ControlThink Forums

If you haven't had a chance to see it, Microsoft posted their latest SPOT/.NET Micro Framework promotional video on their website:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/embedded/media/tutorials/netmf.wmv

Of interest, at time 1:18 you'll notice some mysterious software controlling Z-Wave devices over the Internet using Leviton's new Vizia RF Foyer web gateway. The response time in the video is spot-on too: we're seeing something like ~250ms response times. Oh yeah, the software is ThinkEssentials for Windows Mobile :)

Here's Leviton's press release (with pic):
http://www.leviton.com/OA_HTML/ibeCCtpSctDspRte.jsp?section=13771&subsection=20018&prSubSec=0&minisite=10024

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this... I'll have to see if I can share some more details about the Foyer; it is one powerful little (and I mean _little_) device.

Chris

Wow, that poor guy was wired!  He had to down lots of coffee to keep up with all his input.  Wonder what his date will think when he keeps checking his watch.  The ThinkEssentials part was cool.

Leviton Press Release wrote:

the Vizia RF Foyer will connect to a PC or laptop Ethernet port and transmit signals to a Z-Wave home control network

That doesn't sound right.  Our USB dongles will do that much.  Wouldn't the Foyer be a standalone device?

Gary,

You are right. The Foyer is a standalone device, but it can also take the place of your USB stick. And it'll take care of your timers, Leviton's enhanced 2-way technology, connecting to your mobile phone, and much more.

It also does a lot to speed up your network, and can act as a network backup--so it can create a new primary controller for you if yours gets dropped in the pool :)

Plus, it's running on the .NET Micro Framework, so I can just imagine some crafty hackers doing mods and building their own solutions using our Z-Wave Micro SDK...

Chris

So the Foyer will serve up pages that can be viewed remotely?

Noob questions:  will I need a fixed IP address from my ISP?  Can I tell the Honeywell salesman, with his $30/month web access service, to take a hike?  Will I need a Windows Mobile phone?

These look really good!

The Leviton website says it's available in Q2. Is it possible to get a beta unit? Any idea on an approximate price for these devices?

Gary, Jim:

You will not need a fixed IP. Let's just say that dynamic IPs, most firewalls, and many other nasty things just became non-issues. :)

A bit of inside info: we're going to be opening up our remote access service publicly soon, and are going to need some beta testers :) It's going to be invite-only and Windows Mobile only for a short period--so e-mail me if you're interested.

Unfortunately, I don't think Leviton will be distributing any beta units--but I do know that they're very eager to ship the Foyer. I have one at my home if anyone would like photos to tide themselves over until they ship... ;)

Gary: if you need web pages served up remotely, you can pick up Wayne-Dalton's Ethernet Gateway. It runs our ThinkOS/ThinkBox cores and provides many of the same features plus it has a web server built in.

Chris

Chris I would like photos and any details about it if you don't mind.  Please e-mail them to me when you get a chance.

Squintz,

Unfortunately, I can't give out materials on the Foyer until they're approved by Leviton. I could maybe take a photo of one in my home, though...

If you'd like any info on the Foyer, here's the contact info from the press release.

Does that help?

For more information, contact: Leviton Manufacturing, 59-25 Little Neck Parkway, Little Neck, NY 11362, www.leviton.com.

Chris

Thanks Chris! That does help.

Ok, first, wow!  My goal is to be the guy in that vid...  I'm slowly getting there...

I read article about this foyer from http://www.embedded2enterprise.com/issue2/pg01.html 

"The Vizia RF Foyer, which will reach the market in the third quarter of 2007, allows connectivity to a home automation system locally and remotely"

Aleady Q4 2007!!! Any updates about this product?

kurenai,

The v1.0 units are working great here in our labs.  The product is being updated (to .NET Micro Framework v2.0 SP1) with some cool new features.  I don't know Leviton's official ship date, but I anticipate that it's going to be a hot item.

BTW, ThinkEssentials 2.0+ and the Z-Wave PC SDK v1.2+ already have built-in support for the Foyer--so you'll be good to go when it ships.

Chris

Is this essentially the same product as HomeRemote by Hawkings?

Townshend,

They're two different kinds of products, although the HomeRemote device does have a few of the features of the Vizia RF Foyer. 

The HomeRemote device is a consumer Internet-connected device which lets you log in through a web browser or other Internet-based interface to control your home.

The Vizia RF Foyer is a professional-grade Z-Wave Ethernet Bridge and also a device which lets you connect over the Internet to control your home remotely.  That means that you'll get a higher quality-of-service and you can also use it in place of a USB adapter.  For instance, that means that you can use copies of ThinkEssentials v2.0 to control your network through the Foyer instead of having a USB stick in each computer and you can use ThinkConnect or ThinkEssentials to control your home remotely.

Additionally, the Foyer has some additional features which give you enhanced security, performance, etc.  I can't reveal details of other companies' offerings, but I'll look forward to seeing the product in widespread use in the field :)

Chris

Sounds like a great product.  I can't wait to play around with it when it comes out.  Do you know the price point they are aiming for?