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  • Author Author: Eavesdropper
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Smart-home automation with Microsoft’s HomeOS

Eavesdropper

 

 

With all the smart-devices in our homes it only makes sense that Microsoft would come up with a way to control them all within a centralized hub. Devices like smart-fridges, automated coffee makers, motion sensors and mobile phones can all be manipulated through the use of Microsoft’s HomeOS software which turns your home into a sort of smart-house. Researchers designed the software using what they call ‘PC-like abstraction’ which is a fancy term for their specialized software kernel (written using C# and Net 4.0) that gives our appliances the ability to communicate to a computer as well as being remotely-operated through mobile devices. For the past 8 months, researchers have been testing HomeOS in 12 homes with promising results according to Microsoft. In fact over 50 students have already been writing various apps for the software with some letting the user control gaming consoles and Blu-ray players directly from your mobile phones and tablets which will be available on Microsoft’s HomeStore in the near future. As of now, the HomeOS SDK is available for free to any academic institutions (schools) to encourage teaching on automated homes with no word yet as to when it will become available to the general public.


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HomeOS logo (via Microsoft)

 

 

Eavesdropper

 

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  • in reply to DAB

    Hi

     

    can anyone help me from where to get SDK for microsoft homeos. i need to give a presentation on Homeos nd its working as per my supervisor demand. So any help in this regard will b very much apreciated.

     

    Thank you

  • in reply to Catwell

    In itself, the HomeOS is just a convenient structure on which you could build a simple automation structure.

    In truth, it is a really simple structure, you can build one yourself in a couple of hours.  The only advantage to a "standard" would be the availability to create applications that could be easily implemented in each "smart" house.

     

    I would not worry too much about being under constant surviellence by the house.  Until it becomes sentient, it just has too much data to worry about.  Once it becomes sentient, its too late.

     

    Just a thought.

    DAB

  • in reply to DAB

    With such a connected home, I would fear being watched at all times.

     

    It is about time the homes get with the times. Most houses I have been in are parallel to an old V8 car from the 80s, not efficient.

    If a simple "smart" thermostat can reduce the power bill substantially, while learning your behaviour, what would a HomeOS do for us?

     

    You are completely right.

     

    Cabe

  • Hi E,

     

    Microsoft has developed a very "Object" oriented application.  The Home OS is just like anyother OS, it is just configured to treat all of the house sensors and devices as objects which can be turned on, off, put on timers, event activated, etc.

     

    Imagine the power you could create for a house using the low power MSP430 line to control your smart sensors.  The amount of code and power needed would be minimal, but you could make the devices react to the occupants.  This last point is key to installing this control system in houses for the elderly and disabled.  They should not need to do anything but live in the house, while the house monitors them and keeps the house devices responding to their needs.  It would only take a small applicatioin to detect when a person was in need of assistance and automatically notify emergency personnel.

     

    Another note, this approach would be perfect to reduce home break ins.  The house could detect anomalies and notify you and the authorities very quickly.  This application has a tremendous potential to take a bite out of crime.  I wonder if it would support home self defense weapons/applications? image

     

    The bite out of crime could be, shall we say, escalated?

     

    Just a thought,

    DAB