 | July 1, 2000 |
The heat is online
ADVANCES: Ready or not, here come networked home appliances
We've all heard about a future where our home appliances will be networked and even accessible via the Internet. Whether you find the concept intriguing or just plain scary (a breach of privacy?), not only is the enabling technology available, but a number of recent announcements indicate that it's being deployed by key players in the connectivity food chain.
EmWare, a company that provides device-networking software, has signed an agreement with AT&T, whereby the telecommunications giant will license and integrate emWare's EMIT (Embedded Micro Internetworking Technology) software into its global remote access network.
With EMIT, AT&T will be able to provide device-management services that will allow businesses and consumers to connect to, monitor, and control intelligent, networked devices worldwide. Consumers will be able to access devices over the AT&T network through a variety of means, including telephones, Web browsers, and PDAs.
Among the first to take advantage of this alliance is Carrier, the maker of heating and air-conditioning products. The company uses emWare's technology and AT&T's network services for its ComfortChoice program, an Internet-based, residential energy-management program. emWare technology in the homeowner's Carrier thermostat makes it possible for the electric utility to adjust the homeowner's temperature settings during times of peak energy demand via AT&T's network. Homeowners also get remote access to their thermostats, allowing them to control their own home environment remotely.
Meanwhile, Invensys, a global electronics and engineering company, is developing a home and light-industrial control system incorporating emWare's technology. The control server, combined with AT&T's network capabilities, provides a cost-effective way of controlling any home or business-device network from anywhere in the world.
In addition, Matsushita Electronic Works (MEW), maker of the National and Panasonic brands, recently signed a licensing agreement with emWare, enabling MEW to use EMIT device-networking software to add Internet connectivity to more than 500 of its home-automation, medical, and building-automation products. MEW has already introduced its first emWare-enabled device, a health-care monitor for use in nursing homes.
These companies are members of the Extend The Internet (ETI) Alliance, a group of technology companies cooperating to advance the EMIT standard and usher in the everything-is-networked future. Other members include Analog Devices, Atmel, Centura, ChipCenter, Computer Associates, eMation, HIWARE, Hitachi, Infineon, Lineo, Microchip, Mitsubishi, Motorola, National Semiconductor, Pervasive, Philips, Phytec, RTS Wireless, SAP, STMicroelectronics, Sybase, Tasking, and ZiLOG.
—Margot Suydam
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