Articles tagged with "smart-home"
Chinese AI textile enables voice-controlled smart home functionality
Researchers at Soochow University in China have developed A-Textile, an innovative smart fabric that transforms everyday clothing into voice-controlled AI assistants. Utilizing the triboelectric effect, the fabric generates tiny electrostatic charges from slight movements caused by speech, which are then converted into electrical signals for voice recognition. The fabric is composed of a silicone rubber layer embedded with SnS₂ nanoflowers to enhance charge capture, combined with a carbonized cotton layer for charge storage. This design enables the fabric to detect subtle vibrations, such as whispers, producing up to 21 volts with high sensitivity. A-Textile is flexible, washable, and can be integrated into various garments, enabling hands-free interaction with AI systems. The researchers paired the fabric with a deep learning model that interprets voice commands with 97.5% accuracy, even in noisy environments. The system demonstrated practical applications by controlling smart home appliances like air conditioners and lamps, interacting with ChatGPT for complex queries, and integrating with services
smart-fabricAI-textilevoice-recognitionIoTsmart-hometriboelectric-effectwearable-technologyGoogle’s Home app, a command center for the smart home, gets a Gemini upgrade
Google has announced a major redesign of its Google Home app, aiming to improve the overall user experience for managing smart home devices. Acknowledging past shortcomings, Google focused first on enhancing the app’s performance, reliability, and design before integrating new AI features. The updated app now launches 70% faster, experiences 80% fewer crashes, and includes numerous battery and memory optimizations. Over the past year, Google has delivered more than 100 updates, and the app currently supports over 800 million devices from more than 50,000 manufacturers, reflecting its broad compatibility. A significant part of the update is the integration of Nest device management into the Google Home app, consolidating what was previously split between two apps. The app now supports Nest thermostats (from 2015 onward), cameras, doorbells, smoke and CO detectors, and smart locks, including migration of device history and features like emergency notifications. Camera functionality has been notably improved, with 30% faster live views, 40
IoTsmart-homeGoogle-HomeNest-devicesAI-assistantdevice-managementsmart-thermostatGoogle teases its new Gemini-powered Google Home speaker, coming in spring 2026
Google has announced its upcoming flagship smart speaker, powered by its new Gemini AI assistant, set to launch in spring 2026 at a price of $99. The device will be available in four colors—Porcelain, Hazel, Berry, and Jade—and is designed with a processor capable of handling advanced AI functions such as background noise suppression, reverb, and echo cancellation. This ensures clearer interaction even in noisy environments. A new light ring will provide visual feedback on the assistant’s status during interactions, particularly in the Gemini Live mode, which requires a Google Home Premium subscription. The launch timing is deliberate, as Google aims first to roll out Gemini AI functionality to existing Google Home devices through an Early Access program, allowing current users to test and provide feedback before the new speaker becomes available. The speaker supports 360-degree audio and can be grouped with other Google Home devices for synchronized playback. Additionally, users will be able to pair two Google Home speakers with a Google TV Streamer to create a surround-s
IoTsmart-homeGoogle-HomeAI-assistantGemini-AIsmart-speakereco-friendly-materialsGoogle unveils AI-powered Nest indoor and outdoor cameras, and a new doorbell
At its recent Google Home event, Google introduced a new lineup of Nest smart home security devices featuring AI enhancements powered by its Gemini AI assistant. The updated products include a $149.99 Nest Cam Outdoor, a $99.99 Nest Cam Indoor, and a $179.99 Nest Doorbell, all equipped with 2K HDR video—the highest resolution Google has offered to date. These devices provide a wider field of view (152 degrees for cameras and 166 degrees for the doorbell) and improved low-light performance, with 120% greater light sensitivity and extended full-color mode during dawn and dusk. The doorbell’s aspect ratio was also changed to 1:1 to capture more detailed images of visitors and packages. The key differentiator is the integration of Gemini AI, which enhances the intelligence of notifications by providing more context rather than generic alerts. Instead of simple motion detection notices, users might receive descriptive alerts such as “dog jumps out of playpen,” accompanied by zoomed-in video
IoTsmart-homeAIsecurity-camerasNest-devicesGemini-AIvideo-surveillanceGoogle reveals its Gemini-powered smart home lineup and AI strategy
Google has unveiled a refreshed lineup of smart home devices powered by its new AI assistant, Gemini AI, including updated Nest Cam Outdoor, Nest Cam Indoor, and Nest Doorbell models. The company also previewed an upgraded Google Home smart speaker expected in spring 2026 and announced a partnership with Walmart to offer affordable AI-enabled cameras and doorbells under the onn brand. Google’s strategy emphasizes making Gemini accessible not only through its own flagship hardware but also by enabling other manufacturers to integrate Gemini into their devices, similar to how Android operates across various smartphone brands and price points. To maximize reach, Google plans to first roll out Gemini features to existing devices with sufficient processing power, leveraging its ecosystem of over 800 million devices connected via Google Home Cloud-to-Cloud Plus. This phased approach allows Google to test and refine Gemini’s capabilities before launching on new flagship products. Additionally, Google is providing partners with a comprehensive toolkit—including reference hardware designs, SoC recommendations, and an embedded camera SDK—to facilitate the development of
IoTsmart-homeAI-assistantGoogle-Geminiconnected-devicessmart-camerashome-automationAmazon unveils new Echo devices, powered by its Al, Alexa+
At its annual hardware event, Amazon unveiled a new lineup of Echo devices powered by its advanced AI assistant, Alexa+. The four new models—the Echo Dot Max, Echo Studio, Echo Show 8, and Echo Show 11—feature enhanced processing power and memory, enabled by Amazon’s custom-designed AZ3 and AZ3 Pro silicon chips. These chips improve wake word detection, conversation recognition, and support advanced AI models and vision transformers. Notably, the AZ3 Pro devices incorporate Omnisense, a sensor platform that uses cameras, audio, ultrasound, Wi-Fi radar, and other inputs to enable Alexa to respond contextually to events in the home, such as recognizing when a person enters a room or alerting users to an open garage door. The Echo Dot Max ($99.99) offers significantly improved sound with nearly three times the bass, while the Echo Studio ($219.99) boasts a smaller spherical design, spatial audio, Dolby Atmos support, and an upgraded light ring. Both can
IoTsmart-homeAlexaAI-assistantAmazon-Echoedge-computingsmart-devicesRing cameras can now recognize faces and help to find lost pets
Amazon’s Ring announced several new AI-powered features and products aimed at enhancing home security and convenience. The headline feature, “Familiar Faces,” uses artificial intelligence to recognize friends and family members, allowing users to receive alerts only for unfamiliar visitors and reduce unnecessary notifications. This feature integrates with the new Alexa+ Greetings system, which acts as a smart doorbell assistant by providing personalized greetings and managing visitor interactions. Additionally, Ring introduced “Search Party,” an AI-driven tool to help find lost pets by connecting Ring users in the same neighborhood to report sightings voluntarily. Search Party will initially support dogs starting in November, with plans to expand to cats and other pets. These new capabilities will be available on Ring’s upcoming Retinal 2K and Retinal 4K product lines, which feature “Retinal Vision” technology designed to optimize video quality continuously using AI. The Retinal 2K devices include the Indoor Cam Plus ($59.99) and Wired Doorbell Plus ($179.99), while the
IoTsmart-homeAIfacial-recognitionsmart-securitypet-trackingAmazon-RingAlexa+ comes to new Fire TV devices with AI-powered conversations
At Amazon’s fall hardware event, the company unveiled the integration of its upgraded AI assistant, Alexa+, into new Fire TV devices. Alexa+ enhances user interaction by enabling more complex and natural language queries, such as personalized movie or show recommendations based on previous viewing habits or favorite actors. It also provides real-time information during live sports events, including scores, player stats, and highlights, and allows users to find specific scenes in movies or shows through voice commands. Initially, this scene-finding feature supports thousands of Prime Video titles, with plans to expand to other platforms. Alongside the Alexa+ upgrade, Amazon introduced a new lineup of Fire TV hardware, including the Fire TV 2-Series, 4-Series, Omni QLED TVs, and the Fire TV Stick 4K Select. These devices feature improvements such as the Omnisense auto-adjusting brightness technology, Dialogue Boost for clearer audio, and faster performance with new quad-core processors. The flagship Fire TV Omni QLED Series boasts 60%
IoTsmart-homeAlexaAI-assistantFire-TVvoice-controlsmart-devicesCity Ventures Announces Final Sales Release at Grove Village in Santa Rosa - CleanTechnica
City Ventures, a leading California homebuilder specializing in solar-powered and ecologically responsible homes, has announced the final sales release of its Grove Village community in Santa Rosa. The development features traditional, sophisticated homes ranging from approximately 1,806 to 2,473 square feet, with three to five bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and two-car garages. Homes come equipped with City Ventures’ signature energy-efficient features, including all-electric construction, owned solar panels, smart thermostats, Ring doorbells, keyless entry, and induction cooktops. Select floorplans offer additional spaces such as accessory dwelling units, home offices, dens, lofts, and the optional “Santa Rosa Room.” With nearly 90% of homes sold, Grove Village is positioned as a desirable new construction option in a prime location close to downtown Santa Rosa, the Russian River Valley, and local amenities. City Ventures has a strong presence in Santa Rosa, with several other successful communities either sold out or currently selling, including Round Barn and Fox
energysolar-powersmart-homeenergy-efficient-appliancesIoT-devicessustainable-housingelectric-constructionPixar Lamp-style robot, lifelike Siri in Apple’s reported AI plans
Apple is preparing a significant expansion into artificial intelligence with a range of new devices and software enhancements aimed at revitalizing its innovation image and competing with rivals like Samsung, Meta, and Google. Central to this effort is a tabletop robot, targeted for release in 2027, designed as a virtual companion that resembles an iPad on a movable arm. This robot will feature a lifelike version of Siri capable of natural, ongoing conversations and contextual memory, allowing it to interact more like a person in the room by suggesting activities or assisting with planning. Internally nicknamed the “Pixar Lamp,” the device includes a 7-inch horizontal display on a motorized arm and can be controlled remotely via iPhone during video calls. Alongside this, Apple plans to launch a non-robotic smart display next year, running a new multiuser operating system called Charismatic that integrates face recognition and enhanced Siri voice control through a feature called App Intents. In addition to these devices, Apple is advancing its home
robotAIsmart-homeSirihome-securitysmart-displayApple-innovationPhotos: DJI unveils first robot vacuum cleaner with drone-like power
DJI, renowned for its drones, has entered the home cleaning market with the launch of Romo, its first robot vacuum cleaner, unveiled on August 6, 2025, in China. The Romo series includes three models—S, A, and P—priced between $650 and $950, aiming to redefine smart home cleaning by leveraging DJI’s advanced vision and navigation technologies. Unlike typical robot vacuums that use a top-mounted LiDAR, Romo employs two front-facing fisheye cameras and three wide-angle laser modules to detect obstacles as small as 2 millimeters, enabling precise navigation around cables, pet toys, and other small objects. Its AI-driven mapping system stores detailed floor plans locally for privacy and adapts in real-time to obstacles like furniture or pet messes, ensuring efficient cleaning without collisions. The Romo boasts powerful 25,000Pa suction, dual roller brushes to prevent hair tangling, and extendable side arms for edge cleaning. It intelligently adjusts
robotrobot-vacuumsmart-homeAI-navigationDJIcleaning-technologyhome-automationFirst impressions of Alexa+, Amazon’s upgraded, AI-powered digital assistant
The article provides a first-person account of testing Amazon’s upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, which integrates generative AI to enhance its capabilities beyond traditional smart home controls. The author, a former heavy user of Alexa devices, explores whether Alexa+ can maintain its relevance in an era dominated by advanced AI chatbots like ChatGPT. Alexa+ launched in early 2025 and uses multiple AI models, including those from Anthropic, to deliver more intelligent, context-aware responses. It can access and process personal information such as schedules, preferences, and files, and even summarize video footage from Ring cameras. Amazon aims for Alexa+ to perform agentic tasks like booking reservations, ordering rides, and managing shopping lists with delivery, moving toward a more autonomous AI assistant in the home. In the initial phase of testing, the author set up Alexa+ on a new Echo Spot device, noting improvements in the setup process, such as QR code scanning and automatic Wi-Fi connection. The upgrade to Alexa+ was free and reversible
IoTsmart-homeAlexaAI-assistantAmazon-Echogenerative-AIvoice-controlBelkin ends support for most Wemo devices and its Wemo app
Belkin announced it will end technical support for most of its Wemo smart home devices and discontinue the Wemo app as of January 31, 2026. This decision affects a broad range of products, including smart plugs, light switches, bulbs, baby monitors, kitchen appliances, heaters, air purifiers, and motion sensors. After this date, features relying on cloud connectivity—such as remote access and voice integrations—will cease to function, and Belkin will no longer provide technical support, firmware updates, or troubleshooting. However, devices still under warranty at the end-of-life date and those configured for Apple’s HomeKit will continue to operate without Wemo’s cloud services. Belkin explained the move as a strategic shift to focus resources on other parts of its business amid evolving technology, acknowledging the inconvenience this will cause customers. This trend of discontinuing support for older smart home products is becoming common in the industry, with companies like Google similarly phasing out older Nest devices to encourage upgrades.
IoTsmart-homeBelkinWemodevice-supportcloud-connectivitysmart-devicesRing cameras and doorbells now use AI to provide specific descriptions of motion activity
Amazon-owned Ring has introduced a new AI-powered feature for its doorbells and cameras that provides users with specific, text-based descriptions of motion activity detected on their property. Instead of vague alerts, users will receive detailed notifications such as “A person is walking up the steps with a black dog” or “Two individuals are looking into a white car parked in the driveway,” allowing for quicker and more informed responses. This feature currently describes only the first few seconds of motion-activated video clips and is being rolled out as an English-only beta for Ring Home Premium subscribers in the U.S. and Canada, with an option to disable it via the Ring app settings. Ring’s founder and Amazon VP of home security, Jamie Siminoff, revealed plans for further AI enhancements, including combining multiple motion events into a single alert and introducing customizable anomaly alerts that notify users based on personalized definitions of unusual activity. The system will also learn users’ routines to better detect and report irregular events. While these advancements offer promising new
IoTsmart-homeAIsecurity-camerasmotion-detectionhome-automationRing-devicesOver a million people now have access to the gen-AI powered Alexa+
Amazon has expanded access to its upgraded digital assistant, Alexa+, which is powered by generative AI, reaching over one million users through a phased invite-only rollout. The service is currently in Early Access and not publicly available, with invitations sent to customers who signed up to test it initially. Alexa+ offers more natural, conversational interactions, enhanced smart home integration, and personalized experiences by remembering user preferences. During Early Access, the service is free, and it will remain free for Prime members after launch, while non-Prime users will pay $19.99 per month. Alexa+ aims to revitalize Amazon’s voice assistant by incorporating generative AI capabilities that allow users to interact more flexibly and intuitively. Users can issue natural language commands, create routines, search Ring camera footage, and receive AI-generated content such as email summaries, bedtime stories, quizzes, travel itineraries, and smart home activity summaries. The assistant also supports transactional actions like booking reservations or buying tickets, with initial partnerships including OpenTable
IoTsmart-homeAlexagenerative-AIvoice-assistantsmart-thermostathome-automationLG Dualcool AI Air - điều hòa với hai khe thổi gió
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IoTsmart-homevoice-controlenergy-efficiencyair-conditioningAI-technologyuser-experienceSmart Electrical Panel Startup SPANs NREL’s Accelerator Programs
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