Japanese IoT company, Nature, has made available in Australia a product, Remo 3, that enables any device operated via an infrared remote controller to be controlled through a smartphone app.
The product, Nature Remo 3, comprises the app and a wall-mounted device with inbuilt sensors that communicates to the phone via Bluetooth low energy and via infrared to the unit to be controlled.
Nature says: “You can cool/heat your home automatically and control your AC from anywhere through a mobile app. When linked to a smart speaker or voice assistant, you can also control the AC with your voice.
“The Nature Remo 3 allows users to create automation triggers like GPS location and timers, while built-in environmental sensors for temperature, humidity, lighting, and movement automatically operate the air conditioner. … A motion sensor can also automatically turn your appliances on/off when you enter the room.”
Nature says the Remo 3 is supported by a large database of preregistered remotes which enables users to quickly register new appliances. AC brands supported include LG, Frigidaire, Daikin, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, and TV brands: LG, Samsung, Sony, TCL, Vizio among others. Smart speakers supported are Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple Homepod.
Nature is located in Tokyo, but says it was “incubated at Harvard University.” The Remo 3 can be ordered, price $139, direct from Nature or from Amazon.
Moves to standardise remote control interfaces
There have been several initiatives aimed at standardising remote control of devices in the home. Back in 2015 the AllSeen Alliance unveiled a smart home standard interface for controlling and monitoring smart appliances and entertainment devices in the home, but without the participation of Google, Apple or Samsung.
The Alliance merged with the Open Connectivity Foundation in 2016 and in January 2020 OCF announced the OCF’s 2.1 specification claiming it to be “the world’s first international standard for smart home.”
