Verdigris, a company focused on leveraging artificial intelligence and connected building management systems to enhance energy efficiency, has successfully secured $10 million in a funding round led by DCVC and Solea Energy. This significant investment, particularly noteworthy in the current economic climate, will empower Verdigris to further expand its sales and development efforts for its smart building solutions. The company’s approach, which integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology with AI to optimize building operations, has been a core focus since its early days. Approximately eight years ago, discussions around the potential of AI and connected HVAC systems to create greener buildings, like those held with a Verdigris founder in an Austin coffee shop, highlighted the nascent but promising nature of this field. The continued existence and recent funding of Verdigris underscore the enduring relevance and growing adoption of IoT and AI for achieving greater operational efficiency in the built environment. This development is particularly significant as the broader discourse around Artificial Intelligence gains momentum, providing a tailwind for companies that have been consistently applying these technologies to tangible real-world problems.
The acquisition of Atlazo’s intellectual property by Nordic Semiconductor marks a strategic move to bolster its capabilities in the rapidly growing field of Tiny Machine Learning (TinyML). Atlazo, a San Diego-based firm, was developing specialized low-power microcontrollers optimized for machine learning applications. Nordic Semiconductor, a prominent provider of low-power wireless chips for the IoT sector, views this as a "bolt-on" acquisition expected to yield benefits within 12 to 18 months of closing. The increasing demand for on-device machine learning, coupled with Nordic’s established expertise in low-power wireless solutions for the IoT, makes this integration a logical step. By incorporating Atlazo’s specialized MCU technology, Nordic Semiconductor aims to further enhance the intelligence and efficiency of connected devices, enabling more sophisticated processing at the edge and reducing reliance on cloud connectivity for certain AI tasks. This move is expected to solidify Nordic’s position in the IoT market by offering a more comprehensive suite of components for intelligent, power-constrained applications.
In an effort to enhance the reliability of its extensive electric vehicle (EV) charging network, ChargePoint is adopting a strategy akin to that of telecommunications companies by establishing a Network Operations Center (NOC). This new facility will be dedicated to continuously monitoring the operational status of ChargePoint’s 243,000 EV chargers deployed across the United States and Europe. The impetus for this significant investment in infrastructure and operational oversight appears to be driven, in part, by new federal legislation designed to accelerate EV adoption. These regulations often include stringent uptime requirements for charging infrastructure, making proactive monitoring and rapid issue resolution critical. The establishment of a dedicated NOC signifies a shift towards a more robust and service-oriented approach for ChargePoint, recognizing that the availability of charging stations is paramount to the user experience and the broader success of the EV ecosystem. This proactive stance is indicative of a growing trend in the IoT landscape, where the focus is increasingly shifting towards the maintenance and reliable operation of connected services, often referred to as the "maintenance era."
The Evolving Landscape of Smart Home Security
The utility and effectiveness of video doorbells are being increasingly scrutinized, with some questioning whether they constitute "security theater." A recent article from the BBC delves into this debate, exploring the perceived benefits against the reality of their practical application. While video doorbells offer a degree of convenience by providing remote viewing and recording capabilities, their ability to deter or capture porch pirates is a subject of ongoing discussion. It has been observed that individuals engaged in illicit activities can adapt to this technology by concealing their identities, thereby diminishing the perceived security advantage. This perspective aligns with the observations of industry analysts who note that while these devices offer a layer of awareness, they are not an infallible deterrent. The implication for the smart home market is a continued need for innovation in security solutions that go beyond mere surveillance and offer more comprehensive protection and deterrent capabilities.
Recurring Revenue Models in the Smart Home Sector
The appeal of recurring subscription revenue is a powerful driver for manufacturers in the smart home device market, and Shelly is embracing this model with its new premium subscription offering. This service, primarily targeted at European consumers but also available in the U.S., focuses on energy management for smart home devices. For a monthly fee of €3.99 (approximately $4.34), subscribers gain access to features such as notifications for lights left on, alerts for unusual energy consumption patterns from connected products, and detailed monitoring of device energy usage. Shelly projects that this service can lead to electricity bill savings of up to 18%, presenting a compelling value proposition for users seeking to optimize their home energy consumption. This move by Shelly reflects a broader industry trend where device manufacturers are seeking to diversify their revenue streams beyond hardware sales by offering value-added services and subscriptions, thereby fostering ongoing customer engagement and generating predictable income.
Speculation Surrounding Google Nest’s Future
Recent reports from The Information suggest that Verily, one of Alphabet’s "other bets" companies, is preparing to decouple from Alphabet’s corporate services in anticipation of a potential spin-off in late 2024. This move by Verily could signal a broader strategic realignment within Alphabet, potentially paving the way for other "other bets" divisions to pursue independent operational paths. While this information is currently speculative and behind a paywall, its potential implications for the smart home ecosystem are significant, particularly concerning the Google Nest division. Alphabet’s recent emphasis on financial discipline, exemplified by the strategic initiatives led by Ruth Porat, and the observed reduction in support for certain Nest displays, have fueled speculation about the future of the Nest brand within the larger Alphabet structure. A spin-off of the Google Nest division would represent a substantial shift in the smart home landscape, potentially leading to new strategic directions and partnerships for its product lines, which currently include smart speakers, displays, thermostats, and security cameras.
Matter Standard and Smart Lighting: A Work in Progress
The recent launch of the Aqara LED Strip Lights T1 presents a mixed picture regarding its integration with the Matter smart home standard. On the positive side, the T1 strip supports Matter, offering compatibility with a range of smart home platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home, at a price point of $49.95. However, a notable limitation is that the current Matter specification does not support Adaptive Lighting, a feature that automatically adjusts the brightness and color temperature of lights based on the time of day. While this feature can be enabled on the Aqara T1, it requires users to forgo the Matter connection and instead utilize Aqara’s proprietary Zigbee hub. This "either-or" scenario highlights the ongoing development and evolving capabilities of the Matter standard. As the Matter ecosystem matures, it is anticipated that such limitations will be addressed, further enhancing the interoperability and feature set of connected smart home devices.
DIY Solutions for Privacy-Conscious Homeowners
For consumers prioritizing privacy and seeking alternatives to cloud-dependent smart home devices, a do-it-yourself (DIY) video doorbell project has emerged as a compelling option. This project utilizes an ESP32 microcontroller and open-source software to enable the creation of a privacy-centric video doorbell. The current implementation is designed to integrate with Home Assistant, a popular open-source home automation platform, and can likely be adapted for compatibility with other DIY-style smart home hubs. This initiative empowers users to take greater control over their smart home infrastructure, ensuring that sensitive data, such as video feeds, remains within their local network and is not transmitted to third-party servers. The availability of such DIY solutions underscores the growing demand for greater user autonomy and data privacy within the smart home market.
Anticipating the Next Generation of Eve Home Cameras
The smart home security market is poised for the arrival of a second-generation EveCam, with its debut anticipated next month at the IFA event in Berlin. While official announcements are pending, details have emerged from German tech publications, bolstered by FCC documentation for the new webcam. This upcoming model is expected to offer support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks and features a compact, 50mm square form factor. Given that Eve Home has recently expanded its product support beyond HomeKit through Matter, it is significant to note that the Matter specification currently does not encompass webcams. Therefore, the new EveCam is highly likely to remain a HomeKit-exclusive solution, catering to users within Apple’s ecosystem who prioritize secure, local processing of their camera feeds. This development signals Eve Home’s continued commitment to delivering high-quality, privacy-focused smart home accessories for HomeKit users.