ZigBee Alliance announces global standard for home automation

November 2, 2007 – The ZigBee Alliance, a global ecosystem of companies creating wireless solutions for us in consumer, commercial building and utility applications, has announced the completion and free public availability of the ZigBee Home Automation (HA) public application profile.

HA will offer manufacturers a standards-based approach to introducing new wireless home automation products globally.  The Alliance is also making available its ZigBee cluster Library (ZCL) that provides engineers with the building blocks for applications with common needs, reducing development expenditure.

“Consumers have been primed for a variety of home automation applications, and the maturing technology ecosystem around home automation, with developments such as the ZigBee Home Automation profiles, are moving the market forward,” said Jonathon Gaw, Research Manager at market research firm IDC.  “The growing global focus on improving energy efficiency can play a key role in introducing consumers to the value of home automation solutions.”

HA will provide standard interfaces for the control of lighting, HVAC, power outlets, motorisation, security, audio/video and other devices.  It was created by ZigBee Alliance members, ensuring that a variety of devices in the automated home work together.

Bob Heile, Chairman of the ZigBee Alliance, commented: “The ZigBee Home Automation Profile provides manufacturers the universal standard application they have been demanding in order to launch a thriving global home automation market allowing consumers everywhere an easy way to reap the numerous savings found in a standards-based wireless home automation network.”