Skyworth Digital and SURE Universal have announced a smart home IoT solution for operators. The collaboration between the two companies is intended to transform the standard set-top box hardware into a smart home solution.
The solution leverages Android STB as a universal gateway for the smart home. It supports local control and monitoring of home appliances over WiFi and Z-Wave wireless technologies, as well as direct control of legacy appliances with Infra-Red (IR) blaster. The IoT solution also enables remote control from outside of the home. Google Home and Google Voice provide voice control.
Specifically designed for broadband operators, the solution offers a standard-compliant platform that does not lock customers into a single hardware vendor. Both companies are members of the Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF) and SURE Universal software is OCF-certified.
"Skyworth Digital invests heavily in technology research and development and has a strong focus on innovation, including devices for the smart home leveraging all the products and services available from the Skyworth Group," said Charlie Zheng, VP of marketing and strategy at Skyworth Digital. "Through the collaboration with SURE Universal, Skyworth Digital is offering the first complete, standard-compliant Smart Home solution for operators."
"SURE Universal has developed the only OCF-certified software solution for smart home and IoT which allows all devices to be controlled from one integrated platform," said Viktor Ariel, CEO of Sure Universal. "We are honored to cooperate with Skyworth and turn their industry-leading set-top box into the heart of a state-of-the-art IoT solution for operators and consumers."