Intel Eyeing Smart Home Energy Management Jan 20, 2010

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Joining appliance makers like GE and Whirlpool and software companies like Google, Intel is showing interest in the smart home energy management market.

The company recently released details on a Home Dashboard concept based on the Intel Atom processor. The concept uses ZigBee-enabled smart adaptors that allow appliances, sensors, and smart meters to communicate wirelessly with the dashboard. Applications monitor the performance of each appliance over selected time intervals, alert users to anticipated problems, provide maintenance reminders, and make usage recommendations that can save time, money, and energy.

Intel hired industrial design firm IDEO to build an ergonomic industrial design and user interface. The top-mounted Hello/Goodbye switch sets climate controls and security systems to pre-arranged settings while users are at home, away, or sleeping. An 11.5-in. organic light emitting diode (OLED) capacitive touch screen provides fingertip control over favored applications.

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