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Of course I've always known that Kevin Rose (founder of Digg) was an EcoGeek. But it's good to get a little proof for everyone.
In this video Kevin basically advocates for a "whole house switch" with a twist. These things are, basically, buttons you can push that will turn off all the unnecessary devices in your house whenever you leave. So, basically, everything except your refrigerator.
Kevin's twist is to tie it into his iPhone for device management and GPS capabilities.
So, for example, certain devices could power down whenever Kevin leaves his house. Other devices could power down whenever Kevin was sleeping. But then, if Kevin wakes up, or approaches his home again, the system would know, and automatically turn on the devices he would soon be needing (his PC, his router, etc.)
I love the idea. Whole house switches always seemed to me like they would be ripe for neglect. But this system would be entirely transparent. Taking responsibility out of the user's hand is generally a powerful solution to these kinds of problems.
But we'll have to wait and see if anyone snatches up the idea. To me, it sounds like a pretty killer ap. for the Android platform. Like many things, it'd be a lot simpler to do with an Open Source platform.
Via Smart Planet
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written by The Food Monster, August 13, 2008
http://thefoodmonsterblog.blogspot.com
This is a great idea for all iphone users. I still think, that even without the proximity, wiring such that a few master switches for sleep, leaving the house, etc. would be great to control the entire house.
This is a great idea for all iphone users. I still think, that even without the proximity, wiring such that a few master switches for sleep, leaving the house, etc. would be great to control the entire house.
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written by Akos3D, August 13, 2008
This Kevin guy is on the right track somehow.
Only that he wants to oversynchronise his (and his family members) life. This will never work (sell/make money for Apple).
But.
Still there is a good possibility behind.
Make equipments to switch OFF, when NOBODY is around. This can also be done easily and still will save lots of money/power. Then you can still decide to turn the given stuff on again when you return.
Anyway, saving (mentioned above by someone) £40 per family per year seems enermous money when multiplied by the hundreds of millions of families living in USA, EU, CHINA, ...
I would actually like to see a governmental ruling to include this technology in lots of home appliences.
Just to tell you the truth, I actually switched off ligths downstairs, while we were up here with the kids (being a good eco-guy), but left the TV on, only because it was three more steps away and kids were already screaming around... (being a bad eco-guy). So, it is not always about my brain and power in my arms to switch off everything.
When its automatic, people will "use" it. If you only ask for it people will "forget" it. This is the point.
Only that he wants to oversynchronise his (and his family members) life. This will never work (sell/make money for Apple).
But.
Still there is a good possibility behind.
Make equipments to switch OFF, when NOBODY is around. This can also be done easily and still will save lots of money/power. Then you can still decide to turn the given stuff on again when you return.
Anyway, saving (mentioned above by someone) £40 per family per year seems enermous money when multiplied by the hundreds of millions of families living in USA, EU, CHINA, ...
I would actually like to see a governmental ruling to include this technology in lots of home appliences.
Just to tell you the truth, I actually switched off ligths downstairs, while we were up here with the kids (being a good eco-guy), but left the TV on, only because it was three more steps away and kids were already screaming around... (being a bad eco-guy). So, it is not always about my brain and power in my arms to switch off everything.
When its automatic, people will "use" it. If you only ask for it people will "forget" it. This is the point.
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written by Vadrosaul, August 13, 2008
This isn't a green solution, it's simply an adaptation that tacitly contributes to laziness and overconsumption.
If you have so many devices running that you would actually need to tie them into a global switch, you have habitual problems with running too many things at once.
If you have so many devices running that you would actually need to tie them into a global switch, you have habitual problems with running too many things at once.
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written by Angry African, August 13, 2008
Cool and simple idea. It addresses a fundamental flaw in many green products - action by the consumer. The car and the light bulb (and electricity switch of the blog) work because the consumer feels like an "activist". They are making the difference through their action. The problem is most green products or devices have little work for the consumer and they are passive in being just the buyer. All the "goodness" is in the manufacturing - leaving the consumer to just pick up the tab. More on this at http://angryafrican.net/2008/0...-will-buy/
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written by Frank, August 13, 2008
This is a total waste.
Each outlet that is plugged in still has to be powered so that it can receive a signal from the base station to know when to turn on and off.
You are just swapping energy consumption from one device to another.
There might be a little power savings with the receiver shut off (compared to the outlet device and base station vs the receiver) but the power is going to be increased when the receiver is on (now you have the receiver and the outlet device and the base station consuming power)
Even if these things are cheap ($10 each) it will still take years to pay for them selves.
And what about the energy used to produce and ship them
Each outlet that is plugged in still has to be powered so that it can receive a signal from the base station to know when to turn on and off.
You are just swapping energy consumption from one device to another.
There might be a little power savings with the receiver shut off (compared to the outlet device and base station vs the receiver) but the power is going to be increased when the receiver is on (now you have the receiver and the outlet device and the base station consuming power)
Even if these things are cheap ($10 each) it will still take years to pay for them selves.
And what about the energy used to produce and ship them
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written by Austin, August 13, 2008
You can already do this with a Control4 system. I have this in my home right now.
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written by Karsten, August 14, 2008
In my opinion, the green revolution will not occur if people do not change their habits or are led to believe that technology will do it for them. While installing a awitch to automatically turn off devices is great, it will result in people not turning off anything or think about their actions a whole lot more. The mind-set does not develop. If you force people top take 5 minute showers, they will take 45 minute showers anytime they can. If they do it because they have learned that it is a problem.
I would not mind a main switch to turn off everything other than fridge. I will install something like this when I build my small eco-home one fine day.
Karsten
http://www.polluteless.com
I would not mind a main switch to turn off everything other than fridge. I will install something like this when I build my small eco-home one fine day.
Karsten
http://www.polluteless.com
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written by Don Marang, August 15, 2008
I think the product your dreaming of is already available for the most part. A home automation company, SmartHome.com, has developed a automation technology called INSTEON. This line of power switches and sensors improve on the decade old X10 automation that was developed by X10.com and sold by Radio Shack, Sears, and many others. Both these technologies control lights and appliances over the current house power lines. These devices have been available for several years and even control your home entertainment system, pool filters, alarm, hot tub, thermostat, and much more. Within the last month, they introduced the NetLinc. It connects directly to an ethernet port on your home router and makes it possible to control all your INSTEON controled devices anywhere in your home by WiFi or anywhere in the world by the internet from any computer or iPhone. In fact, If you buy a whole house NetLinc kit now, they will throw in an iPhone free. I don't think they have any product yet that controls devices based on GPS location. But give SmartHome a call or email, it might be in development. They do have motion sensors that can be used for home security alarms and/or detecting human presence for automated control of lights, appliances and electronic equipment. Survailence cameras can be installed and the video can be seen by the same home control interface on your iPhone from anywhere. Read more at: http://www.smarthome.com/2412N.html?src=RSS200511
Hank, my daughter, a NerdFighter, says Hi.
Hank, my daughter, a NerdFighter, says Hi.
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Epic fail. >:(