Z-Wave Long-Distance Demonstration of Home Control Is in the Books
Denver, Colorado (PRWEB) October 07, 2013 -- The lock unlocked, then locked. The light went on. The thermostat went down seven degrees. The accent LCD light behind the television illuminated.
Doesn't sound very exciting, and under normal circumstances, it wouldn't be. In fact, they sound like the kind of actions that would occur in a typical connected or "smart" home. But this wasn't the typical connected home. In fact, it wasn't a home at all -- far from it.
These actions took place in the Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion at CEDIA, the premier tradeshow in the residential electronic systems industry. The devices were being controlled by a Sigma Designs engineer named Mariusz Malkowski, using only his smartphone.
Still doesn't sound exciting? Well, it should be noted that while controlling the devices at CEDIA, Malkowski was standing in the dark on Mount Cho Oyu, the westernmost major peak of the Khumbu sub-section of the Mahalangur Himalaya, 20 kilometers west of Mount Everest. If that sounds a little more exciting, it was. In fact, given the 7,000+ miles between Malkowski and the devices he was controlling (from a mountain elevation of 7,200 meters, or about 23,600 feet), this was billed as the longest-distance demonstration of home automation ever recorded.
The purpose of the exercise -- officially titled the "Z-Wave Himalayan Expedition by Kwikset" -- was to demonstrate the dependability of Z-Wave technology and highlight the power of home automation. A large throng of show attendees, exhibitors, and media members watched as Malkowski performed the demonstration. A video screen was set up to watch him on the mountain as he operated the devices (weather conditions prohibited video, but audio was clear).
Kwikset, the leader in residential security, was the lead (Diamond) sponsor of the event. Additional sponsors included: Vivint (Platinum); Z-Wave Alliance (Platinum); Alarm.com (Gold); Fibaro (Gold); Remotec (Silver); and Z-Wave Products (Silver).
Keith Brandon, Kwikset's Director of Residential Access Solutions, was confident that the demonstration would occur without a hitch. "When I told people about the expedition and the demo, they doubted it could be done. They know that devices such as the Kwikset SmartCode Deadbolt with Home Connect technology can be controlled from incredible distances. But 7,000 miles away, on a snow-covered mountain? They didn't believe it. But everyone at the show who watched the lock open and all the other devices operate perfectly saw firsthand the power of home automation, as well as Z-Wave technology."
For full details of the expedition and Malkowski's adventure, visit the expedition's Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ZWaveHimalayanExpeditionByKwikset.
Karen Kirkland was the winner of the "Guess the Date" contest. In the contest, entrants were asked to guess the day and time that Malkowski would reach the summit of Cho Oyu. Kirkland came closest with her guess of September 30 at 3:00 p.m. She won a Kwikset SmartCode Deadbolt lock and a $500 gift certificate toward the purchase of Z-Wave products.
About the Z-Wave Alliance
Established in 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance is comprised of industry leaders throughout the globe dedicated to Z-Wave as the key enabling technology for 'smart' home and business applications. Representing a broad range of industries, channels and consumer touch points, the Z-Wave Alliance members all share a common goal -- to bring advanced, yet practical wireless products and services to market that work together seamlessly, regardless of brand or vendor. This interoperability between products and brands is unique to Z-Wave, which each Alliance member has adopted as its wireless technology of choice.
About Kwikset
Kwikset, the leader in residential security, manufactures and markets a complete line of door locks and door hardware, including door knobs, door levers, deadbolts, handlesets, pocket door hardware and electronic keyless entry locks for residential and light commercial applications. Kwikset’s SmartCode™ locks with Home Connect™ technology are the industry’s leading wireless, access control lock solution for the digital home.
Arthur Sesnovich, Bulldog Communications, http://www.bulldog-communications.com, +1 508 485 0776, [email protected]
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