MOONACHIE, NJ (January 10, 2018) – In a highly competitive market where smart home hubs are everywhere, creating the world’s simplest, smallest and most cost-effective device to transform a dumb home into a smart home might come across as a bold mission.
But ZLINK believes that its Smart Home Hub can stake out a solid position based on its sub-$20 cost, ease of operation, and its primary purpose: exceptional local voice control of Z-Wave systems and devices, such as lighting, thermostats, door locks, and more.
The tiny but powerful ZLINK Smart Home Hub – which has quickly progressed from concept stage to prototype status in an ongoing Indiegogo funding campaign - features built-in Wi-Fi and Z-Wave radios, S2 Security with over-the-air updates, and requires only a USB power supply. Compatible with Amazon Alexa and certified Z-Wave devices, the hub provides voice control via Alexa, iOS and Android apps, as well as a web interface. The company started with Amazon Alexa as its first Smart Home Assistant, as it is the most developed and stable voice assistant currently available (future plans include the addition of Google Home and HomeKit).
The Indiegogo campaign is intended to raise awareness for the project; contributors to the campaign can pre-order the hub alone at a discounted price, or kitted with either ZLINK dimmers or switches (choice of in-wall or plug-in).
“We wanted to create a simple, small, inexpensive way to provide voice control of a Z-Wave system while providing the new S2 Security capability,” explained Mark Walters, CEO of ZLINK. “There are a lot of great hubs out in the market, but we felt they were all too complex, large or expensive. While the initial launch focuses on easy voice control, we will update the ZLINK Smart Home Hub over time to include all the same features of conventional hubs but at a lower price and with the new S2 Security.”
Walters added that the decision to start with Z-Wave was easy, given that it offers the largest, most diverse, most stable ecosystem of products and manufacturers of any home control technology. As ZLINK grows, the company will likely add other technologies such as Bluetooth, BLE and Mesh. Over time, the company will also add more devices for a fully featured, internet-based, remote experience.
ZLINK, conceived and executed by industry experts with deep experience in Home Control, Building Management, and Independent Living, exists to bring to market high-value, innovative solutions that complement the existing field of Certified Z-Wave products. ZLINK will create new products when necessary to complete solutions and will bring new technologies and device types to market. To learn more please visit www.zlinkproducts.com.
ZLINK is exclusively distributed in North America by Z-Wave Products (ZWP), the leading online provider of smart, connected devices built on the Z-Wave protocol.
ABOUT ZLINK
ZLINK, conceived and executed by industry experts with deep experience in Home Control, Building Management, and Independent Living, and headed by Mark Walters, exists to bring to market high-value, innovative solutions that complement the existing field of Certified Z-Wave products. The company’s initial product is the ZLINK Smart Home Hub, intended to provide local voice control of Z-Wave systems and devices, such as lighting, thermostats, door locks, and more.
