Vodafone and Samsung have announced at MWC that they are working together to develop and launch a range of consumer Internet of Things (IoT) 'Smart Home' products and services in selected European markets. The "V-Home by Vodafone" portfolio brings together Samsung's "SmartThings" open platform and the "V by Vodafone" consumer IoT system launched in November to offer consumers home automation, security and safety products and services in the form of security cameras, smoke detectors, water leak sensors, smart lighting and smart heating. "V-Home by Vodafone" with the Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi hub will be launched in Spain and Germany in the second quarter followed by other markets later in the year.
The companies added that the suite provides immediate alerts to the customer's smartphone in the event of a home intrusion. It also enables simple remote automation of home appliances and utilities, including voice activation via home voice assistants. The first co-developed and co-branded offering is a "V-Home by Vodafone" starter kit focused on home security and encompassing a Samsung SmartThings Wi-Fi hub measuring 12cm x 12cm x 2.9cm, which manages and interconnects a large number of compatible IoT products to the SmartThings open platform.
The kit also features a security camera with motion detection and built in infra-red for night time, allowing storage of up to 14 days' video in a personal video cloud, a multipurpose sensor that can be placed on a window or door to generate an immediate alert if it is opened or closed unexpectedly, as well as a siren with strobe light that emits a warning of up to 85dB and can be plugged into any power socket.
The devices are controlled via the Vodafone "V-Home Monitor", which is set-up on the customer's smartphone via the SmartThings app so that customers can configure the devices and services to undertake a wide range of functions. To set up the devices, customers need to log into the "V by Vodafone" app on a smartphone, then scan a QR code on the Samsung hub to link the device to their corresponding IoT account.
No price details were provided but the partners said their joint range of smart home IoT devices will continue to expand through 2018, including additional SmartThings sensors plus smart lighting, thermostats and speakers from third party providers under the "Works with SmartThings" programme.
