X10 Community Forum
🔌General Home Automation => Other Automation Systems => Topic started by: Alan V on May 10, 2011, 04:47:31 PM
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Looks like Google is getting into the Home Automation business (using a proprietary protocol). Their modules for lighting will be built into LED bulbs.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20061566-54.html?tag=cnetRiver (http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20061566-54.html?tag=cnetRiver)
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Gee going to be hard to control fans from an LED bulb. rofl
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It's obviously just the first step.
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It will be interesting to see the open source code!
That will allow interaction with x10 and expand everyones setup! :)%
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I find this very interesting, I think they'll do well. Does anyone have a link to the project so I can try it out or at least have something to take a look at?
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Looking at the link Alan V posted, this is a very early Google project that is not going to be Home Automation as X10 is.
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Not to rain on anyone's parade, but this is something a lot of companies are jumping into as well - Cisco is working on a "Smart Home" initiative, based primarily at saving power consumption, but you know where it could possibly lead. And before you go "Cisco? They are the network people, right?", they are but they are also driving a Smart Grid initiative with heavy government backing as well...
Bob
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now that's scary. Smartgrid shuts down your house, and it's beyond your control. thanks Cisco.
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Well, its not X10 based - so we're safe :)
Smart Grid is pretty damn cool I have to say - more than just PLC, also SCADA replacement, monitoring, the whole nine yards. I've done some of the demos of the earlier versions of Smart Home, and they are neat, but have a lot of potential - just not HA, mostly power management.
Bob
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Well, its not X10 based - so we're safe :)
Smart Grid is pretty damn cool I have to say - more than just PLC, also SCADA replacement, monitoring, the whole nine yards.
Yeah but, I don't like the idea of nanny gov/power company knowing when my AC, heat, water heater, pool pump, etc. are operating and can control them. Next, nanny gov will monitor how many times a day I flush the toilet, and will try and control that...come to think of it, they already are as far as that is concerned. You have to flush a low water toilet twice. That goverment mandate worked well.... :'
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Sorry, let me clarify. SmartGrid is the energy transmission system (and in the US at least not run by the gov't). From a critical infrastructure perspective the gov't is subsidizing innovatipn into making tge grid more reliable, etc. It does not interface with your home any more than your exusting meter does...
SmartHome is personal energy management, and connected devices - smart appliances, etc. Seperate and distinct from SmartGrid.
I used to work for a company that ran the trasmission system - the details on how the grid works is mind-bogglingly complex :)
Bob
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Sorry, let me clarify. SmartGrid is the energy transmission system (and in the US at least not run by the gov't). From a critical infrastructure perspective the gov't is subsidizing innovatipn into making tge grid more reliable, etc. It does not interface with your home any more than your exusting meter does...
SmartHome is personal energy management, and connected devices - smart appliances, etc. Seperate and distinct from SmartGrid.
I used to work for a company that ran the trasmission system - the details on how the grid works is mind-bogglingly complex :)
Bob
Well Bob, I have to disagree. Portions of SmartGrid may be needed to upgrade and protect the deteriorating current power grid, but to think that SmartGrid will not be able to control appliances indicate you do not understand where the govenment intends SG to go.
Directly from the DoE:
"Whirlpool, the world’s largest manufacturer and
marketer of major home appliances, has
announced that it plans to make all of its
electronically controlled appliances Smart Grid
compatible by 2015."
"GE’s smart appliances – or demand-response
appliances – include a refrigerator, range,
microwave, dishwasher and washer and dryer.
Currently running as a pilot program, these
appliances receive a signal from the utility
company’s smart meter, which alerts the
appliances – and the participants – when
peak electrical usage and rates are in effect."
You might think the government isn't running SmartGrid [today], but go to the DoE web site and do some heavy duty drill downs of the six books describing the SmartGrid plan. Consumer appliance control, dynamic hour by hour kWh pricing, electric vehicles in every garage, etc. etc. etc. are all part of the plan. They will probably have control of my toilet also. I just wish I could redirect the output.
http://www.oe.energy.gov/SmartGridIntroduction.htm
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Looking at the link Alan V posted, this is a very early Google project that is not going to be Home Automation as X10 is.
Maybe. Time will tell.
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/144384/20110512/google-android-home-android-home-automation-i-o-hardware-smartphone-tablet-potential-standards.htm (http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/144384/20110512/google-android-home-android-home-automation-i-o-hardware-smartphone-tablet-potential-standards.htm)