News

Lagotek Launches Wireless Whole Home Automation System (31/5/2006)

Lagotek Corporation today announces the launch of a new and revolutionary approach to home automation, which is software, rather than hardware, based, resulting in much more flexible solutions than the conventional hardware-based applications. The software-base d platform includes basic features for whole home control of lighting (incandescent, LED and fiber optic), heating and air conditioning (HVAC), distributed audio, multi-location camera surveillance, irrigation controls (sprinklers and drip systems) and security systems. Due to its patent pending wireless design, the Lagotek system is affordable and accessible to both mid-priced and high-end homeowners. With its aesthetically appealing interface, the system is incredibly intuitive to operate and requires little to no previous knowledge of computers. While Lagotek's system has been test-marketed in the Seattle area, it is now being rolled out with national distribution.

"The home automation marketplace has been held back by costly and complicated hardware based solutions. We are breaking that mold by developing and marketing an open, software-based approach that replicates the way personal computing advanced into the mass market," says Eugene Luskin, chief executive officer of Lagotek Corporation. "We believe this approach will finally make automation a standard feature of every home, both for new construction and the remodeling marketplace."

Initial Installations Draw Raves

Several installations are already in use throughout the Seattle area. One of them is at the house of Seattle home developer Keith Richards, president of Summit Homes. Keith loves the convenience and ease of use of the system. He says, "My wife figured it out right away and it wonāt be long before my kids will figure it out. It looks good in the house too." On a professional note he points out, "No question this system will make new homes more attractive to my customers. I can assure you that there is demand for home automation out there right now. I have seen so much interest; Iāve got a friend across the street, who wants the same system in his house. I would say the interest is high enough that Lagotek needs to keep it going quick. If builders donāt get involved, theyāll get left behind."

Lagotek Features Z-Wave Enabled Home Automation Controller

The Lagotek Home Intelligence platform, which includes the HIP 100 Intelligent Controller and HIP 200 Wireless Interface Hub, is compatible with the Z-Wave control environment. Literally any high- or low-voltage appliance that can be managed through Z-Wave is compatible with the Lagotek Home Intelligence platform. Zensys, which developed the Z-Wave protocol, is working closely with Lagotek on Z-Wave control systems utilizing Microsoft's .Net Compact Framework under Win CE 5.0.

The Lagotek Fusion Suite Version 2.0 represents Lagotek's initial collection of software applications developed for the Home Intelligence Platform. Since it is an open platform, new applications will be added by third-party independent software vendors (ISVs). This makes HIP-based solutions upgradeable to an endless array of future applications, ranging from esoteric add-ons such as support for Bluetooth-enabled heart monitors to mainstream extensions, such as support for all popular security systems.

The Fusion Suite currently includes support for multi-zoned HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning), lighting controls, multi-camera surveillance, home irrigation, security systems based upon GE NX8 hardware and home audio (music collections or Podcasts through Apple's iTunes or Rhapsody in addition to other popular online music management utilities).

Two key features of Lagotek's technology are known as Modes and Profiles. These features represent much of Lagotek's "secret sauce" in making whole home automation accessible and acceptable to the mass market of homeowners. They provide system level changes to feature templates that modify the HIP system to become personal and specific to each home application. The objective is to make human interaction with the system unnecessary in many situations. For example, "Good Night" Mode can be set to adjust occupied and unoccupied room temperatures, security system, lighting and home entertainm ent for night time settings. The reverse is true for "Good Morning" Mode. The "Vacation" Profile illustrates how Profiles control multi-home electrical system elements over a period of time. This Profile remembers all daily activities for a two-week period and automatically invokes those routines for lighting and music. The result is a home that appears occupied during a vacation.

The Target Market and Distribution

The target markets for Lagotek are both new home construction and aftermarket remodeling. Both markets are served by a network of Certified Installer/Dealers, who install the systems and provide aftermarket service on an as-needed or post-installation service agreement basis. Under a recent joint marketing agreement, Alarm.com and Lagotek cooperate in marketing whole home control in concert with security and surveillance products.

www.lagotek.com