Belkin announces WeMo Home Automation System

(Playa Vista, CA) -January 9, 2012 – Belkin today launched WeMo, a line of simple, modular home automation products that allows household electronics to be controlled from anywhere using a mobile app on a smartphone or tablet. Consisting of two initial products, the WeMo Home Control Switch and the WeMo Motion Sensor, WeMo is a customizable, accessible home automation solution designed to simplify home maintenance and bring peace of mind to busy families and individuals on the go.

WeMo works with a home’s existing electrical system and requires only a Wi-Fi® network and free smartphone app to set up and control. Simply plug the WeMo Home Control Switch into any electrical outlet and then plug in any device, such as a lamp, into the WeMo Home Control Switch. Through the free smartphone app, the item then can be turned on or off remotely or scheduled to turn on and off at set times. The second product in the line is the WeMo Motion Sensor, which works with the WeMo Home Control Switch to make your device react to motion. Used together, WeMo can create a home environment that can turn a light on when someone walks in a room, or off when no one is present.“Traditional home automation often involves expensive custom installation, but WeMo uses familiar technology to create a plug-and-play solution for controlling gadgets and appliances remotely and is simple enough for the entire family,” said Kevin Ashton, general manager for Belkin. “WeMo is designed to make the technical part of life easier, so you have more time to enjoy the spontaneous and organic moments in life that we all cherish. It’s home automation for the rest of us.”

 

AVAILABILITY The WeMo Home Control Switch and WeMo Motion Sensor are the first two products in the WeMo line and will be available in summer 2012 at major retailers in the United States and online at Amazon.com and Belkin.com. The free WeMo app also will be available for download in summer 2012. Availability of future WeMo products is unavailable at this time.

WeMo Home Control Switch (F7C027fc) – $49.99

  • A plug that becomes a programmable on and off switch for any household device, from fans to lights
  • Turns devices on or off from anywhere by using a smartphone
  • Creates schedules for devices to turn on or off, and rules based on other sensors connected to Wi-Fi network
  • Can work in tandem with the WeMo Motion Sensor, or as a stand-alone product
  • Requires free WeMo app

 

WeMo Motion Sensor + Home Control Switch (F5Z034fc) – $99.99

  • Detects movement, and devices plugged into the WeMo Home Control Switch can be programmed to react to motion
  • Requires free WeMo app
  • Motion sensor sold with WeMo Home Control Switch

 

The Home Control Switch and Motion Sensor are just the beginning of a full line of WeMo products designed to create a scalable, customizable system for simple, whole-home management. Future WeMo products still in development will include a remote garage door opener, door lock, lighting controls, and a baby monitor that lets you monitor sounds from your baby’s room from anywhere through your Wi-Fi network.

The Home Control Switch and Motion Sensor will debut at Pepcom’s Digital Experience! on January 9, 2012, in Las Vegas. These and prototypes of future WeMo products will also be on display in Belkin’s booth, South Hall #30651, at the 2012 International CES, January 10–13, 2012.

About Ruslan Ulanov 103 Articles
Ruslan Ulanov is a software engineer by day and Smart Home hacker by night. He got fascinated by potential of home automation over a decade ago, when it was available to select few. Over the years experimented with smart products using different technologies from X10 to Insteon to ZigBee. Actively supports new smart home developments on Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

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