SK Telecom today launched Smart Home, a service built on an open IoT platform to realize a safe, convenient and energy-efficient home environment for consumers.
The company held an event at its Seoul headquarters to commemorate the launch of the Smart Home service. Together with diverse partners including iRevo, Winix, KyungDong Navien and Time Valve, SK Telecom introduced four different Smart Home-compatible products - dehumidifier, boiler, door lock and gas valve lock.
SK Telecom stressed that users can conveniently control these home appliances through a single mobile application on user’s smartphone - in a Wi-Fi connected environment* - instead of having to install a mobile application for each and every connected device/appliance. Customers, regardless of their mobile carrier, can use SK Telecom’s Smart Home service by purchasing a SK Telecom Smart Home-compatible device.
*Battery-powered products like door lock and gas valve lock may require a Z-Wave bridge to reduce battery consumption
More importantly, users can also set these connected products to work in an integrated manner according to the user’s situations – e.g. waking-up, leaving home, returning home, going to bed etc. For instance, when activated, the ‘Away Mode’ will automatically lock the door and gas valve, and turn off the boiler and dehumidifier. Also, users can activate the ‘Coming Home Mode’ on their way home from work to turn on the boiler and dehumidifier to create a pleasant home environment just in time for their arrival. SK Telecom expects these features to not only enhance customer safety and convenience, but also result in saving energy costs.
The ultimate vision of SK Telecom’s Smart Home is to create an ideal home environment for customers by not just providing connectivity for a comprehensive range of household products(including both electronic and non-electronic devices/appliances like furniture), but also enabling these products to work flawlessly in harmony to maximize customer experience and value.
The company is currently working actively with a long list of market-leading companies - including Ace Bed, Altoen Daewoo, Banditongsin, Carrier, Daesung Celtic, DS Tek, GE Lighting, Haatz, KyungDong Navien, Kumho Electric, Kyowon L&C, iRevo, MCT, Powervoice, Rinnai, Time Valve, Tongyang Magic, Winia, Winix, Wizit, YPP and Yujin Robot - to set up a more enriched smart home environment. It plans to add air purifier, lighting, smart plug and smart switch to its service platform in the third quarter of this year; water purifier in the fourth quarter; and even connect furniture next year.
By Yeoun Je-hyun
