Z-Wave home control system styres med smartphone eller tablet

Det tyske firma tapHOME udvikler et home control løsninger, der via en såkaldte tapHOME app kan styres af en smartphone eller en tablet (in english).

'Home control the easy way' is the principle espoused by new Z-Wave Alliance member tapHOME. Based on the Z-wave wireless standard, the German manufacturer has developed a home control system which requires only a smartphone or tablet in order to set up and operate it.

The system is managed via the tapHOME app, which is available free of charge, and tapHOME has also put together a special starter pack, with which residents can easily configure the basis for their home automation network.  The starter pack contains the EASYGate base controller, an EASYPlug connector plug and an EASYPlugDim dimmer.

In order to make home control as straightforward as possible, in line with the company’s core philosophy, the tapHOME developers have created an intuitive user interface with an unobtrusive design. The use of modern and extendable technology is ensured by basing the system on the open, reliable and scaleable Z-Wave wireless standard. This allows any Z-Wave compatible device to be incorporated into the network as required.

Define individual rooms in the app

It takes only a few minutes to install the tapHOME starter pack, and the user can connect the EASYGate to his/her router, switch or access point.  The user can then download and start the free-of-charge tapHOME app. The EASYGate is automatically recognised and the user simply connects the EASYPlug or EASYPlugDim to any desired socket and integrates it into the network using the learning mode.  The final steps are to give the device a name and to assign the components to categories.

Using the tapHOME tablet app, the user can digitally draw and define the outlines of individual rooms, including existing doors and windows. All the connected components are then placed in this template as icons so that the devices can be controlled easily and intuitively;  just tapping on the desired icon on the smartphone screen turns the corresponding device, connected to the EASYPlug, on or off. In the case of dimmable devices, a double tap activates a special function, which allows the user to set the desired level of lighting by swiping.

Call up pre-defined scenarios

To ensure maximum comfort and energy efficiency, so-called scenarios enable users to combine the various actions carried out by the tapHOME components. For example, pre-defined settings can be called up when eating dinner, using the home cinema or when leaving the house or flat. The timer function allows fixed times to be defined for automatically turning devices on and off, for controlling outside lights, for example, or for simulating one's presence at home when on holiday. tapHOME also makes it possible to turn off all standby devices at the same time, if they are not currently required.

The starter pack is available for 199.90 euros. Individual EASYPlugs can be purchased for 39.90 euros and EASYPlugDim dimmers for 49.90 euros. The tapHOME app is already available in the Apple iTunes Store and will also be available for Android mobile devices during the second quarter of 2013.

And at the end of the second quarter of 2013, tapHOME will be enhancing the system in order to allow remote management functions via the internet, thereby also allowing iOS and Android users to control devices at home even when they are out. 

The installation and operation of the system is explained in a YouTube video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi08pxFheFs.