from Hacker News

Smart Plug Resets Router Until It Works Again

by bo_Olean on 5/4/16, 7:40 AM with 1 comments

  • by MrQuincle on 5/4/16, 8:03 AM

    That's only one of the functions a truly open source smart plug can do. I don't want to advertise, but these are the functions we have been working on:

    The <redacted> has many functions that can help you around the house. Device recognition is an important enabler for this. Think about:

    1) Identification of an electric kettle: fire can be prevented if somehow the kettle stays on (this happens with a lot of them if you forget to close the lid).

    2) Identification of the television: if someone unplugs the television at night or when you’re not at home, you might want to know.

    3) Identification of phone chargers: remind someone to recharge their phone (especially useful if you use your phone as a wake-up alarm).

    4) Identification of a modem: automatically reset modem when anomalous behavior is detected.

    5) Identification of the fridge: when you leave the house, everything will be turned off except for the fridge!

    6) Identification of devices such as vacuums: if you want to know the power consumption of a vacuum, this should be monitored over multiple power outlets.

    7) Identification of lamps: not all lights can be dimmed, your power outlet can automatically detect this for you. The <redacted> can dim both LED lights and normal lights.

    8) Identification of electric furnaces and heaters: a furnace or heater uses a lot of energy and shouldn't be on when you're not home.

    9) Identification of no device at all: child-lock protect your power outlets; sockets don’t need to be on when you're not nearby.

    This proximity/presence detection of this device is through BLE.

    I think only open-source smart plugs have the future. Let's hope I won't be wrong. :-)