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