CocoonTech.com is proud to announce its first hardware project: CT*AMEE.
.: about :.
For several years, we have been studying what Cocooners would like to see in the 'perfect' home automation controller. While there never will be a 'perfect' home automation controller, CocoonTech.com is attempting to release a device which will be one of the most flexible controllers on the market. While the specifications aren't final yet, there is a working prototype.
This is where we need your help. We have a working unit, but we need to know how large the demand would be for such a device, as we need to finalize our contract/design with the manufacture. We will also need a few beta testers to work out any remaining bugs, but it would require some serious dedication. Application details will be posted once we have more units in our hands.
We truly believe this is a product which many Cocooners have been looking for, but if there are other major features which you would like to see that aren't on the list below, please don't hesitate to post them. Keep in mind that this is not a security panel, just a home automation controller (i.e., will not undergo a UL type certification).
.: features :.
.: the name :.
AMEE is the 'robot' in the Red Planet movie, with a rather interesting AI. Another intriguing fact is that the computer voice used in this movie (Lucille) was actually done by the AT&T speech engine which many of us use, so we thought it would be fitting to use this name.
.: availability and pricing :.
We are planning on selling this unit for around $350-$450. Final price will depend on how many units will be preordered since our manufacture will adjust the pricing for every 50 units ordered. Our goal is to offer the first beta units within the next 3 months, assuming there are no major issues. Once CT*AMEE has been released, we plan on selling it exclusively through AutomatedOutlet.com, since they are an official partner in this project.
More photos of the hardware will be posted in the next few days.
.: about :.
For several years, we have been studying what Cocooners would like to see in the 'perfect' home automation controller. While there never will be a 'perfect' home automation controller, CocoonTech.com is attempting to release a device which will be one of the most flexible controllers on the market. While the specifications aren't final yet, there is a working prototype.
This is where we need your help. We have a working unit, but we need to know how large the demand would be for such a device, as we need to finalize our contract/design with the manufacture. We will also need a few beta testers to work out any remaining bugs, but it would require some serious dedication. Application details will be posted once we have more units in our hands.
We truly believe this is a product which many Cocooners have been looking for, but if there are other major features which you would like to see that aren't on the list below, please don't hesitate to post them. Keep in mind that this is not a security panel, just a home automation controller (i.e., will not undergo a UL type certification).
.: features :.
- hardware
- Intel Xscale processor (667 Mhz)
- 2 USB ports (supporting mass storage, serial port hubs, etc.)
- 2 serial ports (DCE)
- 10/100 ethernet interface
- 16 onboard inputs (digital or analog, 10 bit)
- 8 onboard digital outputs
- V.92 modem, with CID support
- 1-wire interface
- Bluetooth 2.1 interface (great for RFID!)
- ZigBee IEEE 802.15.4-2003 interface
- RS485 interface (supporting AlphaNet, ADInet, Elk, and more coming soon)
- 1 IR zone (RX,TX) using stereo jacks (zones can be expanded using SECU16)
- Unit can be clustered for high availability, or to monitor remote locations (IPSEC)
- Fits in a standard 14" structured wiring can
- 12 VDC (with battery terminals)
- software
- Linux based firmware
- Cepstral TTS engine
- CT*flex scripting/rule engine
- Web based interface (with AJAX and SSL support)
- Native ZigBee, Insteon, UPB, Z-wave, Insteon support, X10 (using serial/USB interfaces, except for ZigBee)
- major features
- 2 modes: 'home' and 'advanced'. You can either use the rule wizard to generate very powerful rules quickly without having to know or learn a new language, or you can use the advanced CT*flex scripting engine. CT*flex supports serial and IP based communications, advanced math and ASCII string processing and much more.
- No client software is required
- Because the firmware is Linux based (2.6 kernel), you can create your own drivers, or modify the existing ones.
.: the name :.
AMEE is the 'robot' in the Red Planet movie, with a rather interesting AI. Another intriguing fact is that the computer voice used in this movie (Lucille) was actually done by the AT&T speech engine which many of us use, so we thought it would be fitting to use this name.
.: availability and pricing :.
We are planning on selling this unit for around $350-$450. Final price will depend on how many units will be preordered since our manufacture will adjust the pricing for every 50 units ordered. Our goal is to offer the first beta units within the next 3 months, assuming there are no major issues. Once CT*AMEE has been released, we plan on selling it exclusively through AutomatedOutlet.com, since they are an official partner in this project.
More photos of the hardware will be posted in the next few days.
:lol:
