element14 names winning IoT solutions in home automation design competition

CHICAGO, USA: The element14 Community has selected the winning projects in the conclusion of its latest design competition, the “Forget Me Not” challenge, in which 15 finalists around the world created home automation solutions inspired by the Internet of Things movement.

An “IoT Pet Care System” and “Master Switch” won the grand prize, while a safety monitoring device was named Community Choice Winner.

“element14 congratulates Frederick Vandenbosch of Belgium for winning the Grand Prize and Mark Beckett of New Zealand for winning the Community Choice award,” said Dianne Kibbey, Global head of Community, element14. “These two individuals, along with the 13 other talented participants who took part in Forget Me Not are a testament not only to the growing popularity and reach of element14’s numerous design competitions, but to the extremely talented and innovative members that we have on the community.”

Vandenbosch’s “IoT Pet Care System” uses the Raspberry Pi and openHAB/Eclipse SmartHome technology to collect data on the feeding habits of users’ pets. Pressure sensors dispense food and water rations according to those patterns – all of which can be tracked via mobile device. The Pet Care System also employs an EnOcean wireless sensor to monitor the temperature of a room and open or close windows if a pet is left home alone.

For the “Master Switch” system, Vandenbosch combined the EnOcean, Raspberry Pi and OpenHAB platform to establish a single, mountable wall switch that quickly disables all appliances or electronics not requiring a constant power source – such as the washing machine, television, computer or lights – for maximum convenience when leaving the home.

Beckett’s “eLDERmon” project, the Community Choice winner, uses EnOcean wireless sensors and the Raspberry Pi to track movement, temperature, humidity and light levels to better and more safely monitor individuals who may live home alone or require special care.

Competitor Jay Morreale of the US was named runner up for incorporating the Eclipse SmartHome and openHAB design systems into the electrical, lighting, plumbing and entertainment-based renovations to his family’s 100-year-old Victorian home. A door lock monitor, soil moisture monitor and pet feeder are just a few of the systems that can be controlled remotely using Morreale’s new system.