Bosch to Launch ZigBee, Z-Wave, Cloud Service for Security, Home Automation at ISC West 2015
Bosch Security tackles commercial control and home automation with new ZigBee sensor, Z-Wave gateway and ‘Remote Security Control’ cloud service.
Bosch Security Systems is best known for its commercial-oriented alarm, surveillance and control products, but at ISC West 2015 the company will highlight some new innovations in the home automation market with a new Z-Wave gateway. Bosch also will introduce what it calls “the industry’s first dual-technology wireless motion detector using ZigBee connectivity.”
The demonstration may provide clues to Bosch’s joint venture with Cisco and ABB, which was announced last year to “develop and operate an open software platform for smart home devices and applications.”
So far, that threesome’s joint venture has focused more on major appliances and smart communities, and less on integrating devices within the home. In fact, Bosch has not been much of a player in the residential security or home-control space (likewise for ABB and Cisco).
Bosch does offer the B Series of alarm panels for the residential market, but in terms of integration and interactivity, they do little more than facilitate remote access to security functions (alarm on/off and monitoring) and integrate with Bosch video cameras – through a direct connection to the alarm panel, rather than a cloud-based service.
ZigBee, Z-Wave, Cloud Announcements at ISC West 2015
As for Bosch’s vague pre-ISC West press release, the company spends most of its ink on the company’s commercial-oriented surveillance systems and new cloud service for central-station video verification.
You have to dig deep to find mention of ZigBee, Z-Wave and Bosch’s new modest SHaaS (smart home as a service) platform called Bosch Remote Security Control (RSC).
Let’s get the ZigBee part out of the way: Bosch refers to “the industry’s first dual-technology wireless motion detector using ZigBee connectivity,” but doesn’t describe the product. A spokesperson tells SSI‘s sister publication CE Pro, “The ZigBee detector will work with systems that support the ZigBee wireless standard; Bosch does not offer ZigBee-enabled controllers. The ZigBee detector makes Bosch technology that delivers excellent catch performance and false alarm immunity available to customers using those systems.”
Now for Z-Wave. Again, there’s not a whole lot of detail in the press release except for this:
Expanding its offerings with solutions for the emerging smart home market, Bosch will also demonstrate its new Z-Wave Home Control Gateway at ISC West. The gateway allows integrators to connect G Series and B Series Control Panels from Bosch with a large variety of Z-Wave wireless devices – including lighting controls, door locks, temperature sensors, IP cameras and more – to provide their customers with automation and remote monitoring capabilities.
It’s a start. The B Series is Bosch’s flagship residential security product which, as mentioned, has barely touched on automation or interactivity.
Currently, you can get a little more mileage out of the B Series via the third-party Connect One SHaaS (smart home as a service) provider Connected Technologies, which also offers an automation back-end for Elk and DMP products.
At ISC West, Bosch will introduce a Z-Wave gateway and, we expect, an enhanced version of the company’s “Remote Security Control” (RSC) app that incorporates Z-Wave devices.
While RSC screen shots show – and the description mentions-only the typical alarm and camera interactivity features, Bosch tells us that remote access, monitoring and control for a full array of smart devices (via Z-Wave) will be available through the RSC service.
For now, the platform only works with “on/off outputs” such as door locks and switches.
Also at ISC West, Bosch will introduce the new G Series alarm, access control and fire panels, developed primarily for commercial applications but touted for residential as well.
Like the established B Series, the new G Series also will integrate with smart devices via the forthcoming Z-Wave gateway.
Bosch Licenses MiOS Platform for Home Automation
Bosch plans to use a platform from MiOS to power its new Z-Wave gateway and cloud service. MiOS is the same company and the same engine that drives the popular Vera (formerly Mi Casa Verde) DIY home control system.
MiOS has enjoyed additional wins lately. The platform (and hardware design) powers new products and SHaaS services for URC’s Total Control system. It is the recommended platform to Z-Wave-enable Savant’s automation system as well.
MiOS also is behind the Homelive automation program offered by French telecom giant Orange.
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About the Author
Julie Jacobson
Julie Jacobson, recipient of the 2014 CEA TechHome Leadership Award, is co-founder of EH Publishing, producer of CE Pro, Electronic House, Commercial Integrator, Security Sales and other leading technology publications. She currently spends most of her time writing for CE Pro in the areas of home automation, security, networked A/V and the business of home systems integration.
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