Would you be interested in this?

[Goldy]

Im doing a bit of research for a new product range intended for the residential market. It’s a remote control device that sits between the wall socket and plug. Basically it allows you to turn the power on or off to your home appliances, from anywhere in the World.

It can be controlled by phone app (for iphones currently) or web based application – sending messages via the GSM network to the socket device. The app shows the current on/off status and allows you to remotely switch on or off instantly.

Is there anything like this that already exists? Would you want one?

Im thinking if they came in packs of 3 sockets, with free issue phone app, and maybe 100 free remote switchings after which its 10p a go…?

Interested to hear your thoughts!

 

[Goldy]

What if the sockets were £15 each and the switching was free, plus free iphone app?

The sockets have other features built in i didn't mention. They can log power consumption and give real time readings back to your phone.

Also they have inbuilt temperature sensor, light sensor, and movement detector - doubling up for home security applications. They can send alarms to your phone when an 'event' is triggered, for example movement detected during certain hours, or temperature exceeded.

Plus they look as cool as something Apple Inc developed. Slim design, discrete and clean look.

Thanks for the opinions so far.

 

[Goldy]

Ok, £15 might be a bit over optimistic.

To keep the costs down, 1 socket is the master with a GSM modem. It communicates with other sockets in the home over a RF mesh network to transmit data. All external communications come through the GSM gateway master socket.

All of the stuff already out there looks like cheap tat, with circa 1980's remote controls.

To be honest I was not completely taken with the idea myself. I can't say i've even been in a situation where I have needed to turn something off or on when out the house.

Maybe if it could feed the dog as well?

 

[Goldy]

Scottish power offer something similar which allows you to turn stuff on and off from your phone. Also transmits usage data so you can see how much was being used.

Yep you're right, the Unifi. http://www.scottishpower.co.uk/getunifi/

Never seen this before. Seems to have had a good uptake for Scottish Power. You got to be a customer of theirs first.

Btw people, this is not my product, i've not put a penny towards development or anything. I have been asked to explore sales opportunities in UK market is all. Its kind of already in my area of business in energy management.