MILPITAS, CA — (Marketwire) — 01/04/13 — The Raspberry Pi, an inexpensive yet powerful mini-computer that-s taking the development world by storm, is about to get smarter. The new intelligence arrives via a plug-in module that adds Z-Wave, the key enabling technology behind the wireless home control and automation revolution. The marriage of the two technologies will be launched at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, January 8-11 and shown at the Z-Wave Alliance exhibit, booth #20800, South Hall #1.
Z-Wave Alliance member Z-Wave.me is introducing the , a kit incorporating a Z-Wave hardware module that snaps on the Raspberry Pi-s serial connector, along with the award winning Z-Wave protocol stack and firmware . Together, these two products make it possible for developers to access the huge Z-Wave ecosystem of home control products, and gives them the ability to create their own unique, inexpensive, powerful control and automation solutions. Z-Wave provides the world-s largest ecosystem of interoperable products, such as lighting and HVAC controls, window and shade controls, door lock and access controls, as well as a multitude of sensors and actuators. Raspberry Pi provides the access to user control from smart phones, tablets, browsers, HDMI devices and the cloud.
Connecting the new RaZberry plug-in to the Raspberry Pi empowers the mini-computer with impressive new capabilities for the exploding smart home market. By using Raspberry Pi as a Z-Wave gateway, businesses and consumers can connect the computer to any Z-Wave compatible home automation solution and be assured of interoperable compatibility between brands. There are now more than 700 certified home control products and services available in the Z-Wave Alliance portfolio. The RaZberry plug-in can easily be connected to the Raspberry Pi without the need for any specialized knowledge — users simply insert the Z-Wave plug-in module into the mini-computer-s GPIO (General Purpose Input/Output). The RaZberry kit contains optimized firmware for Z-Wave, as well as a license for Z-Way, which is the controller software that the Raspberry Pi requires in order to be able to read the Z-Wave wireless protocol.
The Z-Way software also provides users with an initial user interface demo, through which all the functionality provided by the Z-Wave wireless technology can be tested. It also includes a JSON (Java Script Object Notation) interface integrated into the software. JSON is a compact data format which provides both humans and machines with an easy to read text format, which makes it possible for even programming novices to create their own user interfaces for iPhones, Android phones and web browsers.
The combination of the inexpensive Raspberry Pi and the Z-Wave plug-in module also make the technology suitable for commercial applications. The two components combine to provide a robust gateway solution, with straightforward connection to a typical grouping of Z-Wave components. In the event of a broad-scale commercial deployment with a large number of components being connected, users can acquire additional Z-Way software licenses from Z-Wave.
With a price tag of about $59 US, the RaZberry kit makes it easy and affordable for anyone to build Z-Wave applications on the Raspberry Pi.
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Established in 2005, the Z-Wave Alliance is an open consortium of leading companies worldwide dedicated to delivering affordable, reliable easy-to-use, wireless home control products and services. With more than 700 interoperable products certified and over 160 members, the Alliance represents the largest ecosystem of wireless control products in existence and the global, brand-recognized companies that bring these products and services to market. The Alliance supports its members with marketing, networking, technical forums, training, best practices, test and certification tools and a complete interoperability lab. For more information on or to join the Alliance, please email or visit .
Z-Wave is an international wireless standard for intelligent, interoperable, low-power, RF mesh networking technology. This powerful smart chip and compact protocol enable two-way RF communications amongst Z-Wave enabled devices, thus allowing products and services from multiple manufacturers to work seamlessly. Z-Wave continues to be the technology of choice for industry leaders representing: Home Automation, Remote Home/Health Monitoring, Home Entertainment, Smart Home Control, Energy Management and Connected Home Services. Z-Wave enabled products represent the world-s largest ecosystem of interoperable smart products – .
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