Telstra is believed to be developing a home automation cloud based service that controls entertainment devices, security, lighting and content streaming similar to what a major US carrier is already delivering.Rich Green a US based technology analyst and system designer who is in Australia for the 2012 CEDIA Show in Brisbane said that it is a logical direction for a carrier, as in the future most home control systems will be managed via a cloud based service.
He said that US carrier Verizon is already delivering a similar service.
He also said that Google is close to launching a Google@Home service based on an Android system that allows users to control their home systems from portable devices.
The Telstra home automation project is believed to be one of 27 major projects that Telstra is working on in preparation for a fibre based NBN broadband network being rolled into Australian homes.
If implemented the Telstra offering will let users self-monitor their home environment in the home and when travelling.The cost will be sub $9.95 a month, depending on the equipment people have or choose to purchase.
Some of the concepts that Telstra are believed to be looking at in the Melbourne based R&D labs are services that let users remotely adjust your thermostat 24/7, over a laptop or smartphones.
Systems that allow users to lower energy use by showing where/when electricity is being used.
Also being considered are systems that:
- Let you remotely view your home and lock or unlock doors
- Send automatic event notifications to your computer or phone while allowing users to set up a vacation mode so that Telstra security can monitor the house using internal and external cameras.
Telstra is refusing to comment on the project; however, they are not denying the existence of the project.
