NEW YORK, March 22 — Created by General Electric and Quirky, the unit slots into a window, learns your preferences and can help to save money.
Although the Internet of Things and appliances designed to connect to the web are still in their nascent phase, products designed to be simple to use, that learn about their owner, and help them cut their bills, are already proving popular. For proof, look no further than the Nest Learning Thermostat.
And like the Nest’s thermostat, the Aros could turn out to be equally successful when it goes on sale in May. It is designed to slot into a window like a traditional AC unit. However, this one also connects to the home network via Wi-Fi and is controlled via a smartphone app.
As well as acting like a long-distance remote control — as long as the user can access the Internet via his or her smartphone, they can start up or shut down the unit — the app allows users to set a monthly budget and will help them keep track of their spending on energy bills, pushing out notifications when the budget is running out.
Financial management is just one element. The unit leans from the user’s geographical location, his or her schedule — when they leave and return home — and the weather forecast to become more efficient and useful.
For example if it knows the family gets home on Mondays at 8pm, it will fire up the fans at just the right moment to ensure the house is at exactly the right temperature when the key turns in the door.
The Aros will go on sale in the US May and will retail for US$300 (RM992). — AFP-Relaxnews
