The home of the future took another step toward reality today when Honeywell announced voice command capabilities for Tuxedo Touch, its touchscreen security and home automation controller that can serve as the central hub of a connected home or business. The technology now allows homeowners to use select voice commands such as “leaving the house” to perform a range of tasks, including arming their security systems, adjusting their thermostats, turning their lights on or off and locking their doors.
“Security today is just as much about the user experience as it is about keeping homes and businesses safe, and adding voice command capabilities to Tuxedo Touch is the latest illustration of that trend,” explained Alan Stoddard, senior marketing director, Honeywell Security Products Americas.
In addition to the voice capabilities, Honeywell announced several other enhancements to Tuxedo Touch, including:
- The ability to record video captured by security cameras
- Remote-upgradeable software that can be updated remotely without having to schedule on-site service
- Support for higher-resolution cameras that use H.264 and ONVIF protocol
“We’ve received good feedback from security dealers and custom electronics professionals about Tuxedo’s ability to create affordable connected homes, and the enhancements we’ve made are aimed at helping them distinguish their offerings and growing their businesses,” Stoddard said.
Tuxedo Touch is the newest member of Honeywell’s VISTA® series of home and building control solutions, which also include the newly launched VISTA Automation Module (VAM) that provides affordable, local home monitoring and control on mobile devices. Tuxedo Touch can connect a home’s or business’ VISTA security system with Z-Wave® thermostats, locks, lighting systems and shades. Consumers can program the Tuxedo Touch, for example, to automatically lower thermostats and close shades when the security system is armed. Additionally, the product features a built-in Web server that allows users to control it using Web-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets while on premises. Tuxedo Touch is also compatible with Honeywell’s Total Connect™ Remote Services, which allows homeowners to control their systems anywhere with an Internet connection.
