Everyday, manufacturers are developing smarter, more efficient and cost-effective solutions for homes and businesses. Keeping up with these changes is one of my passions. Over the last few months, I have visited several manufactures to view their products and to get certified in their applications. I’d like to take some time to review these new developments.
One of the most exciting new technologies to be developed over the past decade is the advancement of voice activated AI. The problem with these systems is that your voice, commands and requests are often transmitted to the host company’s servers, Amazon, Apple or Google. A new service, provided by Josh, fixes that privacy and security issue by putting the AI server in your home, ensuring your information remains private. This first of its kind system is able to control the devices and apps of more than fifty other companies, like Lutron, Barco, Sonos and Samsung.
Another area that has taken huge steps recently is lighting. People are starting to phase out the incandescent light bulb, invented hundreds of years ago, replacing them with bright, colorful and energy efficient alternatives. The products and services I observed while at the training session were truly amazing. Tiny LED light fixtures, producing colorful and stunning effects, with larger systems developed to provide indoor lighting with circadian rhythm inducing sunlight quality. I am putting several of their lighting effects into our design center, and look forward to letting you sample these amazing effects.
I also took the time to renew my certification with Lutron. Lutron has been a cornerstone of the lighting industry for decades using their RF control system gives homeowners thousands of options for controlling an environment, from lighting to blinds/drapes and audio systems. As an integrator, the ability to merge these systems is critical and renewing certifications keeps me up-to-date on all of the new programming codes and options.
Along those same lines, BARCO, the undisputed leader in projector technology, provided me new insight into its products, along with new ways to integrate them. Their products help us to develop large screen theater experiences without sacrificing space or quality. I have installed and integrated several of their products over the years and the ability to integrate these with other products is astounding.