Mygate Launches Lock Pro 2.0- India’s First Smart Lock with a Sixth Sense

Building on the widespread success of its smart lock range announced last year, Mygate, India’s leading security and community management platform, today announced the launch of the Lock Pro 2.0- a next-gen smart lock and India’s first with a built-in door sensor, designed to make everyday living more intuitive and secure.

As the only smart lock in India with an in-built sixth sense, the Lock Pro 2.0 can detect if the door is left open and instantly sends real-time notifications whenever the door opens or closes whether the user is at home or away. The new lock is designed to redefine home security and convenience with features like:

• Built-in door sensor: Receive instant alerts when the door opens, closes, or is left open
• Six ways to unlock: Fingerprint, PIN, Mygate app, OTP, RFID access card, or mechanical key
• Auto-lock: Automatically secures your door after a defined period of inactivity
• Timed access: Share one-time, recurring, or time-bound digital keys via WhatsApp, SMS, or email
• Anti-tamper security: Detects forced entry attempts and triggers an alarm, notifications to you, your emergency contacts, and even the security guard
• Emergency power port: USB Type-C port for jump-starting if battery is drained
• Battery life: A long lasting battery life of 10-12 months and timely alerts for low battery life via app and lock display
• Register up to 100 fingerprints: Manage access easily for family, friends, and staff
• Remote unlock with Wi-Fi Gateway (included): Unlock your door with a single tap and receive real-time access alerts

Specifically designed for Indian homes, the Lock Pro 2.0 is tailored for wooden doors (35mm–65mm thickness) and is compatible with both the Mygate Smart Devices App and the Mygate Community App, giving users the freedom to choose how they manage their smart home.

“The launch of this new lock variant is yet another step forward in our commitment to continuous innovation that simplifies and secures everyday life. With features like the sixth sense door sensor and the fastest processor in its class, the Lock Pro 2.0 reflects our vision of blending cutting-edge technology with intuitive design to deliver unmatched convenience, control, and peace of mind for modern households.” said Abhishek Kumar, Co-founder & CEO of Mygate.

Shreyans Daga, Co-founder & CTO, added, “At Mygate, we’re focused on building technology that solves real problems for consumers. The Lock Pro 2.0 isn’t just an upgrade- it’s our most advanced and thoughtfully designed smart lock yet. With a built-in door sensor that acts like a sixth sense and a precision fingerprint scanner for lightning-fast, reliable access, this product sets a new benchmark in smart home security. With this launch, we’re taking a significant leap forward in strengthening our smart home ecosystem by integrating engineered hardware with intelligent, user-centric software.”

Availability: The Mygate Lock Pro 2.0 is available in two elegant finishes- Obsidian Black at a discounted price of ₹29,990 (MRP ₹43,990) and Sunset Copper at ₹32,990 (MRP ₹47,990). Every purchase includes free installation, a 3-year warranty, a Wi-Fi Gateway for seamless remote access, making it easier than ever to upgrade to a smarter, more secure home.

Get an in-depth look at the features, design, and innovation behind the Mygate Lock Pro 2.0 here- https://youtu.be/Db3cJgi7jlY?si=VnGCpND27o1Raivn

For more information and to experience the future of home security, visit- https://shop.mygate.com/pdp/6810b3f75f1d851a03f75787?from=smartlocks&home=D2C

Amazon buy link- https://www.amazon.in/Mygate-Advanced-Biometric-Warranty-Obsidian/dp/

About Mygate

Mygate is a living experience technology company founded by Vijay Arisetty, Abhishek Kumar, and Shreyans Daga. Since 2016, the company has been building technology products and solutions to address nagging problems of everyday life.

Its community management app is now used by over 4 million residents of 25,000 societies across India. From visitor management & amenity booking to ERP & accounting — with over 250 features, it is the world’s most comprehensive community management platform.

The company has also entered the consumer devices space to develop a comprehensive ecosystem of smart home products. In September 2024, the company launched Mygate Locks, a range of smart door locks

Apple in Early Stage of Developing New Doorbell Camera to Foray Smart Home Market

Apple is reportedly working on a smart doorbell camera equipped with Face ID technology. This device is part of Apple's broader push into the smart home market and is expected to launch by late 2025.

This development is part of Apple's strategy to compete with established smart home devices from companies like Amazon and Google.

Apple is also rumored to be developing a smart home hub with a 6-inch touchscreen, similar to Google's Nest Hub and Amazon's Echo Hub, which will integrate Apple Intelligence and support FaceTime.

Notably, Apple already sells Aqara's Smart Video Doorbell G4, a versatile and feature-rich device designed to enhance home security and convenience. The G4 doorbell features on-device facial recognition, allowing you to customize "Welcome Home" scenes for each family member.

The Aqara doorbell supports Apple's HomeKit Secure Video, allowing users to view live and recorded video in the Apple Home app on their iPhones, iPads, and Macs. 

Possible Key features of The Smart-Doorbell

1. Face ID Technology: The doorbell camera will use facial recognition to unlock doors, similar to how Face ID works on iPhones.

2. Secure Enclave Chip: The device will incorporate Apple's Secure Enclave chip to securely store and process biometric data.

3. Proxima Chip: Apple's new wireless networking chip, Proxima, will ensure that Face ID-related images are processed locally on the device.

4. Compatibility: The doorbell camera is expected to work with third-party HomeKit smart locks, expanding its potential user base.

5. iCloud Integration: Data from the doorbell camera will be backed up to iCloud, providing an additional layer of security and potentially boosting Apple's subscription revenues.

This doorbell camera is part of Apple's broader strategy to expand its smart home offerings, including new smart home cameras, displays, and possibly even a smart home control device.

It is to be noted that as of now, Apple hasn't made any official statement regarding the development of a smart doorbell camera with Face ID. The information available comes from reports by industry analysts like Mark Gurman, who mentioned the project in his newsletter.

Besides this, it is reported that the Apple's HomePod mini smart speaker will receive upgrades, including the new Proxima chip for better wireless connectivity and support for the Thread standard, which links smart home products wirelessly.

Further, Apple is also introducing a new operating system called homeOS, which will serve as a common platform for its smart home devices, including the HomePod and Apple TV.

Apple is also working on smart displays and tabletop robots, further expanding its smart home ecosystem.

Samsung Launches Spatial AI-based 3D Map View in All Countries

Applies to TVs and home appliances to make smart home control much easier, and expands service area worldwide, strengthening SmartThings experiences

Samsung Electronics today announced that it has launched its 3D Map View feature, which was first unveiled at CES 2024 and is now available in all countries with SmartThings access.

Map View streamlines home management by turning real floor plans into virtual images in the SmartThings app. Users can clearly see their devices and conveniently adjust lighting, temperature, air quality and energy consumption at any time and place.

Map View addresses the challenge of managing the growing number of connected devices in every home worldwide and eases smart home management by eliminating the need to find each device separately before using it. It shows users their entire home at a glance and updates in real time as more devices are connected.

Map View’s previous version was a 2D model that only worked for homes where the floor plan was provided. However, this newly updated 3D Map View takes advantage of Spatial AI in Samsung devices — such as the Bespoke Jet Bot™ — using LiDAR¹ sensors in the device to precisely measure and map a home’s layout. Now, users can more easily understand the shape and spatial conditions of their homes on 3D maps.

The feature has also enhanced its filter function to allow for more efficient monitoring and control of required devices. It aims to offer a more customized and user-friendly smart service by using AI characters, which were also unveiled at CES 2024, by the end of the year.

Availability

Map View is available through the SmartThings app on Android and iOS mobile devices², as well as TVs³. Controls for the feature will also be made available through additional hubs, such as Family Hub™ refrigerators⁴, within the first half of the year.

Initially, Map View was rolled out in Korea and the United States last year. But now, it can be used in all countries with access to the SmartThings app.

“Samsung is constantly working to enable customers to control their home devices without any inconvenience at any time and place, and Map View is the result of these efforts,” said Seungbeom Choi, Head of Device Platform Center at Samsung Electronics. “We will continue to introduce a variety of relevant services and features so our customers can enjoy optimal smart home experiences with a better life.”

Samsung is currently collaborating with construction companies to expand Map View beyond homes to apartments and office spaces. The company aims to help create smart environments for customers worldwide by adding functionality. These include an optimized user experience (UX) for large screens that assists B2B operators with signage, and Quick Control, which enables users to easily access key functions.

¹ Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors use laser light to detect objects in 3D for the accurate representation of environments.

² Android OS 9.0 ↑ with minimum of 6GB RAM / iOS 15↑ with minimum of 6GB RAM and 792 x 828 resolution.

³ Samsung Smart TV released after 2024 (DU 7000↑)

⁴ 4 Family Hub™ refrigerators; Some models released after 2021/ More detailed required specifications will be disclosed at the time of application.

Transforming Your Ordinary Appliances Into Smart Devices with Philips Smart Wi-Fi Plug

Signify (Euronext: LIGHT), the world leader in lighting, has announced the launch of its Philips Smart Wi-Fi Plug that can help you upgrade your ordinary appliances into smart devices effortlessly. Simply plug in your appliance into the smart plug and control them remotely using the WiZ app on your smartphone or with voice control (Amazon Alexa/Google Home).

The Philips Smart Wi-Fi Plug is designed to seamlessly integrate into your smart home ecosystem and make your everyday life simpler and smarter. You can now control your devices from anywhere in the world, so even if you forget to switch off your air conditioner after leaving home, you can now check and switch it off remotely using the WiZ app.

It also lets you monitor the energy consumption of your devices and set schedules to turn them on and off at set times of the day. So now you can switch on your geyser without getting out of your bed in the morning and catch those extra minutes of sleep.

The Philips Smart Wi-Fi Plug enables you to upgrade your appliances to smart, without the extra cost and hassle of buying smart appliances. Now bring convenience, safety, and smart control into your home and experience the ease of scheduling, remote control, and energy savings in a stylish and reliable package.

Consumer Hardware Startup Upliance.ai Among the World’s 1st to Integrate ChatGPT Into Home Appliances

• upliance.ai’s (Up⤴️) proprietary AI and ChatGPT together makes it easy for anyone to cook on their smart cooking assistant, delishUp⤴️.
• The AI enabled chat assistance makes it possible to customise recipes, offer support and suggestions, empowering anyone to begin cooking.
• The delishUp⤴️ now offers generative recipes as a part of this new AI feature, released as beta.

Consumer Hardware startup, upliance.ai (Up⤴️) is all set to roll out the the integration of ChatGPT — the most talked-about technological advancement of the year — into their flagship product, the delishUp⤴️. Upliance.ai (Up⤴️) becomes one of the world's first companies to incorporate ChatGPT into a home appliance, revolutionising the way consumers interact with technology in their everyday lives.

delishUp⤴️, India's first smart cooking assistant, is making home cooking easier for young Indian homes. The appliance's Smart Jar not only can heat and cook food but also automates chopping and stirring ingredients for a variety of dishes from gravies to one-pot meals. With 250+ guided recipes displayed on an interactive 8-inch touchscreen, owners only need to add ingredients as prompted to cook their meals. This drastically reduces the hassles of cooking for new cooks, with delishUp⤴️ doing everything from supporting in recipe selection and cutting ingredients to automating heating and stirring. delishUp⤴️ was built on the startup’s proprietary AI framework, Up⤴️AI, to control and manage hardware functionality and recipe accuracy. Up⤴️AI with ChatGPT now has encompassing knowledge of food, ingredients and recipes and can make generative and responsive suggestions to all cooking prompts and needs.

This integration is a testament to upliance.ai’s (Up⤴️) commitment to democratising cooking and transforming Indian households into "smart" homes. By incorporating ChatGPT into the upliance, delishUp⤴️ has exponentially increased what one can accomplish in their kitchens. The “upliance” aims to level up young Indians who are looking to cook more often at home, but don’t know how to cook or lack the time to do it everyday. This integration has not only expanded what one could be eating at home everyday but has also given it’s owners the ability to customise and tailor these recipes according to their preference or lifestyle.

Commenting on the latest upgrade, Up⤴️’s CEO and Co-Founder Mahek Mody said, “With the delishUp⤴️, our mission has always been to get more homes in India cooking, and the integration of ChatGPT into the delishUp⤴️ is a major step in that direction. We wanted our owners to have the ability to cook what they wanted at whim. Food is deeply personal, and we understand that everyone has different needs and preferences when it comes to cooking. By integrating Up⤴️AI with ChatGPT, we can now cater to the varied needs, requirements and preferences of our owners. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of bringing truly smart and connected technology to Indian homes”

Upgraded Features:

AI Chatbot Assistance: The AI powered “Up⤴️Bot” enables owners to seek cooking tips, receive assistance with modifying recipes during cooking and clarify doubts. The Up⤴️Bot can offer suggestions on customising existing recipes on the upliance to suit dietary needs and preferences. Examples of customisation include making recipes vegan, sugar-free and low calorie. Additional features also include speech recognition.

AI Assisted Generative Recipes (Beta): In addition to the 200+ in-built recipes, owners can now also request any recipe they desire. Owners can generate trending recipes from social media or a recipe they have seen on their favourite cooking show, or request for a recipe with an unusual combination of ingredients, the delishUp⤴️ will generate a recipe for it.

Up⤴️ is disrupting India's home technology industry with its category-defining ‘upliance’. The company aims to be in 1.5 lakh homes across the country by the end of the year, with a revenue target of INR 150 crores by FY25. Up⤴️ closed its pre-seed funding round of $1.5 million in 2022, with participation from Zerodha's funding arm - Rainmatter, Rukam Capital, Draper Associates, co-founders of Ather Energy and Unacademy, as well as mini angel investors. Deliveries of delishUp⤴️ began in January 2023 and is currently priced at only INR 21,999. It is the only Made in India AI enabled cooking assistant available for young Indian homes. 

About Up⤴️:

Founded by IIT Bombay alumni, Mahek Mody, ex-Chief of Staff at Ather Energy and Mohit Sharma, ex-Head of Engineering at Chaayos, Up⤴️ designs and manufactures contemporaryx smart and connected consumer appliances. While working with Ather Energy, Mahek helped define the Ather 450x as a product and a platform. Mohit, Co-founder and CTO, was leading the engineering team at Chaayos. He helped the team at Chaayos build their own proprietary chai-making machines from scratch. Together they aim at enabling Indians to level up their daily lives through innovative products which will transform the mundane into something special. Their first upliance, delishUp⤴️ began deliveries in January 2023 and is currently priced at only INR 21,999. It is the only Made in India AI enabled cooking assistant available for young Indian homes. Up⤴️ is heralding the shift to home cooking, even for those with no experience in the kitchen, and is inviting everyone to participate in the experience, with a home trial at INR 499 in Bengaluru and virtual demos for other cities.

https://www.upliance.ai

zunpulse Partners With Livspace Changing the Real Estate Landscape With Fully Automated Homes

Business Wire India
zunpulse, the fastest growing smart home automation brand, partners with Livspace, India’s leading home interiors and renovation platform, as they foray into fully automated homes, introducing a silver glow to the real estate industry.
 
Through this partnership, zunpulse will offer its Smart Home Automation Product Range across Livspace real estate projects for its existing and new customers. zunpulse is ZunRoof Tech Private Limited’s fastest growing brand launched in September 2020 and has already sold over 1,00,000 IoT devices. Owing to the fast paced growth of this brand clubbed with Livspace’s excellent market penetration in the home space, this collaboration is being seen as the cornerstone for the changing landscape of the real estate market.
 
The partnership is aimed at strengthening the two pillars - comfort and convenience - of the home space market as zunpulse and Livspace foray into the emerging smart home empire together. Home owners will now be empowered with impeccable user experience as they are offered the future of living with state-of-the-art fully automated smart homes.
 
Livspace smart homes are to be veneered with zunpulse range of products consisting of zunpulse Smart Plug, zunpulse Smart Camera, zunpulse Smart AC remote, zunpulse Smart Security System equipped with a motion sensor, the door sensor, and a siren to sound alarm, zunpulse Smart Video doorbell, zunpulse Smart TV remote and zunpulse Smart LED Bulbs.
 
These smart homes will equip the home owners with multiple layers of security, control, automation and convenience through the plug and play devices. The devices are compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant  and can be controlled with a single app on the mobile phone. The zunpulse mobile App is available on Play Store and App Store. The range of smart home products start at a steal price of INR 990/-.
 
Commenting on the partnership, Saurabh Jain, Chief Business Officer, Livspace said, “Over the past few years, digital technologies and connected devices have disrupted the way people interact with their home space. This trend further accelerated last year, as people spent more and more time at home and realised the value of smart home solutions, from safety and security to time saving. As leaders in the home renovation and interiors space, these developments have opened new opportunities to provide innovative and seamless services to our customers. Through this partnership with zunpulse, Livspace will continue to offer our existing and potential customers a one-stop integrated solution to create and power smart homes.”
 
“The new age technology from the 21st century has catapulted the adoption of fully integrated and automated homes. It is a booming trend in the real estate space and we are proud to partner with Livspace in this initiative. With the help of IoT, we are aiming to provide end to end automation for the Livspace homes and bring convenience and control to the homeowners. We are thrilled with this collaboration as it is an exciting touch of reality for us to see home owners experience these products - crafted and designed for their comfort,” added Pranesh Chaudhary, Founder and CEO at zunpulse.
 
Owing to the pandemic and the changing global scenario the introduction of smart homes has accelerated and zunpulse is investing heavily in resources to realize a massive expansion of its existing wide range of products to introduce products such as smart door lock, smart air purifier, smart mopper and smart fans that will strengthen the smart home experience. With Livspace and zunpulse committing to make this a significant move in the smart home automation category, the world can expect to see the smart homes come alive in the Indian real estate market at a significant pace. 

KNX System: Here’s Why it Seamlessly Makes Home Automation a Reality of Today

Our fast-paced world calls for smart technology. Today, people look forward to investing in products and services that are easily manageable and save them time. Smart technology can have a mind of its own though; it carries the potential to change the face of homes, companies, and industries. With swift development in science, experts have consistently been trying to develop innovative technological solutions that reduce human effort and function independently. One such technological innovation is the KNX home automation system. It is a system that will revolutionize the way you live by transforming the way your home functions. It will bring a striking change in the quality of your life.

KNX is a network communication system that strives to enhance home automation with technology-driven functions and an improved user interface. In the KNX system, various devices like a shutter, lights, blinds, security systems etc., are intelligently interlinked with each other with a heightened level of productivity. This increases the efficiency of communication between these devices so that most of their tasks can be carried out in sync. Furthermore, KNX systems are also inclusive of smart panels.

As we all know, energy consumption is essential for every building, in every sector. A smart panel ensures that there is no unnecessary fluctuation, which can potentially lead to harmful consequences. A smart panel distributes electricity evenly to make this happen. KNX system comprises different home controls that ensure there is no energy wastage, and as a consequence, it automatically saves money in the most economical way possible. Below are some benefits of deploying the KNX home automation system:

1. The Technology of the Future

The KNX system is an innovative technology designed by experts, and it competently attempts to serve the modern generation by fulfilling the challenges of the future. It is a robust home automation solution that can be deployed in every home, irrespective of its size and type, making life easier, smarter, safer and more convenient. This technology might seem a little on the expensive side in the beginning but shows great results in the long run.

2. Simplicity and Convenience

One of the best things about the KNX home automation system is that it is extremely simple to use. Even though it delivers smart and impressive solutions, the interface is lucid enough to understand for anyone. It raises your standard of living and makes life convenient by automating everything in your home, from switching off lights when not in use to taking care of your home's security while you are not at home.

3. Flexibility and Personalization

Earlier, flexibility was completely alienated from automation systems. But with the KNX home automation system, you can rest assured about flexibility and personalization. Before investing in a KNX home automation system, you do not have to think twice about compatibility and personalization. KNX home automation system features enhanced home control while making it energy-efficient.

4. Integrated Solution

KNX home automations systems can easily be installed in both simple and complex structures. This system erases the challenge of isolated devices by curating a common language for all components, ensuring a smooth trail of communication between all the installed devices. Moreover, KNX installation carries elasticity that can be easily augmented and altered to fulfil all the requirements within minimum time and financial investment.

KNX home technological evolution doesn’t come with a complex manual to follow. Therefore, by utilising this home automation solution, you can transform the way your home functions. Moreover, it has the capability of changing the quality of your life. While leaders in energy and building management are already doing their bit by making extensive research and development efforts in smart homes, we can rest assured of experiencing a significant technological evolution.

Wozart Launches Affordable Smart Home Devices to Help Save Energy in Indian Homes

Business Wire India

• Wozart Smart devices will keep you connected to your home from anywhere, anytime.
• Wozart Smart devices are designed, engineered, and assembled out of India with the goal to increasing energy efficiency in homes for a sustainable future while providing never seen before convenience.

 
Wozart provides India’s most advanced smart home solution that makes home a voice-controlled, secure, and energy-efficient smart home. Wozart made its foray into smart home devices in May 2018 with its first product, Aura Switch, a Switch Controller that fits behind standard switchboard and enables control of connected appliances and lights through voice and touch using phones, tablets, speakers, televisions, and more.

After bringing innovative products for switch control, this time the company is all geared up to launch products for smart lighting, curtains, gates, sensors, and universal remotes. Wozart’s products are easy to install, simple to use, and interoperable with all the major smart home ecosystems in the world - Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings, all in parallel, thus making Wozart’s solution the most widely interoperable smart home solution in the world and providing compatibility with thousands of third-party products.
 
Wozart’s smart devices are retrofittable into existing homes – they can be installed without requiring any changes to home’s electrical wiring.
 
Appliances can be customised by name, location and controlled through Siri, Alexa, the Google Assistant, Bixby, the Apple Home app as well as the Wozart app in addition to the physical switches.
 
The key noteworthy features of the Wozart’s smart home solution are:

Voice Control:
Say simple voice commands like “Hey Siri, turn off the lights” or “Ok Google, it’s Movie-Time” and watch the home respond.
 
Scheduling & Location-based triggers:
Set the house on auto-pilot mode by scheduling frequently used appliances such as geysers, air conditioners, and lights. With Wozart, a user can automatically trigger appliances and lights based on his/her phone’s location. The home pre-cools itself and be at the right temperature as you step in and also saves energy by switching off all non-essential appliances when the last person leaves the geo-fence around the home. Attend to essential and important things in life while Wozart takes care of your home.

Mood based controls:
Set the perfect ambience at the right time by creating scenes that allows control of multiple appliances and lights instantly with a single tap or a command. Be it an exciting game night or a flamboyant house party, set the desired ambience in a snap.

Remote & Shared Access:
With the Wozart app & AI-powered voice assistants, you can control and monitor your home from anywhere, anytime, and using any smart device. Invite friends and family to access your home by sending a simple invite on the Wozart app or the Apple Home app.

Wireless and Compact design:
The ergonomic design of the products make installation hassle-free with no rewiring. With a hub-less architecture, Wozart devices are modular and can be used to automate any scenario, from a single Switch to a complete building.

Talking about the new launch, Manoj Malineni, CEO of Wozart said, “Wozart’s devices and software are designed to offer a world-class smart home experience at affordable prices to Indian consumers. After extensive research and development, we have built a future-proof product range that works with all the major smart home ecosystems; Apple HomeKit, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung SmartThings. We are excited to see how our customers take advantage of the technology we have developed to build futuristic spaces to live in.”

Starting today, Wozart’s new products; Switch Controller, Switch Controller Mini, Smart Plug, LED Orchestrator, and Motor Controller can be purchased at www.wozart.com/shop.

The products retail at a starting price of just ₹2,999 and the basic solution to automate a 3 BHK home starting at ₹25,000.
 
To learn more about the Wozart products, please visit - www.wozart.com

Convert Your Old Samsung Galaxy Phones Into Smart-Home Device with New Software Update

Samsung has announced a launch of a new software update that will allow consumers to convert their older Galaxy smartphones to various types of Internet of Things (IoT) devices under the company's initiative called Galaxy 'Upcycling at Home', an initiative that gives new life to older Galaxy smartphones by converting them into a variety of IoT (Internet of Things) devices through a simple software update.

The feature will be available for all Galaxy S, Note and Z smartphones that were released from 2018 onwards and run Android 9 and above. More devices will be supported under the programme in the future.

This feature is part of Samsung Electronics' expansion of its Galaxy Upcycling program with Galaxy Upcycling at Home, which provides enhanced sound and light-control features, by repurposing built-in sensors. Users can transform their old devices through SmartThings Labs, a feature within the SmartThings app. 

The devices can be turned into smart home devices such as a childcare monitor, a pet care solution, or a light sensor, the report said.

Samsung has implemented the beta service for Galaxy Upcycling at Home in the US, the UK and Korea1 today. With Galaxy Upcycling at Home, users can easily turn their old Galaxy devices2 into smart home devices like a childcare monitor, a pet care solution and other tools that meet individual lifestyle needs.

Make Any Home a Smart Home

• Using an improved artificial intelligence (AI) solution, Galaxy devices can more accurately distinguish sounds in everyday surroundings, and users can choose to save certain sound recordings. For example, if the device detects sounds such as a baby crying, dog barking, cat meowing, or a knock, it will send an alert directly to the user’s smartphone and the user can listen to the recorded sound.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Devices can also be used as a light sensor to measure the brightness level of the room. Users can easily set the device to automatically turn on the lights or the TV through SmartThings if the room becomes darker than the preset standard of light.
  
  
  
  
  
  

For a device to continuously detect sound and light, it needs to be actively operating for long periods of time. For this reason, Samsung equipped the Galaxy Upcycling at Home upgrade with battery optimization solutions to minimize battery usage. Devices will also be able to connect effortlessly to SmartThings, allowing them to interact with countless other IoT devices in the SmartThings ecosystem.

Angel Platform Inflection Point Ventures invests in IoT Startup Eden Smart Homes

• First institutional round raised by the Company
• 11th investment by IPV since March this year
• IPV emerges as one of the most active angel platforms in India continuing with deals even during the pandemic
• Funds raised to be used for launching new product lines and scaling up sales and marketing efforts
• Founded by IIT Delhi students, present across 5 cities in India

Inflection Point Ventures, one of India’s most active angel platforms has invested an undisclosed amount in Eden Smart Homes. This marks IPV’s 11^th investment since March this year.

Started in 2018, Eden Smart Homes is an IoT startup which has a range of smart homes solutions. The funds raised will be used for launching new product lines and scaling up sales and marketing operations to acquire more customers.

Vinay Bansal, Founder & CEO, Inflection Point Ventures says, “We are known to back great founders with great business models with a sustainable growth path. With the ease with which all of us are embracing technology and the Smart City projects currently underway, there is a demand for IoT enabled homes. Eden has been able to position themselves as an aspirational product for Indian households as the disposable income rises. We believe that their fast and seamless technology coupled with a promise of power savings will wow their customer segment."

Eden Homes was launched with an aim to develop an indigenous and cost effective smart home automation system. Eden's solution includes monitoring power consumption, the ability to view real-time status of appliances, scheduling on and off times for appliances and creating custom scenarios. Also, one-button control of the entire smart home makes them an attractive smart home solution in the market where there is currently no clear leader.

Pranjal Kacholia, Co-Founder of Eden Smart Homes says, “We aim to become India’s leading IoT company in the next 3 years. In India, the smart home market is expected to be $8 billion by 2023 and we aim to be one of the well-known brands in this segment. Our product helps save power significantly in both the residential and commercial segment. To have investors like IPV, which can leverage their huge network strength to not only sign cheques but also help us scale up our business quickly makes this a win-win partnership."

Eden Smart Homes is currently present across 5 cities in India. Eden Smart Homes will be using the funds raised to set up their distribution channel across 30 major cities for driving more business in the Home segment. The Company is also in talks with large brands and SMEs to license a part of their technology for bundle up sales and even listing it online on targeted platforms for better visibility to the customers.

About Eden Smart Homes

Eden was founded in 2018 by two IIT Delhi students with an aim to build advanced innovative IoT solutions for India’s Home and Office Automation industry.  The team consists of young founders who bring in a perfect blend of technology and business acumen.

About Inflection Point Ventures

Inflection Point Ventures is an initiative of accomplished CXOs & Angel Investors who firmly believe that ‘Everyone can Grow with Startups’. Started in 2018, IPV has invested more than Rs 100 crore across 35+ startups. IPV’s investors’ base, currently at 2500+ is seeing a massive influx of highly accomplished CXOs and HNIs, looking to invest in startups with rational valuation and sustainable business model.

Hero Electronix Introduces 'Qubo Shield': An All in One Smart Home Security System for Indian Consumers

• 2 AI-powered smart security kits being launched which are suitable for apartments, villas, shops & Small businesses.


• State-of-the-art Alarm System & Callback Response Mechanism to ensure the complete security.


• With Qubo's Q-Crypto technologies, there is no worry of data leakages as the recording back-up on cloud remains in servers based out of India


• Backed by the trust of Hero Group - Hero Electronix will also provide round the clock support to consumers and onsite support with 1 year Warranty.

Hero Electronix, a Hero Group company which forayed into the consumer technology market in 2019 with the launch of Qubo connected smart devices has launched Qubo Shield, A New Age Smart Security Solution which is designed to look out for your loved ones and valuables 24X7 so that you can have peace of mind whether you are home or away. Qubo Shield is the smartest home security solution available in the market which provides end-to-end security across all aspects of the home. It guards you against all kinds of threats whether it is an external threat like intrusion & theft or a threat caused by a safety hazard like Fire & Gas Leakages. Unlike other offerings in the market which are restricted to only intrusion alarm systems, this kit comes with an intrusion alarm system, set of cameras & smart sensors all packed in a single solution. Plus, all this will be managed through a single Qubo App, hence offering a seamless experience to a user.

Qubo Shield is able to instantaneously sense a threat or a hazard, notifies you in real-time, enables you to verify what's happening and deter unwanted threats and accidents. How this kit works uniquely is:

Senses: Powered with breakthrough AI, Qubo Cameras and Smart Security Sensors look out for the unwanted dangers 24X7.

Alerts: The moment something needs your attention, Qubo notifies you immediately through Qubo App. You are also alerted via a phone call in the event of critical security or safety breaches.

Deters: In the event of a breach, Qubo Smart Indoor Camera's built-in Alarm system helps prevent an escalation promptly. Qubo App enables you to remotely verify what's happening and take charge.

Qubo Shield is a revolutionary offering designed exclusively for the Indian market and is highly differentiated in the category it operates. It is way ahead of the current competition offerings. What makes it really unique is:

Wire-Free Quick Set-up: These security kits are an easy to use DIY installation which requires no wiring, drilling etc and can be installed in minutes.

Ease of Usage: All the devices in the kit can be operated by a single application on your phone, or by the simple use of Voice command through Alexa.

Data security and privacy: With Qubo's Q-Crypto technologies, there is no worry of data leakages as streaming is 100% secured with AES128 Encryption. Data transmission and storage also complies with the highest global standards of cryptographic algorithms and security.

Cloud-based out of India: Your recording back-up on cloud remains in servers based out of India. Keeping your data in the country safe.

Intelligent Alerts with Phone Call follow-up: Get alerted via phone call in the event of critical security or safety breaches. Making the solution fail proof.

Trust of Hero Group: In order to ensure round the clock support, Hero Electronix will also provide dedicated experts to answer any queries you may have. Plus, Onsite support with 1-year Warranty.

Configurable Solution: The Qubo Shield comes built-in with 3 configurable security modes designed to secure you even if you are away from your home. Home Mode enables users to guard their homes in their presence, Away Mode puts sensors and cameras on high alerts in case you are away from your home to inform users in real-time in case of an emergency and Night Mode provides just the right amount of security for the night so that the users can have a sound sleep.

Qubo Shield is designed to support varied needs and different styles of living. Our Q-Experts will assist you in choosing just the right kit for your needs. The security kit comes in 2 variants Qubo Shield Starter Pack and Qubo Shield Medium pack. The starter pack comprises Qubo Smart Indoor Camera, Smoke Sensor, Gas Sensor and 2 Door/Window sensors. The Qubo Shield Medium pack comprises the above along with the newly launched Qubo Smart Home Security Camera.

With the launch of Qubo Shield. Hero Electronix is committed to its vision of not only launching more than 10 smart products across Home Automation, Automotive and Entertainment domains but also providing affordable AI-based solutions to Indian consumers across all price points.

Announcing the new product launch, Ujjwal Munjal, Founder Director, Hero Electronix, said, "At Hero Electronix, we have been constantly innovating in the space of AI-driven technologies with our strong R&D team. Today I am excited to announce the Launch of Qubo Shield - An All in One Smart Home Security System for Indian Consumers which is designed to smartly solve the security needs of all kinds of multi-generation consumers."

Commenting on the launch, Nikhil Rajpal, CEO, Hero Electronix, said, "Our vision is to introduce breakthrough AI-powered innovative products to the masses at accessible price points. With the launch of Qubo Shield, we are providing an all-encompassing home security solution that is reliable, smart and easy to use. Existing home security solutions are cumbersome and inaccessible to many. Qubo Shield is tailored to the needs of Indian households all the while ensuring data privacy of the users."

Qubo Shield starter pack and medium pack will be available at an MRP of Rs. 25,490 and Rs. 29,780 respectively across leading online and retail outlets starting from tomorrow onwards.

As per market estimates, the projected size of the smart home/security market in India is expected to touch $6 billion by 2022 and $53 billion globally.

To learn more about the products, please visit: www.quboworld.com.

To learn more about Hero Electronix, please visit: www.heroelectronix.com.

About Hero Electronix

Hero Electronix is the Hero Group's venture into the technology space with a vision to create leading technology businesses emerging out of India. Our aim is to create a $1Bn+ business in 5 years by standing up 4-5 verticals. We plan to do this by investing in businesses that are attempting to take advantage of one or more of the following massive opportunities before us Digital disruption, the rise in technology and electronics consumption in India and Government focus on Make in India.

French Audio Brand ZOOOK Debuts into Smart Home Automation Segment

French Audio Brand ZOOOK a pioneer in innovative consumer technology products marks its entry into the smart home automation segment with the launch of ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100. The Wi-Fi CCTV camera is built to provide all-round surveillance with 360-degree pan and 90-degree tilt capabilities with 4x digital zoom. The ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 is a full HD 2MP camera sporting SD card storage upto 128 GB. The camera can be enabled through Wi-Fi as well as Lan and various features can be controlled via a smartphone.

The device can be connected with Amazon Alexa and users can also operate ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 with voice commands. Leveraging AI capabilities the camera-equipped to capture and send alert basis motion detection. ZOOOK is planning to launch multiple devices catering to the IoT Smart Home Automation Segment in the coming months.

[caption id="attachment_141350" align="alignleft" width="281"] ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100[/caption]

The Security Alarm feature in the camera works in sync with motion detection and the loud alarm is blared obstructing unwelcoming activities. ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 has been designed for powerful in-house monitoring abilities. Its users can avail the benefits of this device with or without their absence for multiple scenarios such as staying updated with whereabouts of the pet monitoring elderly parents service staff children infants and many other scenarios. ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 is also useful in capturing pleasant moments which the users can cherish for life.

The in-built microphone and speaker in the device enable two-way communication (i.e.) the user can listen as well as communicate via camera. Other notable features of the Cam are cloud storage facility and 4x digital zoom capability to enlarge the images as per requirement and night vision feature to capture video during night time with crystal clarity. Also the camera is equipped with ultra-compressed recording which allows the users to store 10 days backup in only 32 GB micro SD card in advanced mode. The camera however can support upto 128 GB storage. The product also provides 7 types of notification ringtones along with vibration option which can work without Router with Cameras Wi-Fi - for local usage.

On the launch of ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100Mr. Achin Gupta Country Head - India at ZOOOKsaid The smart home device market in India is growing exponentially and is slated to reach at US$2318m by 2024. We are delighted to expand our product line and embrace the emerging category. ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 is the first product developed under this category and similar to the other products by ZOOOK we promise to deliver innovative smart devices to our consumers at a reasonable cost.

ZOOOKs ability to offer best-in-class products alongside the timeless design concepts will further allow the company to hit the sweet spot in the burgeoning market of smart home and IOT based devices. For now you can grab a ZOOOK Eagle Cam 100 at Rs. 2599/- on Amazon.You can log on to www.amazon.in/Zoook-1920x1080P-Wireless-Security-Detection/dp/B082Q1TN7P to buy one.

About ZOOOK

ZOOOK was conceptualized in the early 2000s in France. ZOOOK India came into existence in 2014 with a vision that life is too short to be boring. They are game-changers in the world of technology and have the power to give any personal space an instant makeover. They are already on their way to break stereotypes open doors and explore the fantastic. The company has a strong brand presence across online and offline trade channels - retail stores direct dealer channels and e-commerce websites across the world.

blurams enters India Market to disrupt Smart Home Industry

blurams, leading provider of advanced, intelligent imaging technologies, products, services and platforms announces its entry in the Indian Market to disrupt the Smart Home Industry. The brand plans to launch their array of innovative product in India, ranging from Rs. 1699 to Rs. 8299.

The company is widely acknowledged for its Smart AI and Edge Computing core technologies, paired with years of experience that enables blurams to develop modular and complete security solutions for business, retail, smart fleet and consumer needs.  The company advocates technological advancement & product experience, and has built the advantages on end-to-end integrated solutions in image processing, computer vision and cloud computing, etc.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Kun CAI, blurams said “India’s smart home devices market is on an upswing. While completely automated homes are a distant reality, smart home devices like surveillance cameras, are gaining good momentum in the country.”

“We are certain to establish blurams in the Indian market with our competitive solutions, products and services. We have established high trust and credibility with consumers and clients globally, and we are committed to continuously delivering best user-experience at disruptive prices to the Indian consumers as well”

The company has also tied up with Staunch, one of the largest omni channel retail and distribution companies in India in order to capture significant market share in the online retail space leveraging Staunch’s expertise.

Commenting on the same, Mr. Nishant Choudhary, AVP, Sales and Marketing, Staunch stated “The smart home market in India has grown significantly in the last few years. Looking at the scenario, having a well-orchestrated retail strategy will help them set up a strong ground at this nascent stage, when there are a handful of players leveraging the market potential. With an effective retail strategy in place we are expected to see multifold growth of the blurams in India”

“We are very glad that blurams has chosen us and we are working on an extensive retail strategy for them by leveraging omnichannel retail presence. We will assist the brand right from Marketing Strategies to choosing right retail marketplace to pricing the product accordingly”

About blurams

blurams is a leading, international provider of advanced, intelligent imaging technologies, products, services and platforms. blurams advocates user experience and technological innovation and are dedicated to make everyone live a carefree life.

Panasonic to Launch Assistive Robots and other Smart IoT Products in India

Since the start of 2018, Japanese electronics and technology giant Panasonic is continuously advancing in its robotics, automation and Internet of Things (IoT) strategies including both IoT-based products as well as services and solutions.

In a first in India, Panasonic is looking to launch two of its latest assisted robotic products in India by early next year. This includes a robot that can carry luggage and the other one is assisted-walking robot which the company wants to launch in hospitals before selling to the consumer market.

For its robotics products, Panasonic will initially target hospitals in India and then eventually take these for B2C (business to consumer) market sales in the country.

Panasonic first unveiled its autonomous delivery robots for hospitals called HOSPI, in 2015. A part of the company's hospital porter management system, HOSPI robot is able to deliver (up to 20kg) fragile and bulky medicine, medical specimens and patients' case notes 24/7, easing manpower constraints.

[caption id="attachment_127165" width="750" align="aligncenter"] HOSPI - An Assistive Robot for Hospitals[/caption]

For its India strategy, Panasonic wants to create a complete IoT product ecosystem by launching a slew of new IoT-based products like location trackers and mobile handsets. The company is also developing new IoT products and solutions based on Artificial intelligence (AI). These IoT products will be developed at the company's Innovation Centre in Bengaluru, that it had opened in May last year.

For next 5 years, Panasonic is investing a total Rs 240 crores in its Bengaluru centre and a part of this investment will be utilized for solutions of its digital assistant Arbo. In August last year, Panasonic had launched its first AI-based smartphones India, that comes with Arbo, the virtual assistant .

The products made at Bengaluru centre will not only be for India but also for Asia, Middle East and Africa.

Panasonic is also aiming to work with developers and form tie-ups with technology companies to build AI-specific solutions and IoT products in India.

“We are looking out for partners. It would be extremely difficult for any organization not only Panasonic to look at these kinds of developments in isolation…it's an era where masters of trades are needed. However, the core technology has to come from your side," said Manish Sharma, President and CEO, Panasonic India, to Economic Times.

Additionally, the company is also on verge of launching a competitor product for Amazon Alexa and Google Home. This home automation product however will be based on Alexa platform.

Source - cnbctv18, Economic Times, Panasonic

Bangalore-based Silvan Launches IoT-Based Conference Room Automation

Bangalore-based home automation startup Silvan Innovation Labs has launched a revolutionary system - Silvan BOARD - which is based on IoT technology. This system retrofits into a conference room, communicates with existing, installed devices and provides a simple interface to set the room into different modes of operation.

Conference rooms are an integral part of any business setup and have a remarkable influence on the conducting of efficient meetings, both internal and external, of the organization.

There has been a tremendous growth in the technology related to video and audio conferencing, wireless content sharing, lighting and video displays over the past few years. Devices incorporating these latest technologies are available for use in conference rooms with a wide range of features and prices. However, one aspect that is not available is a comprehensive interface to link these devices for coordinated and effective user control. Hence, setting up all these devices during the meeting becomes a difficult and time-consuming exercise for most of the users.

Such an interface would ideally allow disparate devices in the conference room to be operated with simple, user-understandable scenarios such as “Presentation Mode”, “Meeting Mode”, “Video Conferencing Mode” etc. This interface would allow users to quickly and easily configure the devices, hence making more productive use of their time during meetings.

To address these issues, Silvan Innovation Labs has launched a revolutionary system - Silvan BOARD - which is based on IoT technology. This system retrofits into a conference room, communicates with existing, installed devices and provides a simple interface to set the room into different modes of operation.



The devices used in Silvan BOARD can be installed quickly and easily in an existing conference room, without impacting the décor of the room. The system is modular and adapts itself for any future additions or replacements.

“The traditional approach to conference room automation involves an elaborate set of devices which need to be installed in the room. Often, the controls are non-intuitive, and companies need the services of an IT manager to set up the rooms before any meeting. This effectively takes away the very purpose of an automation system. Our approach is to ensure that anyone - from a manager to a guest - can use the system without any prior understanding of the controls. There should be no need for professional help to set up or run the system,” said Avinash Gautam, CEO of Silvan Innovation Labs.

Founded in 2008, Avinash Gautam, Giri Krishna, Nandakumar Raghavan and Mohan G., Silvan had raised $900K from Infused Ventures in 2016. The company has raised a total of $1.4 million from investors including Chennai Angels.

Source - Business Wire India

[Top-most Image is representative Via - BuildTrack.in]

Bangalore-based Silvan Launches IoT-Based Conference Room Automation

Bangalore-based home automation startup Silvan Innovation Labs has launched a revolutionary system - Silvan BOARD - which is based on IoT technology. This system retrofits into a conference room, communicates with existing, installed devices and provides a simple interface to set the room into different modes of operation.

Conference rooms are an integral part of any business setup and have a remarkable influence on the conducting of efficient meetings, both internal and external, of the organization.

There has been a tremendous growth in the technology related to video and audio conferencing, wireless content sharing, lighting and video displays over the past few years. Devices incorporating these latest technologies are available for use in conference rooms with a wide range of features and prices. However, one aspect that is not available is a comprehensive interface to link these devices for coordinated and effective user control. Hence, setting up all these devices during the meeting becomes a difficult and time-consuming exercise for most of the users.

Such an interface would ideally allow disparate devices in the conference room to be operated with simple, user-understandable scenarios such as “Presentation Mode”, “Meeting Mode”, “Video Conferencing Mode” etc. This interface would allow users to quickly and easily configure the devices, hence making more productive use of their time during meetings.

To address these issues, Silvan Innovation Labs has launched a revolutionary system - Silvan BOARD - which is based on IoT technology. This system retrofits into a conference room, communicates with existing, installed devices and provides a simple interface to set the room into different modes of operation.



The devices used in Silvan BOARD can be installed quickly and easily in an existing conference room, without impacting the décor of the room. The system is modular and adapts itself for any future additions or replacements.

“The traditional approach to conference room automation involves an elaborate set of devices which need to be installed in the room. Often, the controls are non-intuitive, and companies need the services of an IT manager to set up the rooms before any meeting. This effectively takes away the very purpose of an automation system. Our approach is to ensure that anyone - from a manager to a guest - can use the system without any prior understanding of the controls. There should be no need for professional help to set up or run the system,” said Avinash Gautam, CEO of Silvan Innovation Labs.

Founded in 2008, Avinash Gautam, Giri Krishna, Nandakumar Raghavan and Mohan G., Silvan had raised $900K from Infused Ventures in 2016. The company has raised a total of $1.4 million from investors including Chennai Angels.

Source - Business Wire India

[Top-most Image is representative Via - BuildTrack.in]

Google Wants To Be in Your Bathroom

The title of this story might sound you creepy as this could be another attempt to breach your privacy not even leaving your bathroom, however this attempt of Google to reach your bathroom might actually save your life.

A patent from Google highlights its ambition to put sensors in your bathroom that might reveal cardiovascular health issues, improve heart health, and alert medical professionals. The patent details how Google could use “optical sensors” placed in patients’ devices or belongings to capture data on individual’s cardiovascular function – all with the aim of motivating behavioral changes and reducing instances of heart disease.

The sensors might even be positioned (the patent’s illustrations below) in a “sensing milieu" in a patient’s bathroom.



The patent describes sensors in a bath mat, for example, being able to measure heart rate through the body’s electrical patterns.

The patent also shows a camera in the bathroom mirror, which would be able to detect things like skin color variations. The patents also show toilet seats and bath mats with embedded sensors which can measure heart rate and body electrical patterns. It also describes a non-invasive camera in the bathroom mirror that can detect skin colour variation. All this will lead to a "Smart bathroom" which would be able to provide health updates which can be analyzed by health professionals.

The company even wants to put sensors in the toilet, which would be able to sense blood pressure, and sensors in the bathtub, creating an “ultrasonic” bathtub that could perform an echo test. All of this data could be collected and eventually sent to health professionals, if that’s what the user wants.



Google’s new possible invention for at-home health tracking would:

• Monitor certain aspects of a patient’s physical appearance; and


• Track changes in appearance that relate to cardiovascular health problems.

In addition, it would integrate with other Google hardware and software -- such as Android phones and Google Glass -- to capture, process, and analyze as much user cardio-data as possible.

The data would be monitored for trends and shared with patients or their medical professionals.

It is to be noted however that just because there’s a patent doesn’t mean there will be a product. Patent activity of tech companies are actually kind of sneak peak of tech giants' investment strategies particularly in R&D. Notably, Amazon has patented heart-rate detection by smartphone and Apple has patented smartphone-based health tracking. Now Google is moving deeper into medical data as well. Google is also working on other health-related projects, such as Google Lens, which could help users monitor their blood sugar levels.

In 2015, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, and Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, had invested in a startups called Nebia that makes shower heads which can reduce the amount of water used by up to 70%.

In 2016, Google had filed a patent for the Tearable screen technology, which facilitates tearing of a display screen, cut off and used independently.

Years back, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a private foundation founded by Bill Gates and his wife in year 2000 has funded a project four-years back which is called – “Nano Membrane Toilet” or Water-less Toilet which will be able to treat human waste on-site without external energy or water.

Google Wants To Be in Your Bathroom

The title of this story might sound you creepy as this could be another attempt to breach your privacy not even leaving your bathroom, however this attempt of Google to reach your bathroom might actually save your life.

A patent from Google highlights its ambition to put sensors in your bathroom that might reveal cardiovascular health issues, improve heart health, and alert medical professionals. The patent details how Google could use “optical sensors” placed in patients’ devices or belongings to capture data on individual’s cardiovascular function – all with the aim of motivating behavioral changes and reducing instances of heart disease.

The sensors might even be positioned (the patent’s illustrations below) in a “sensing milieu" in a patient’s bathroom.



The patent describes sensors in a bath mat, for example, being able to measure heart rate through the body’s electrical patterns.

The patent also shows a camera in the bathroom mirror, which would be able to detect things like skin color variations. The patents also show toilet seats and bath mats with embedded sensors which can measure heart rate and body electrical patterns. It also describes a non-invasive camera in the bathroom mirror that can detect skin colour variation. All this will lead to a "Smart bathroom" which would be able to provide health updates which can be analyzed by health professionals.

The company even wants to put sensors in the toilet, which would be able to sense blood pressure, and sensors in the bathtub, creating an “ultrasonic” bathtub that could perform an echo test. All of this data could be collected and eventually sent to health professionals, if that’s what the user wants.



Google’s new possible invention for at-home health tracking would:

• Monitor certain aspects of a patient’s physical appearance; and


• Track changes in appearance that relate to cardiovascular health problems.

In addition, it would integrate with other Google hardware and software -- such as Android phones and Google Glass -- to capture, process, and analyze as much user cardio-data as possible.

The data would be monitored for trends and shared with patients or their medical professionals.

It is to be noted however that just because there’s a patent doesn’t mean there will be a product. Patent activity of tech companies are actually kind of sneak peak of tech giants' investment strategies particularly in R&D. Notably, Amazon has patented heart-rate detection by smartphone and Apple has patented smartphone-based health tracking. Now Google is moving deeper into medical data as well. Google is also working on other health-related projects, such as Google Lens, which could help users monitor their blood sugar levels.

In 2015, Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, and Eric Schmidt, the executive chairman of Google, had invested in a startups called Nebia that makes shower heads which can reduce the amount of water used by up to 70%.

In 2016, Google had filed a patent for the Tearable screen technology, which facilitates tearing of a display screen, cut off and used independently.

Years back, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, a private foundation founded by Bill Gates and his wife in year 2000 has funded a project four-years back which is called – “Nano Membrane Toilet” or Water-less Toilet which will be able to treat human waste on-site without external energy or water.

10 Promising Home Automation Startups in India

With technological advancements in several developing countries across the globe, home automation solutions are evolving continuously and is used in a variety of applications across residential, commercial and hospitality segments. Home automation systems refer to all such systems, whether used as a single application or as integrated solutions that are used to automate processes (such as turning on the AC, dimming lights, managing entrance gate and cameras, operating smart appliances in a house, and so on).

According to a report published by RedSeer Consulting, Home automation market in India is rapidly growing and is expected to reach INR 8800 crores by 2017. The key growth drivers for this demand are increasing consumer awareness and financial ability, product innovations (like smart phone apps), builders’ requirement for market differentiation and an increase in the preference for energy efficient systems. There are many players in this field such as Oakter, Inoho, IFIHOMES.com, Silvan Innovation Labs, eDomotics, SharpNode, Home Brain, MSK Technology, Thasmai Automation and Metagan among others.

Here is a brief description about all of them:

1. Oakter

Oakter, a tech startup based out of Noida, was founded in 2014 by IITians Varun Gupta, Nithin David and Shishir Gupta. The startup is resolving technology issues faced by Indian homes. The company innovates and manufactures plug & play smart home products. Oakter products smarten existing home appliances such that they can be controlled better and managed remotely using Oakter mobile app.

Using the Oakter Hub, a smart plug, plugged-in sensors, and the mobile app, a person can smarten 40 different types of home appliances that include AC, Water Heater, Water Motor, Mosquito Repellant, fish tank, lamps etc. Oakter elevates life by better home management.

The product pricing starts at INR 2,800, which lets users control one low powered home appliance like coffee machine. Users can start with one or two home appliance and then keep growing their smart-home experience.

Company’s sales and marketing is primarily through online channels, the product is available on e-commerce platforms Flipkart and Amazon though maximum sales are through their own website. Oakter website offers make your own smart-home option which can help customers customize their smart home as per their specific needs.

Mr. Shishir Gupta, CEO of Oakter said, “We believe IoT will bring about similar productivity gains for home environment in the next 10 years, as seen in work environment after the advent of PCs and Internet. Home appliances haven’t improved much in last 30 years, but times they are going to change very soon."

The company received funding from India-Quotient, Spice Group, Sachin Bansal, Binny Bansal, Rajul Garg and few other angel investors.

2. Inoho

Bangalore-based Inoho was founded in January 2014 by Deep Singh (IIT Guwahati), and Deepankar Garg (IIT Guwahati, IIM Ahmedabad). It later roped in Gagan Singh into its founding team as well.

Inoho is a product in the smart-homes space. It allows users to control light, fans, geysers, ACs etc. from the smartphone, and this can be done even over the internet, giving the user the access to his home from anywhere in the world. The user can schedule, time or just set moods for his place.

Inoho is bootstrapped so far. The startup monetizes by selling the product and also by adding value added services.

3. IFIHOMES.com

Started in 2013, Bangalore-based IFIHomes.com is a company focusing on the distribution of technology powered Smart Living product to Indian consumers.

Talking about their initial days, IFIHOMES.com’s Founder Rohit Khosla mentioned on the company’s website that “We started with just an idea and a passion to make life simple and secure of people around us. Being a technocrat we are promoting technology to make that happen. Our vision and desire is to educate society about the products and solution that would help them live a better life. As the market is in the early stage and not many reliable and genuine products are available to an end consumer, hence we have also taken up the initiative to promote quality products and services to make living simple and secure. We emphasize the idea of DIY (do it yourself) as part of the education. Most of the products that we are promoting are simple and hence can be installed with little/basic electrical switch install knowledge.”

The company only sell and deliver 100% quality products with warranty. And as of now, It only ship within India. The firm has started building up its inventory with Switches, light bulbs, Solar lights, and Accessories, it also have a wide range of Network Cameras for both indoor and outdoor use. It also plan on adding more products within the near future with a promise to serve you the best you could be served.

4. Silvan Innovation Labs

Bengaluru-based home-automation solutions firm Silvan Innovation Labs was launched in 2008 and develops video surveillance, analytics and home automation solutions products. Its products have been used by companies such as Sobha, Brigade, Nambiar Builders, Total Environment, Tata Housing, and Lodha, according to Silvan’s website.

The startup, which has raised a total of Rs 13.5 crore since its inception, has recently unveiled four new smart-home consumer products that it has been working on for the past two years. These include CBell, a WiFi video doorbell, which calls the owner's phone when the doorbell is pressed, and Secure, an app-enabled security system, which secures the home against unwanted intrusions including safety hazards such as gas leakages and fires.

"We also have entertainment oriented products like the zPly, which is a digital music zoning system that streams and plays centrally stored music anywhere within the house, and Lumos, an easy retrofit light automation which can automatically dim and brighten lights in different parts of the house through a few taps on a smartphone; this can also be used through conventional switches," said Avinash Gautam, CEO of Silvan Innovation Labs.

The company's USP is that its products are cost effective, with a price range of Rs 12,000-50,000, resulting in traction in tier-2 and tier-3 towns.

5. SharpNode

SharpNode (formerly Electoint) is a startup company founded in June 2014 by Mohit Agnihotri. Currently, it has a product which monitor homes and provides control and security over electric appliances through smartphone or laptop installed SharpNode application.

SharpNode is based on the ground of Internet of things. Working on products involving microprocessors, microcontrollers, sensors, integrated circuits, wireless devices like wlan, Bluetooth, etc, which are fundamental components for connecting things around you to a cloud based internet - In simple, Make Things Magical. The firm aims at building its business by delivering effective solutions based on innovative technologies and solutions.

“We all are smart enough to know that today’s market is overflowing with startups and beginner’s companies. Few global players have been listed. Explore all of them, and realize soon that none of them provide the solution with such an affordable price with no compromise in quality and reliability. Following 'Make in India' we have ‘VALUE FOR MONEY’ products. Sooner, our next range of products will evolve from nowhere but the scratch, which we will MAKE IN INDIA,” added Mohit.

6. Home Brain

Gurgaon-based Home Brain is the brainchild of NetWorld Inc, a leading IT enabled automation consulting, designing and integration company with hands-on experience in today’s technology arena. Its products include - Security Brain, Lighting Brain, Entertainment Brain, Climate Brain and Appliance Brain which helps in energy & water saving, enhance equipment life, keep informed about the parameters to help timely troubleshooting, eliminates the need of heavy manpower, ensures safety & security, and make it easy for you to control desired automation.

7. Cubical Labs

New Delhi-based Cubical Labs is a young startup born out of research endeavors of three IIT-Guwahati graduates - Swati Vyas, Dhruv Ratra and Rahul Bhatnagar. Founded in November 2013 by the young trio, the startup offers solutions that revolves around building a wireless, cost effective, safe and smart home solution, all of which can be controlled remotely through a mobile device. Cubical Labs offers solution for - Controlling Electrical Appliances from anywhere in the world, Monitoring the energy usage, Integration with multiple platforms such as IP cameras, curtain closer monitors.

The startup has patented communication protocol, Cube-R which it claims to be more suitable for the Indian market because of less data consumption and it’s ability to integrate with other protocols. They started their major operations in Delhi – NCR and Mumbai a year back and have established a wide network of distributors and dealers in 5 states (14 cities ) in India, and till the of this year. The startup aims to expand to 20 states along with a few south east Asian and Middle Eastern countries.

8. Thasmai Automation

Bangalore-based Thasmai offers home automation solutions for you by making the products and systems you already have and use every day work together. By integrating everything from lighting controls, music, home theater, climate control, security - even iPads, iPhones and Android smartphones and tablets - a smart house by Thasmai creates personalized experiences that enhance your life and provide added comfort, savings, convenience and peace of mind. It provides Automation solutions for Home segment, Lighting Automation and Safety & security (including CCTV, Fire Alarm, Public addressing, and Access & Attendance systems) solutions for corporate clients.

Founded in 2010 by Karigirish Murthy, Thasmai is one of the emerging players in India's home automation market. Having its presence in 8 major cities of India, Thasmai partnered with the best in breed companies for all its solutions; ranging from Philips & Crabtree for lighting automation, to Harman International (JBL, Revel, Infiniti, Synthesis) for Home Entertainment Solutions to Honeywell for home security solutions.

9. Metagan Technologies Private Limited

Bengaluru-based Metagan is focusing on providing international standard automation products and solutions, spread across different domains and geographies. It is an early stage startup working on modular IoT solutions for your house by reinventing the hardware & software platforms for IoT by leveraging native patented technologies & open source technologies. The startup was founded in 2015 by Ganesh Prasad Kumble.

Its product - Mera™ Zoom Security Systems is used for safety and security. The product’s features include:

• Zoom is Plug & Play: Plug it to your ordinary bulb socket & it just works!


• Zoom is Modular: It acts as a security camera, light & an alarm!


• NO DVRs Required: Yes, you read it right. Zoom doesn’t require a DVR to store the photos/videos. Just link your Dropbox account & you can access photos/videos “On the GO”! Media is captured only when there is a motion; So you don’t have to spend time browsing 24 hrs content.


• One time payment: Pay once. You’re all set. No annual fees / charges.

"The aim of Metagan Technologies is to provide simple, secure & standard automation solutions to the world. This requires collaboration and partnership among people and organizations with a shared vision of what could be. Our organization's commitment is evident in our ever advanced global portfolio and ever-ready focus on customer's requirements & designing intuitive solutions. We look forward to working alongside our customers and stakeholders to mark a positive, measurable and lasting contribution to our planet and our society,” added Ganesh.

10. eDomotics

Hyderabad-based eDomotics was started in 2012 by Ganesh Vudutha, a mechanical engineer and Keshava Varma, an electronics engineer. eDomotics is a lifestyle company, inspired and driven by ideas that promise - comfort, convenience, security & safety. The company provides a one stop solution for your end-to-end automation needs - consulting, planning, system design, installation and service. Be it lighting, appliances, entertainment systems, air-conditioning, curtains, sprinklers or surveillance cameras at your home, its solutions provides you the convenience to control it from just a click of a button. You can also accesses and control all of these from your mobile smart phone or internet.

“With a motive to provide the most optimal solution to our clients, we ensure that we are up to date with the latest and emerging home automation technologies and have partnered with the best of the breed automation providers in the industry,” the company mentioned on its website.