News

Zensys A/S Signs Agreement with Intel to Develop Wireless Home Control Solutions (10/11/2003)

Zensys A/S, a leading provider of wireless control networking technology, today announced it has signed a business agreement with Intel Corporation (INCT) to cooperate in developing a universal platform for seamless home control.

Intel and Zensys have agreed to enable wireless home automation solutions based on the Z-Wave(tm) mesh networking technology with Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) drivers. This will enable everyday devices such as light switches, thermostats, alarms, and appliances to become a networked part of a digital home along with televisions, PCs, PDAs and mobile phones via an ultra-low-cost wireless connection.

The two companies will work together to develop a bridge to integrate the Z-Wave mesh networking protocol into the UPnP platform. This allows Z-Wave enabled devices to interact easily and extends the full capabilities of UPnP to small devices that do not support TCP/IP stacks. Part of this effort also includes further developing open API device class descriptions for home control products based on Z-Wave.

"We're pleased to be an Intel portfolio company and very excited to integrate Intel's UPnP technology with Z-Wave to expand the current home automation ecosystem from narrow, stand-alone applications to truly integrated security and environmental control applications for the Digital Home," explained Per Nathanaelson, Zensys' Chief Executive Officer. "Universal Plug and Play is a positive step in a market that has been restricted by a lack of standards and common approach by key players. UPnP enables easy-to-use, flexible, standards-based connectivity. The support from Intel will enable Zensys to speed the adoption of low-cost control networks in the digital home. This will enable simplified usage for consumers, and enable our OEM customers to develop advanced solutions that plug and play into a home PC environment."

www.zen-sys.com
www.intel.com