The implementation of Broadcom Wi-Fi and BLE technology is changing the way we live, in regards to our health as well as our lifestyles. Since the development of internet, things have rapidly changed around us as the many uses of internet are realized.
Today, we have the opportunity for real-time video gaming, music streaming and staying connected around the clock by way of social media sites like Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube and Google.
How Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connect appliances
Through Broadcom Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technologies, the power of the Internet can be used to connect devices we never would have considered before. In the near future, we will probably wonder how we ever managed without them. This concept of connected devices is named the “Internet of Things”, and it is rapidly expanding in use.
Broadcom’s Wireless Internet Connectivity for Embedded Devices (WICED) technology integrates wireless technology with home systems such as appliances and thermostats, making it a possibility to turn any home appliance into a remotely controlled device.
The combination of Wi-Fi-based connectivity with WICED removes the guess work out of monitoring energy usage, which allows for lower utility bills. It can also give owners information about their home devices, helping them make better choices in regards to maintenance. Connected home appliances that can be monitored and controlled remotely are an amazing concept that has already been turned into a reality, and is actually considered the norm for many. There are already numerous connected devices that are making home life simpler.
But massive scale isn’t everything with smart appliances
There are a lot of connected appliances out there now, and not everything has massive scale. GE’s FirstBuild facility is using smaller scale manufacturing to quickly develop more of these smart devices, more quickly.
Some other interesting smart appliance applications include:
SkylinkNet alarm system
The SkylinkNet alarm system is just one of many smart home security systems available today. Window and door fixtures are secured with motion sensors that alert owners when there is an intruder. It is simple to set up SkyLink’s product and connect it to a smartphone. It offers a keychain fob that allows users to remotely alarm and disarm the security system, and it provides a button for users to call for help if needed.
Hue
Philips Hue is a smart lighting system for the home that integrates LED lighting with mobile technology. An app connects to Wi-Fi and allows users to control various bulbs and lighting systems within their home.
Nest smart thermostat
Controllable by a smartphone and an accompanying app, the Nest Thermostat is a smart device created by Nest, and it has the potential to lower an energy bill by up to 20 percent. Nest offers other IoT home devices as well, including a camera security system and smoke alarms.
LG HomeChat
A controller for all smart appliances, LG HomeChat hub makes controlling other devices a breeze, from changing washer cycles, to turning on a robot vacuum and much more. The hub also diagnoses any problems with appliances, and alerts users.
Kevo Kwikset
With Kevo, a smartphone can be turned into a door key. Available to Android and iOS smartphone users, the Kevo is an electronic deadbolt that interacts with a Kevo Fob and an accompanying app to unlock or lock a door. The app can also be used to send virtual keys to guests that need temporary access.
Withings Body Cardio Scale
Withings’s most recent smart scale, the Body Cardio, can record a person’s heart rate along with pulse wave velocity. The scale connects to a smart phone, sending all kinds of health data to users including muscle, water and bone mass and heart health.
These are just a few of the numerous connected home appliances available today. With so many appliances becoming connected, what things will be next? How about an app-controlled coffee maker that allows users to operate it remotely? Oh wait…That already exists.
