What's interesting about automation?
On April 23-24 in Moscow there was exhibition HI-TECH BUILDING 2024, dedicated to the automation of commercial and residential real estate. The exhibition is held every year and attracts the attention of specialists and enthusiasts who are interested in smart home and modern automation equipment.
We visited the exhibition and invite you to read our report. We will tell you about the stands and new products that interested us.
We take this opportunity to invite readers to another automation exhibition – WBCE 2024, which will take place on April 25 and 26. Therefore, if you did not have time to visit HTB, then all is not lost.
ONOKOM
Company ONOKOM showed modules for air conditioners, with which you can not only control them, but also receive feedback. The good thing about modules is that they support a large number of ecosystems: they can be integrated “out of the box” into automation Wiren Board, Loxone, Larnitech, Sprut.Hub etc. That is, users will not have to write any templates again; it is enough to use ready-made ones. We also note good documentation and training videos. A wide range of air conditioners is supported, the full list can be viewed Here.
Interestingly, modules will soon learn to support fast Modbus.
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Module Electronic
Module Electronic is a manufacturer of equipment for building automation, mainly based on KNX. New temperature, humidity and CO₂ sensors with indicators were shown at the stand. They look like regular keypads and fit well into the interior.
Of course, we could also look at various KNX modules, we were more interested Modbus and KNX RTU gateway IC-MS.1which allows you to connect two ecosystems.
In the fall, Module Electronic plans to add visualization through Yandex Alice.
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JetHome
JetHome demonstrated various devices and modules with Modbus interface. We were interested in the new D2 controller, which will be more powerful and better than the current D1+. The guys promised to add support to it soon fast Modbus. The controller was disassembled; two UXM expansion boards were clearly visible, adding support for Wi-Fi or Zigbee, for example. But through the board you can add support for the 10Base-T1S bus.
They also showed several modules (analog outputs, relays) for the 10Base-T1S bus, which operates with a high throughput of 10 Mbit/s. The SP32 controller is used inside the modules.
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Embedded Systems
company Embedded Systems can be called the elder of the HI-TECH BUILDING 2024 exhibition, the stand was very modest, since the main attention here is paid to partners. Why show the hardware? Everyone already knows him.
Representatives of Embedded Systems at the stand spoke about the protocol CanX. Let us recall that this is an open protocol for managing engineering systems and creating a unified digital environment of buildings and neighborhoods.
The company is also known as a manufacturer of LogicMachine controllers and modules. We recently published overview of an office for 300+ employeesWhere LogicMachine 5 controller used as a KNX IP gateway between the Wiren Board ecosystem and Dali lamps.
HDL
At the stand HDL it was possible to get acquainted with the new products on KNX. The attention of visitors was attracted by the model of a smart home, on which they could see the operation of various functions.
We were also interested Source 7 touchpad with a “twist”. It is based on a 7″ touch screen. The panel can be used to control home automation using an interactive interface and a functional control knob. You can control various functions of the home, including lighting, curtains, air conditioning, heated floors, ventilation, music and scenes. There is a microphone with camera , so nothing prevents you from “screwing” the intercom.
The “designer” cabinets for automation panels were also very interesting. Shield Distribution Box stands out with its beautiful glass door, lighting and glossy finish. The plugs inside are conveniently attached with magnets. The second cabinet is built into the wall and has a large touch screen built into the door. This solution can be recommended, for example, for hotels where there is always little space.
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Sber Devices
Stand Sber Devices was large, but quite empty. On the right stood Sber smart TVon the left, wired and wireless solutions were demonstrated.
It was possible to see the work of Zigbee wireless solutions from Sber Devices: lamps, LED strips, smart buttons, microclimate sensors, leakage sensors, opening sensors, motion sensors, etc. The “heart” of a smart home is a wireless hub. Of course, you can use the Salyut voice assistant to control the functions of your smart home.
We were more interested in wired solutions from Sber Devices. The main component here is universal programmable logic controller for automation. Light control modules with discrete inputs, relays, all also from Sber, are connected to it via Modbus. It's nice that Sber Devices is thinking about reliable wired solutions. Of course, it also has all the branded goodies, such as the Salyut voice assistant.
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seawin
On Seawin stand it was possible to get acquainted with various KNX-based automation equipment. We especially liked four-key panel, which can be pressed on both sides. That is, one panel means eight different clicks. Modules can be purchased in either a plastic or aluminum case. The latter is very pleasant to the touch and looks beautiful.
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Aqara.ru
U Aqara.ru there was a very large stand where they showed a lot of interesting things.
We would call the main novelty M3 hub, introduced January 2024. In addition to the usual Zigbee protocol, it supports a more universal and modern Thread. That’s absolutely right – Aqara will gradually move towards Thread, and in a couple of years, devices supporting this protocol will dominate the company’s product range. In addition, the hub has learned to work locally: the cloud is required only during the initial installation, then all scenarios will work without Internet access. The M3 hub will go on sale very soon.
Today you won’t surprise anyone with Aqara smart lamps. But what about wireless dimmer H1, equipped with a convenient “twist”? It allows you to control the temperature and brightness of lamps, as well as curtains. Soon they promise to release a wired version that does not require a battery.
We also liked the panel with three keys, to which a dimming area was added on the left. Now you don’t need to hold the button to get the required brightness, just swipe across the touch area.
It will be useful to enable various devices two-channel relay T2. At the stand, ball valves were connected to the module, which shut off the water supply in case of leakage. For demonstration leakage sensor T1 they simply threw it into a bowl of water. The tap was shutting off the supply. Then, when the sensor was wiped with a dry towel, the tap turned on the water supply. But other scenarios are also possible, for example, when the owner will re-supply water manually, eliminating the consequences of the leak.
Also at the Aqara stand you could see various smart locks (mortise and overhead), sensors, camera drives for curtains. There was even smart feeder C1 for pets.
If you like Aqara equipment, then buying an M3 hub is not necessary. The equipment can be connected to Wiren Board controller via module WBE2R-R-ZIGBEE v.2.
There was also a lot of talk about the upcoming Aqara presence sensor based on microwave technology. It will be able to detect the number of people, body position, and also works more reliably than the IR sensor. The sensor is currently undergoing certification and will go on sale in the near future.
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GVS
At the stand Chinese manufacturer GVS it was possible to see various automation equipment based on KNX, namely a large range of video intercoms and touch control panels. Moreover, there were classic panels with physical buttons and icons, with which KNX began, and more modern touch models.
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Tantron
Tantron is another manufacturer of KNX equipment. There was a lot of stuff here too, from Aurora panels and keys to automation modules. There were also test cases to touch everything and see it in action.
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Urri
Urri Company traditionally showed its network stereo receivers. The plans include a new model with two 30 W channels. Let us remind you that Urri has integration into the Wiren Board ecosystem.
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LIIS
On LIIS stand traditionally showed the layout of the “Apartment 88” smart home, which can be controlled via touch buttons or a separate panel.
LIIS is known for its Simple Home solution for automation of apartments and houses, and there is a full set of proprietary software and a mobile application. Moreover, the software also works successfully on Wiren Board controllers, which are used in many LIIS projects.
Among the innovations, we were told about the admin panel for integrators: a new interface that was previously used only within the company. Now it will be provided to integrators and installers so that they can more flexibly customize the Simple Home system for their facilities. Including visualization, of course.
In addition, integrators have access to several options for ready-made panels, which reduces the time for preparation and implementation of the project. All you have to do is choose a suitable shield for your apartment (there are 15 varieties available in total), after which you can get to work.
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Z-Wave.me
As you can guess from the name, the company Z-Wave.me offers Z-Wave wireless equipment, but not only.
Among the new products we were told about USB Z-Station controller with support for multiple protocols: Zigbee, Thread BLE and Matter in addition to Z-Wave. You can read more about the controller at the link.
Z-Wave.me colleagues also developed integration with Loxonewhich will take literally ten minutes. Loxone is a fairly popular smart home ecosystem in the world, interesting its convenient and beautiful interface. Loxone is considered by many to be a more modern version of KNX. And now the Loxone smart home can be integrated with the Wiren Board ecosystem with Z-Wave moduleFor example.
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iRidi
Company iRidi has long been engaged in the automation of smart homes and buildings, having developed an ecosystem based on its Bus77 protocol. At the stand it was possible to see iRidi modules and controllers, as well as test their operation in a test case. They showed various panels with switches, sockets, sensors with examples of finishing. There were also touch panels for smart home control. Unlike many other companies, iRidi develops not only its own software, but also produces its own hardware.
Among the new products, we were told about the business model of an ideal integrator. It is a kind of franchise where iRidi offers its full competence and know-how to integrator partners. They will receive a full set of tools that iRidi itself uses: calculation and design in Project Tool, CRM system, sales system, etc. It will be interesting to watch the development of this project.
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Touch On and ab-log.ru
At the stand Touch On And ab-log.ru We were interested in the branded automation controller JetHome D1+. Relay modules manufactured by ab-log.ru, also branded Touch On, were connected to it via Ethernet. Interestingly, this is where we first learned about support fast Modbus on JetHome controllers. Representatives of Touch On said that they are considering the possibility of using Wiren Board modules in their solutions.
Wiren Board
Closing our list is the Wiren Board company, which produces equipment for automation and engineering systems. A new leakage control module was shown at the Wiren Board stand WB-MWAC v2demonstrated for the first time own cloud Wiren Board Cloud is the company’s new service for remote administration of automation systems on Wiren Board controllers, and also showed integration with SCADA systems and smart home visualization software.
In the center of the stand was new Wiren Board 8 controller, which has become even more powerful and better. Among the new products I would like to note WB-BUSHUB – Modbus bus splitter. The sensor was also shown at the stand WB-MSW v.4 in a black case.
Visitors were interested fast Modbus, about which we wrote an article on Habr. It is usually believed that Modbus means delays of seconds, but in this case everything works almost instantly. For many this was a revelation. Recently, a new group control function with confirmation was added to fast Modbus. It sends a broadcast command to switch multiple channels simultaneously. Acknowledgment ensures that all devices have received the command. If some device on the bus “fell off,” an error will occur.
Come April 25 and 26 to us at annual exhibition and conference WBCE. There you can communicate with the developers of Wiren Board equipment, visit the production facility on a tour, touch the devices, see ready-made solutions from partners from a variety of industries, and learn about new vacancies at Wiren Board.
