#CES2019 – In the future when we walk into our homes, saying a single spoken word or phrase will turn on the lights, set the thermostat, turn on the TV, and our dinners will start cooking. That sounds like the home of the future, although for the most part, a lot of that is already possible if you’re willing to pay for it.
However if you’d rather not replace all your fixtures at once, there are some alternatives, such as those by Lutron who has recently announced a fan speed controller that is Alexa enabled. One of the highlights of this controller is the fact that it can be used with existing ceiling fans, which means that all you need to do is replace your current controllers, much like Belkin’s recently announced Wemo wall switches.
The controller can be controlled the good old fashioned way by hand, or it can also be accessed remotely via its accompanying smartphone app, or it given that it is Alexa-enabled, users will also be able to rely on their voice. Unfortunately it seems that there is no support for HomeKit at the moment so for those building a HomeKit-enabled home, we guess you’d have to look elsewhere.
Lutron’s fan speed controller is expected to be made available this coming March where it will be priced at $80. There will also be a separate remote controller that can be purchased for $42.
Filed in . Read more about Alexa, CES, CES 2019, Connected Objects and IoT (Internet of Things).