateway, NOVA Hub, supports most of the 3rd-party devices and popular communication protocols (ex. KNX, ZigBee, ZWave, RS485, etc).

NAD Electronics, the highly regarded manufacturer of high-performance audio/video components, announced the new and improved NAD Masters M10 V2 BluOS Streaming Amplifier, which continues its “just add speakers” revolution of Hi-Fi. The M10 V2 features 100 watts per channel of amplification and BluOS streaming capabilities and adds the capability to expand with Dolby Digital Surround decoding, an enclosed IR remote control, and updated gain algorithms.

“The original M10 caught the industry off-guard and made audiophiles and non-audiophiles reimagine what hifi can and should be,” stated Cas Oostvogel, Product Manager for NAD Electronics. “The M10 V2 continues where the first left off and adds even more versatility as a two-channel or potentially a wireless home theatre system.”

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Nortek Control Unveils Massive Integration Release for ELAN® Control Products Nortek Control announced twenty-seven new drivers for ELAN® control solutions and wholehouse entertainment. The new drivers underscore the benefits of the unparalleled program of close collaboration between Nortek Control engineers and third-party driver developers and vendor partners.

“These updates add powerful capabilities for our dealers to deliver a more customized experience to end-users. Integration between ELAN products and other home products is of prime importance, and we are proud to deliver some of the most requested drivers of the year,” said Richard Pugnier, Vice President of Marketing at Nortek Control. “The latest offerings strengthen our commitment to making it easier for integrators to design and install an all-inone control solution that meets the unique needs of their clients in every category.”

Each new integration added to the ELAN control system library creates a more intuitive experience with the products and helps dealers build a stronger business by providing a more tailored solution for their customers. Among the top-requested integrations, the newly released Lutron RadioRA3 adds more connected and innovative capabilities for lighting and shades in the home. Other recent integrations

like Kaleidescape, Storm Audio, and Optoma Projects contribute to enhanced entertainment, while Hayward Omnilogic Pool and Spa Systems create a new level of energy-efficient backyard control.

“Lutron’s goal is to give professional installers all the vital tools they need to grow their business,” said Matt Swatsky, Vice President of Residential Mid-Market Business at Lutron. “We’re proud to collaborate with the Nortek Control team to support custom professionals and their projects with seamless solutions that help expand their business.”

Earlier this year, Nortek Control announced over twenty new drivers for ELAN products including Somfy, Fusion, Lenbrook NAD, and more. The Nortek Control development team is currently in progress on additional control drivers with prominent Security, Lighting, and other manufacturers that are expected to be announced in 2022.

OCF Specifications Deployed In Korea LH Smart Home Project Industry leadership from Korea Land and Housing Corporation overcomes significant IoT security, privacy, and interoperability challenges with OCF The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) has adopted the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) secure cloud-connected technology as the foundation for its national Smart Home Platform.

LH to overcome significant IoT security, privacy, and interoperability challenges. The initiative enhances residents’ living experiences through access to smart healthcare, intelligent safety systems, greater convenience through automation, and improved energy management and control. All of this is achieved through the convenience and automation of the LH Smart Home.

Jin Meong Eo, Director of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, adds: “We have made it our mission for all public housing to adopt smart homes. This is not only a response to the government’s digital policies.

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NEWS We are working to continue Korea’s leadership in innovation for the good of society. We are opening up access to healthcare, making living environments safer, and saving energy to protect the world around us. OCF is one of the key components in helping us to achieve this in a secure, scalable way and that is why we chose OCF in our project.”

A secure and private-by-design IoT smart hub in each home collects and analyzes IoT big data. It also features built-in fine dust and CO2 sensors and helps residents to control 15 different types of a device via an OCFcompliant Smart Home app. Based on this project, the goal is to continue to expand into public housing, with more than 223,000 households estimated by 2025.

Mr. Mark Trayer, Chairman of the OCF Board of Directors, comments: “Connecting IoT cloud environments with a range of devices and device types presents significant security, privacy, and interoperability challenges.

This is limiting consumers’ options and hindering

market expansion. As governments work to connect infrastructure, proprietary IoT solutions can’t meet their requirements. Delivering a smart home service like this at scale both answers these challenges while improving tenants’ lives. This is true leadership from LH, and a model that can be replicated elsewhere.”

OCF collaborates with the IoT ecosystem to deploy and evolve the OCF ISO/IEC specifications, including the Secure IP Device Framework, its open-source reference implementation, and an industry-recognized certification program. All of this enables secure end-toend implementations that encompass device-to-device, device-to-cloud, and cloud-to-cloud. The technology fosters competition, facilitates productivity, and drives innovation while aiding secure deployments with rapid development and simple integrations with IP networks and non-IP systems.

Yamaha Defines the Future of Home Entertainment with New Series of Cutting-edge AVENTAGE AV Receivers

The RX-A8A, RX-A6A, and RX-A4A offering 11-, 9- and 7-channels, respectively – join the all-new, reimagined AVENTAGE lineup. From 4K today to 8K tomorrow, they represent the new reference standard for all others to be compared to, combining passionate engineering, relentless attention to detail, and True Sound reproduction into the most innovative AV receivers to date.

New Look Advances to the AVENTAGE lineup in 2021 are the

most significant to date, with a clean and powerful new look, inside and out. It begins with a simplified, modern design that features a bold, center-volume knob, a brand new, high-resolution LCD display, a rotary jog dial, and touch-sensitive buttons.

The attention to detail continues all the way down to flagship-quality parts at the base, with each new model providing stability against vibrations via the signature AVENTAGE “fifth foot”. This Anti-Resonance Technology wedge has been further analyzed and developed for

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even more efficient dispersion of chassis vibration in the three new models, placing the fifth foot near the front center of each unit’s base to bring the sound image closer to the listener.

The Future of Home Entertainment The new AVENTAGE AV receivers have both the processing power and flexibility to embrace and recreate crystal clear audio and visual experiences for movies and gaming like never before. This includes 8K/60*, 4K/120*, 4K/60, HDMI 2.1*, and HDR10+* to usher in a new era of dynamic displays and endless possibilities for what can be seen and heard at home.

In fact, these new AVENTAGE models will include industryleading support for the latest HDMI technology, with seven inputs and three outputs in each model supporting 8K60/4K120. This HDMI 2.1 compatibility provides faster, smoother, and uninterrupted entertainment and gameplay with auto low latency mode (ALLM), variable refresh rates (VRR), quick frame transport (QFT), and quick media switching (QMS).

The RX-A8A, RX-A6A, and RX-A4A support immersive 3D audio with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, enabled by the Qualcomm® QCS407 smart audio platform. QCS407 provides powerful quad-core audio processing, offering both superior sound quality and cinematic listening experiences. This Qualcomm smart audio platform is designed to decode and playback a rich variety of audio content.

Breathtaking Sound + Display All inputs on the new AVENTAGE models support Dolby Vision. In addition to DTS-X and Dolby Atmos, the three models also offer Dolby Atmos with Height Virtualization, simulating the overhead sound experience for an immersive, 360-degree sound field in a number of speaker configurations. The top two models will offer Auro-3D, which offers even more transformative capabilities and immersive audio experiences by creating virtual, three-dimensional virtual soundscapes that move around the listener.

In addition, all models feature Surround: AI, a proprietary Yamaha technology and the only artificial intelligence found in an AV receiver. This technology analyzes the DSP parameters and optimizes each sound element, such as dialogue, background music, and sound effects, in real-time. The three new AVENTAGE models double the previous platform at 64-bits, thanks to the Qualcomm

Savant Has Joined Avnu Alliance.

Savant®, a leader in smart home technology, has joined the Avnu Alliance, a consortium of professional, automotive, consumer electronics, and industrial manufacturing companies working together to ensure 52

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QCS407 chip.

In order to deliver the maximum performance of surround sound realism, each receiver comes equipped with Yamaha Parametric room Acoustic Optimizer (YPAO) R.S.C. multi-point measurement, precision EQ, and a new low-frequency mode. This included technology detects speaker connections, measures the distances from them to multiple listening positions in a room, and automatically optimizes speaker settings, such as volume balance and acoustic parameters.

Meticulously Crafted The advances to the appearance and processing platform are echoed in the upgrades to the internal circuit design, mechanical structure, and audio parts. This includes: •

Symmetrical amplifier layout for optimized signal paths, improving sound clarity while reducing signal noise and cross-channel interference. The transformer is further mechanically isolated from the amplifier stages with a separate mounting bracket for greater vibration reduction, which contributes additional rigidity to the internal H frame structure.

•

Tonal balance through high-quality parts, including Premier Audio DACs from SABRE for extraordinary signal-to-noise ratio and up to 120 dB dynamic range for pro-quality audio.

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A high slew rate amplifier, which more than doubles the performance of the previous generation. This newly designed circuit achieves both a high slew rate and stable signal transmission, allowing it to respond to rapid changes of input levels with precision and accuracy.

Ease of Control All new AVENTAGE models offer the entire suite of MusicCast capabilities and app control, including WiFi, AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, built-in music streaming services and multi-room audio Built-in streaming services include Amazon Music, Spotify plus thousands of internet radio stations.

Full two-way control is available via software integration drivers that seamlessly connect the new AVENTAGE models, and dozens of other Yamaha home audio products, with the nation’s leading home automation and smart home control systems.

NEWS

the interoperability of devices within the Audio Video Bridging ecosystem.

“Savant was one of the first whole-home technology companies to move past the matrixed audio distribution topology into an infrastructure where audio content moves over a single Ethernet cable,” explained Tim Locascio, VP of Engineering at Savant.

“After careful examination, we determined that AVB offered the most reliable standard for audio over IP, with its zero-configuration and self-healing attributes. AVB is also an open IEEE 802.1 standard that is free, future-proof, and innovative – much like 802.11 networking standards. These attributes plus outstanding performance made AVB the right choice

for Savant.”

“Savant is well-known in the residential market for leading innovation, and they were an early adopter of networked audio,” said Greg Schlechter, Avnu Alliance President. “Their commitment to open standards and their choice to utilize AVB is a proof point for its potential benefit to the custom install market. Avnu Alliance is pleased to welcome them to join the work with our other members on driving open standard, converged networks as a future-proof foundation for networked media. The ultimate result is making it possible for custom installers to deliver the best possible media experience to their customers on a network that is both reliable and easily expandable.”

Schneider Electric Wins CES 2022 Innovation Awards for Sustainability and Smart Home Leadership.

Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, wins four CES 2022 Innovation Awards for sustainability and smart home leadership.

Schneider Electric was also ranked as the world’s most sustainable corporation in 2021 by Corporate Knights.

Schneider Electric’s Wiser Energy Center, anchored by the Square D™ Energy Center in the US, Named CES 2022 Innovation Awards winner in both the Sustainability and Smart Home Categories The Wiser Energy Center helps homes contribute to today’s global sustainability goals and was named a CES 2022 Innovation Awards winner in both the Sustainability and Smart Home categories. The Wiser Energy Center is pioneering in the field of smart home sustainability.

This new generation of home electrical panel controls the energy needs of connected devices from one place. By combining the power of the Wiser Energy Center and Wiser software, consumers gain full control over how energy is produced, stored, and distributed in the home. It optimizes the allocation of energy, and can also detect renewable energy sources, switching to use these at the most optimal time of the day.

Merten Ocean Plastic Named Honoree in Sustainability Category Merten is a market leader in the field of electrical innovation and design. With the launch of the ocean plastic model and collaboration with DSM, Schneider Electric is shaping the future of sustainability by being the first in the market to offer home electrical solutions made from recycled ocean plastics. The Merten ocean

plastic helps combat this issue and promotes a circular economy by repurposing collected nets and giving them a new life.

Once Sustainable Smart Switches & Plugs are a Sustainability Category Honoree The new Odace Sustainable collection from Schneider Electric is a collection of the stylish, smart switch and plug solutions for the home. Made from almost 100% recycled sources, this new product from Schneider Electric marks a significant step forward in reducing carbon emissions and landfill waste.

YiFu Qi, Executive Vice-President, Home, and Distribution Division, Schneider Electric, says: “CES is a place where innovation is recognized and we have the opportunity to push not only our industries but society forward. We’re thrilled to receive four CES 2022 Innovation Awards in the two categories representing who we are today and our future. From the ability to put control into the hands of homeowners globally with the Wiser Energy Center to the incredible ingenuity of the Merten Ocean Plastic and Odace Sustainable, we are making sustainability a reality for people around the world and living up to our vision of making homes smart and sustainable.”

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Semiconductor PLI Scheme Holds $10 Billion To Pursue Indian Chip Makers The Indian government announced an ambitious production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme worth `76,000 crores (around $10 billion at current rates) for establishing a semiconductor ecosystem attempting to capitalize on the China Plus One sentiment that has been gathering steam in the post-pandemic world.

China Plus One refers to reducing dependency on supply chains only in China and diversifying the business into other countries. Below mentions India’s bid to finally promote semiconductor chipset manufacturing in IndiaUnsplash • The `76,000 crores ($10 billion) semiconductor PLI scheme is aimed at setting up an entire ecosystem of chipset manufacturing in India.

• The government has also announced a program to create a workforce of 85,000 highly qualified engineers over the next 20 years.

• In total, the Indian government has earmarked over `2,30,000 crore towards various PLI schemes for electronics manufacturing.

The announcement was made at a press conference

by Union Ministers Anurag Thakur, Ashwini Vaishnaw, and Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. The ministers also revealed finer details of the scheme, in addition to the fact that 85,000 engineers would be supported over the next 20 years, with Vaishnaw quipping that they are the “brains behind the chipsets”.

Semiconductor chipsets are used across a wide range of consumer electronics, including smartphones, laptops, computers, cars, smart home appliances like lights, fans, and many other things.“Going forward, any country which does not learn how to make wafers [semiconductors] will be left behind,” Vaishnaw added.

The timing of the semiconductor PLI scheme is also crucial when companies across the world have been suffering a semiconductor shortage that has been going on for several months now. At the start of November 2021, reports suggested that the government was working on details of the semiconductor PLI scheme, following that the semiconductor PLI scheme was revealed.

Highlights of Semiconductor PLI scheme • Semiconductor fabs and display fabs: Financial support of up to 50% of project cost for eligible applicants.

• Semi-conductor laboratory: The electronics ministry will take the required steps for the modernization of the semiconductor laboratory.

•

Compound semiconductor units: Financial support of up to 30% of capital expenditure.

• Semiconductor design companies: Design-linked incentives of up to 50% of eligible expenditure.

Silicon Labs Launches 3D Experience: New Virtual Platform To Showcase Wireless Technologies Enhancing Smart Homes.

Silicon Labs, a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world, has launched a first-of-its-kind 3D virtual smart home platform – an interactive journey that takes users through innovative smart home solutions, various applicable protocols, 54

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and ecosystem connections.

“The past two years overhauled the way we live, forcing us to spend most of our time at home and leading many to enhance their houses with new, modern applications

NEWS

for both practicality and aesthetics,” said Jake Alamat, vice president, and general manager, IoT Home & Life, Silicon Labs. “At Silicon Labs, we have believed in the power of the Internet of Things (IoT) and the smart home for a decade, propelling us to a leadership position in product simplicity, reliability, and robustness. Our foresight and ability to work with all protocols makes Silicon Labs an ideal partner for developers.”

Users can take a self-guided tour and explore three different uses cases: home security, home automation, and health, as well as the protocols and ecosystems they work with and connect to. The platform will continue to evolve in lockstep with Silicon Labs as new programs are launched with ecosystem partners and new products and applications are integrated to meet the world’s growing IoT needs.

The self-guided tour allows users to explore each area of the virtual home: the front door, kitchen, bathroom, and office, as well as their different applications and use cases, painting a full picture of an integrated smart home. Take the tour of the smartest home on the block at: https://solutions.silabs.com/homes/.

About Silicon Labs Silicon Labs is a leader in secure, intelligent wireless technology for a more connected world. Their integrated hardware and software platform, intuitive development tools, thriving ecosystem, and robust support make us an ideal long-term partner in building advanced industrial, commercial, home, and life applications. They make it easy for developers to solve complex wireless challenges throughout the product lifecycle and get to market quickly with innovative solutions that transform industries, grow economies, and improve lives. For more information please visit, silabs.com

VeSync To Showcase Their Smart Home Ecosystem at CES 2022 VeSync, the leading provider of smart home products, will showcase a few select products at the 2022 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). All three VeSync brands - Levoit, the number one selling air purifier brand in the United States*, Cosori, the number one selling air fryer brand** and Etekcity, the number one smart fitness scale brand** - are connected through the proprietary VeSync app. The app unifies the smart products across Vesync brands helping users build more connected lifestyles.

“At VeSync, our main goal is to help people stay connected, provide convenience and personalize smart experiences, focusing on ‘where innovation meets home.’ This emphasizes our position as a global technology company focused on helping users improve their home and day-to-day life through the offerings of our VeSync app,” says Grace Yang, Founder, and CEO of VeSync. “We are open to partnering with other brands in expanding their smart home ecosystem. By utilizing our VeSync app and technology, we can help develop their smart products’ capabilities and expand their IoT platforms. “ At CES 2022, VeSync will launch and demo three new products, highlighting the incorporation of smart home technologies across brands.

• The Cosori Dual Blaze Air Fryer, featuring 12 customizable functions in one air fryer. With the smart control technology, users can control the air fryer remotely, monitor cooking progress, and activate voice control with Amazon through the VeSync app.

• The Levoit Core 600S Smart True HEPA Air Purifier, the newest model in the Core Series, gives real-time air quality readings, allows users to control settings, create schedules, and access voice assistances such as Amazon Alexa to customize their indoor air quality.

• The Levoit EverestAir is the newest air purifier by Levoit. The CES demonstrations will allow guests the opportunity to test and learn about the Levoit Everest Air ahead of its official release.

“Since the start of the pandemic, there has been an increase in the amount of time families spend at home, and we are committed to making that transition more accessible, convenient, and healthier,” says Yang.

“From breathing clean air and preparing healthy food to achieving wellness goals, the VeSync brands have created a smart home ecosystem of smart products that allow users to complete those tasks from the palm of their hand with the VeSync app.”

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A café in the morning.

An office in the afternoon.

smart lighting & shade control system New Delhi | Mumbai | Bengaluru Tel: +91-124 439 1030 Toll-free: 1800 102 0093 Email: lutronindia@lutron.com Website: www.lutron.com/asia 56 SMARTHOME WORLD DECEMBER 2021 I

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A diner in the evening.