Tag Archives: home

Tewke’s Tap Light Switch Brings Energy Efficiency and Home Automation

February 5, 2025CES 2025, Gadgets, Homeces2025, connected home, gadgets, home, home automation, light, power, smarthomePLUGHITZ Live

In an era characterized by rapid technological advancements, the concept of home automation has gained significant traction. One of the most fundamental yet often overlooked components of this transformation is the light switch. Traditionally, light switches have served a simple purpose: to turn lights on and off. However, with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced sensor technology, companies like Tewke are redefining what a light switch can do, paving the way for smarter, more efficient homes.

The Concept of the Smart Light Switch

The smart light switch, as envisioned by Tewke, is not merely a device for controlling lighting; it is a comprehensive home automation hub. The company’s flagship product, Tap, exemplifies this vision. Tap is a full touchscreen light switch that replaces traditional switches and integrates seamlessly with existing electrical systems. Unlike conventional switches, Tap features a beautiful OLED screen that provides users with an interactive experience. This innovation allows homeowners to control not only their lighting but also other aspects of their home environment, such as temperature and air quality.

Harnessing AI for Energy Management

One of the most compelling features of Tewke’s Tap is its ability to optimize energy consumption through AI automation. By utilizing advanced algorithms and data from multiple sensors, Tap can learn user behaviors and preferences, making real-time adjustments to improve energy efficiency. For instance, the device can automatically turn off lights in unoccupied rooms or adjust heating settings when no one is home. Such capabilities are not only convenient but also contribute to significant energy savings. Reports from the UK indicate that users can save nearly 50% on their energy consumption simply by allowing Tap to manage their home environment.

Tap goes beyond basic lighting control by incorporating a suite of sensors that monitor various environmental factors. These include Doppler radar for presence detection, microphones for voice commands, temperature sensors, and volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors. By analyzing this data, Tap can provide insights into the overall health of the home environment. For example, if elevated VOC levels are detected, the device can suggest practical actions, such as opening a window or using an exhaust fan. This proactive approach to home management empowers users to maintain a healthier living space without needing to sift through complex data.

User-Centric Design and Accessibility

The design philosophy behind Tap emphasizes user experience and accessibility. The touchscreen interface allows for intuitive interaction, making it easy for anyone in the household to engage with the device. Moreover, Tewke is exploring subscription models that would enable continuous software updates, ensuring that users benefit from new features and improvements over time. This approach not only enhances the longevity of the product but also fosters a sense of community among users who can share insights and experiences.

Addressing Practical Concerns

While the technological advancements presented by Tap are impressive, practical considerations also play a crucial role in its adoption. The initial cost of approximately $300 per unit may be a barrier for some consumers. However, the potential for long-term savings on energy bills and the convenience of enhanced home automation may justify the investment. Additionally, Tewke is developing more affordable versions of its product, such as capacitive touch modules without screens, to cater to various needs and budgets.

Conclusion

The reinvention of the light switch through AI technology represents a significant leap forward in home automation. By transforming a simple device into a smart home hub, companies like Tewke are not only enhancing user experience but also promoting energy efficiency and environmental health. As the demand for smart home solutions continues to grow, the integration of AI in everyday devices like light switches will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our living spaces. The journey toward smarter homes has just begun, and innovations like Tap are leading the way.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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VCycene’s Tackling the Organic Waste Crisis One Kitchen at a Time

February 5, 2025CES 2025, Gadgets, Homeces2025, compost, gadgets, homePLUGHITZ Live

In recent years, the issue of food waste has garnered significant attention, with the United Nations identifying it as a global crisis. As our society becomes increasingly aware of the environmental impact of waste, innovative solutions are emerging to address this pressing problem. One such solution is the development of an AI-powered Lila home composting system by VCycene. Their approach not only tackles food waste at its source but also transforms it into high-quality compost, promoting sustainability and eco-friendliness in our daily lives.

The Challenge of Food Waste

Food waste is a multifaceted issue that contributes to environmental degradation, greenhouse gas emissions, and loss of resources. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), approximately one-third of the food produced globally is wasted, amounting to about 1.3 billion tons each year. This waste not only represents a significant economic loss but also exacerbates climate change as decomposing food in landfills releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. To combat this issue, effective waste management strategies are essential, and composting presents a viable solution.

The Role of AI in Composting

VCycene’s innovative home composting device leverages artificial intelligence to streamline the composting process. Traditional composting can be labor-intensive and requires specific knowledge of how to balance green and brown materials, manage moisture levels, and control temperatures. However, the Lila AI-powered system developed by VCycene automates much of this process, making it accessible to the average homeowner.

The device features a dual-chamber design, where users can separate soft food waste from harder materials like bones and fibrous vegetables. The system utilizes an AI sensor to monitor and control the aerobic composting process, ensuring optimal conditions for microbial activity. This precise control addresses common composting challenges, such as odor management and the breakdown of tough materials, ultimately resulting in mature compost within just seven days.

User-Friendly Design

One of the standout features of VCycene’s composting system is its user-friendly design. Homeowners can easily dispose of their food scraps without extensive preparation. After a meal, users simply place soft waste in one compartment and harder waste in another. The device then automatically processes these materials, reducing them to a size conducive to composting. This passive approach to waste management encourages users to participate in sustainable practices without the burden of complicated procedures.

The end product – a high-quality organic fertilizer – can be utilized for gardening, promoting a circular economy where waste is transformed into a resource. This not only benefits individual households but also contributes to a larger movement toward sustainable living.

Accessibility and Affordability

Recognizing that price can be a barrier to adoption, VCycene offers various purchasing options, including leasing and financing support. With a retail price of $999, the device may seem steep at first glance, but the ability to rent or finance the purchase makes it more accessible to a broader audience. By lowering financial barriers, the company aims to encourage more households to adopt composting practices, thereby amplifying the positive environmental impact.

Conclusion: A Powerful Way to Repurpose Your Food Waste

The Lila home composting system developed by VCycene represents a significant advancement in sustainable waste management. By automating the composting process and making it user-friendly, these systems not only help reduce food waste but also empower individuals to contribute to a more sustainable future. As we continue to grapple with the challenges of food waste and its environmental implications, embracing such innovative technologies will be crucial in fostering a culture of sustainability and responsibility in our everyday lives. The integration of AI into home composting is not just a technological advancement; it is a step toward a greener, more sustainable planet.

Interview by Scott Ertz of F5 Live: Refreshing Technology.

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Task Complete: Aiper keeps your pool clean without cords @ CES 2023

February 24, 2023CES 2023, Gadgets, Home, Roboticsces2023, gadgets, home, pool, robot, roboticsPLUGHITZ Live

Aiper Pool Cleaning Robot If you own a pool, you know that maintaining the pool can be a pain. Between keeping the pH balance correct, a garage full of various chemicals, a constant fight against leaves, plus keeping the bottom clean, there is always something to do. There have been machines to help with the process, like filters and vacuums, but even that isn’t perfect. However, Aiper has a line of underwater robots to make maintaining your pool easier.

What is Aiper?

Aiper is a robotics company that makes an entirely cordless robotic pool cleaner. This machine is able to maneuver itself around the bottom of your pool without any obstructions and keep the surface of the pool clean. Because of its design, it is also able to come out of the water slightly in order to clean the ring around the pool above the water surface and below the deck.

If you’ve had an indoor robotic vacuum, you generally understand the concept. The machine goes into the water and travels around the surface to keep it clean. The system maps out the surface of the pool ahead of time, which helps it to ensure that a complete cleaning is accomplished. The robot is also battery-powered and easily rechargeable. In fact, it only takes 90 minutes for a complete charge. To keep the robot itself clean, simply remove the filter, empty it out, and put it back in.

Why choose Aiper?

We’ve all seen pool cleaners that live under the water. Traditionally, these machines have a very long shop vac pipe that pulls behind them. Using that tube, the machine is able to essentially vacuum the bottom of the pool, with the suction coming from the other end of the tube. This design is functional, but also creates a lot of problems.

The tubes often get tied up in knots as the cleaner goes under them. This prevents the machine from completing its cleaning path and can also cause damage to the tube itself. If the cleaner doesn’t get under the tube, it might just get caught and stopped, once again ending the cleaning cycle whether or not the pool is clean. in either case, you’re going to have to get involved, often inside of the pool, and resolve the issue.

This is where the biggest win comes in for Aiper. Since the Aiper robotic cleaners are battery-powered with their vacuums built into the machine, there are no tubes. This means that there is no chance that it gets caught up in itself. All of this prevents interaction from the owner and significantly reduces the chances of damage to the machine or other items, including toys, in the pool.

Summary

Several models of the Aiper robotic pool vacuums are available now. The newest model, the Aiper Seagull Pro, will release on March 20, 2023. You can purchase the existing models or pre-order the new model at the company’s store. To learn more about the company and the full line of products, you can go to the company’s website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Atmofizer: Clean technology is making air quality better @ CES 2022

February 28, 2022CES 2022, Gadgets, Healthair, ces2022, gadgets, Health, homePLUGHITZ Live

Atmofizer air cleaner People are taking more notice of the quality of the air around them. Whether it be pollutants from vehicles in the city or illness spread through the air, what we breathe in is more important than ever. This is where Atmofizer comes in – making technology to help improve the air quality in your home or office.

What is Atmofizer?

In the world of clean technology, Atmofizer is a name that stands out. The company has developed a patented and patent-pending ultra-fine particle agglomeration technology that helps to mitigate the threat of dangerous nano-scale particles. These tiny particles, which include viruses and bacteria, can be difficult to manage using traditional filters or UV lights. To accomplish this goal, the technology uses atmofizing, as the company’s name would suggest. This process describes the use of ultrasonic acoustic waves in order to group particles together. This makes for larger targets for ultraviolet light to neutralize. Atmofizer’s technology then rapidly reduces ultrafine airborne particles without disposable filters or excessive maintenance requirements.

The company’s technology has a number of advantages over traditional methods such as MERV or HEPA filters. While MERV and HEPA filters only capture particles efficiently down to 300nm and 10000nm respectively, Atmofizer technology rapidly reduces ultrafine airborne particles – with no disposable filters and low maintenance. With air quality becoming an increasingly pressing issue around the world, Atmofizer is leading the charge in making our environment safer for everyone.

Who is Atmofizer for?

Atmofizer is for anyone who wants to improve the air quality in their home or office. The company’s technology is a revolutionary way of managing tiny particles that can be dangerous to our health. With Atmofizer, you can rest assured knowing that you and your loved ones are breathing clean, healthy air.

Atmofizer’s technology is a great solution for anyone who wants to improve the air quality in their home or office. The technology can be used by homeowners, building managers, and more. Atmofizer is also an ideal solution for healthcare facilities, commercial buildings (offices), residential homes (apartments/condos), schools/universities, restaurants & bars… anywhere that you want clean air!

Summary

The price of Atmofizer varies depending on what you need it for and how many people will be using it. The company currently offers three different models. The smallest is the Go Series Flex, which is designed for portable use, such as in a car or even hotel travel. It can also be used in a small work space, such as a cubicle at work. The middle model is the A500 Model One. It is designed for a standard sized room, such as a bedroom or office. The largest unit is the Pro Series Lite. This device looks like the old-style units you might have purchased from RadioShack or Sharper Image, and is designed for a large room, like a living room or a conference room. It is also wall-mountable, allowing you to get it up off of the floor.

Atmofizer is making air quality better for people all around the world – be sure to check out their products today on the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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On2cook: The world’s fastest countertop cooking device @ CES 2022

January 15, 2022CES 2022, Gadgets, Health, Homeces2022, cooking, gadgets, home, kitchenPLUGHITZ Live

On2cook world's fastest cooking device Do you ever wish that you could cook a delicious meal with minimal effort? Have you ever felt like cooking is an impossible task and wished there was someone who could do it for you? Well, wait no longer! On2cook is the world’s fastest at-home cooking device.

How it Works

It works on the revolutionary Combination Cooking Technology which simultaneously combines induction, heat, and microwaves to cut your cooking time by up to 70% and reduce energy consumption by up to 40%. If this idea sounds familiar, you must be a fan of 30 Rock, because it’s very similar to the Trivection Oven that was introduced by Jack Donaghy on the show. The best part of On2cook? This one’s real!

Not only does this product make it possible for anyone to be able to cook a healthy meal in just minutes but it also preserves water-soluble nutrients, retains color and texture as well as consistency.

At-Home Use

Everyone has a night where they think, “Maybe I’ll just order out because I can’t be bothered to cook.” But ordering Uber Eats or DoorDash is expensive adds up quickly. With On2cook, you get the speed of delivery with the cost and quality of home cooking.

This device, which is slightly larger than an air fryer and looks similar to a waffle maker, can serve multiple purposes. It can be used as a traditional oven. It can be used as a convection oven. It can be used as an air fryer. It can even be used as a microwave. It can prepare rice in just 5 minutes, or chicken in just 15 minutes. With the Ai-powered app, you can get recommendations on how to use it better.

It’s also able to go the other way and replace slow-cookers. It can be set to slow cook, replacing a crockpot or sous vide cooker.

The On2cook also improves energy efficiency. The device is able to produce faster results and still uses 40% less energy to get the job done. All without losing the nutritional value of the food.

Because everything is self-contained, it also means less mess to clean up. There’s no splashing or massive cleanup.

Commercial Use

On2cook isn’t just for the home kitchen. The device can also be deployed in commercial kitchens, improving efficiency and costs. A restaurant could deploy several of these in a row and cook multiple meals at once, all improved by the built-in AI. However, if the chef wants to determine the specs on their own, that’s possible, too.

It’s also perfect for a portable kitchen, like a food truck. For a truck that takes orders and delivers the food to a location, the driver can set the cookers to prepare the food and, while it’s cooking, you can drive to the destination. For stationary food trucks, you could be preparing several meals at the same time, as opposed to a more one-on-one ordering process.

On2cook will address all gaps in the kitchen that impact work efficiencies, such as time management, recipe management, and ordering of ingredients.

Summary

The company expects the On2cook to be available on the market within the next 6 months, pending certifications. The device price is expected to be $500. Learn more about the product at the company’s website.

Interview by Todd Cochrane of Geek News Central.

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Lify Wellness puts healthy tea options at your fingertips @ CES 2021

March 2, 2021CES 2021, Healthces2021, gadgets, Health, home, kitchen, teaPLUGHITZ Live

Lify Wellness medicinal tea system One of the big trends for CES 2021 has been home health and wellness products. These products go above and beyond the monitoring technology we’ve seen for a few years, and extend into the prevention space. One of the more interesting products we saw is the Lify Wellness smart tea system.

Unlike some of the products we saw, Lify Wellness is designed to be an integral yet casual part of your day. The things we drink during our day can be a general afterthought or a byproduct of a desire for energy, or even simply a habit. But, being thoughtful about what we drink can make a big impact on our general wellness. But, most of us know little to nothing about what teas can do what, and how best to make them.

The Lify Wellness system combines knowledge and technology to help maintain your health. First is the brewer, which takes only about 40 seconds to make a small carafe of tea, which holds around 2 standard cups. You simply place one of the discs into the machine, and it does all of the work. It knows the right temperature and time, producing the perfect cup every time. And the discs are designed differently from the popular coffee pods, because they are intended to be fully biodegradable, making them environmentally friendly as well.

Of course, even more important than the technology is the tea itself. The blends are all specifically planned and balanced by professional medicinal practitioners, herbal scientists, and tea masters. This means that the teas will be more likely to produce a proper response in the body. You can even get recommendations about which tea to drink, based on your body conditions, the current weather, and even your mood.

To learn more about the Lify Wellness system or to purchase one for yourself, you can head over to the company’s website.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Fixbid wants to save you from bad home renovations @ CES 2021

March 1, 2021CES 2021, Homeces2021, gadgets, home, mobilePLUGHITZ Live

Fixbid contractor hiring tool Finding a quality and trustworthy contractor can be an absolute nightmare. Almost everyone who has done home remodeling work has a story about someone involved in the project who was or caused a problem. When my family built an add-on to the house, we ended up with a large collection of issues (we still have one door we can’t use nearly 30 years later). But, the mobile app Fixbid wants those issues to be a thing of the past.

There have been contractor rating platforms before, but they never quite work. The problem has always been that the scores come exclusively from customers. And who takes the time to review someone? Unhappy customers or people being incentivized. Joe Lycett showed just how easy it is to become the top water purification system on Trust Pilot without ever having a product. The process is far too easy to game, making the scores fairly useless.

Fixbid set out to fix this problem by using actual certification metrics. Rather than just hoping that customer reviews are accurate (which they are not), Fixbid uses the American Rating Company as its basis. All contractors that are listed on the system are all Diamond Certified Contractors, giving a higher level of confidence in hiring them.

Of course, the goal of the platform is to help you pair up with a contractor that offers the service you need, whether it be electrical, plumbing, solar, and more. You can find, communicate, and even pay for the services all through Fixbid.

The service is currently available in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, with plans to expand that service area in the future. To learn more about the service or explore the available contractors, head to the Fixbid website. From there, you can register and download the app.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Baru allows you to customize your home and office furniture @ CES 2021

March 1, 2021CES 2021, Homeces2021, customization, furniture, home, home improvementPLUGHITZ Live

Baru custom furniture design Moving can be a stressful experience. Part of the stress is created by the desire to make the new place as nice as possible, but since every place is different, your old furniture just might not work. In fact, while moving is one of the most common times to replace your furniture. The process of choosing just the right set can be difficult and expensive, but Baru is here to make it an easier process.

Here’s how the system works. There is a large collection of furniture designs in categories like desks, dressers, armoires, beds, nightstands, and storage. Once you choose the piece that fits your needs, you get to customize it to your liking. First, choose your material. This can vary depending on the piece, but includes matte and gloss coverings, as well as natural woods like raven oak and smoked walnut. Once you’ve chosen your material you can customize the size. Obviously, the customizations will be different for different types of furniture but will give you a lot of capability.

Possibly the best part of the Baru process is the quick delivery time. If you are within one of the operating zones, you are guaranteed delivery of your custom-designed and manufactured piece within 2 weeks. The impressive turnaround time is possible because of an automated cutting process. Using a CNC machine, the pieces can be custom cut on-demand in partner shops, delivered to the address, and assembled – all within the short timeframe.

The service is live now, with dozens of pieces available for customization and order. Prices vary depending on material selected, and free delivery and 2 week timeframe are dependent on proximity to an operating zone. To check out what is available and to place an order, head over to the Baru website.

Interview by Daniele Mendez of The New Product Launchpad.

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Lasso Loop closes the recycling loop for homeowners @ CES 2021

February 1, 2021Accessories, CES 2021, Homeces2021, gadgets, home, recyclePLUGHITZ Live

Lasso Loop home recycling Stuart Chater, communications manager for Lasso Loop Recycling, joined us from Sydney, Australia for CES 2020.

Lasso Loop is a two-year-old company that aims to make the recycling process more elegant and efficient for homeowners, right at the source. Traditional recycling involves transporting recyclables from residences to a sorting facility, where a small percentage of material is closed-loop recycled. Lasso Loop aims for 100% of residential recyclables to enter into the closed-loop cycle, where they can be transformed into products of the same quality as the original.

The biggest issue with the current system, says Chater, is contamination, which renders material unusable in a high-quality product. Lasso Loop overcomes that problem by sensing at the source, whether in a home or office, to detect the type of material an item is composed of so it can be kept in the right stream. For example, if an item is made of PET plastic it stays in the PET plastic stream, if it’s clear glass, it stays in the glass stream, and so forth.

After material detection, the item is washed and cleaned, a critical step many people skip. After that, the material is ground – plastic is flaked, metal is shredded, and glass is crushed – and then the ground material is stored inside the Lasso Loop container as a pure industry-standard product, ready for high-quality reuse.

The company aims to have its first full prototype completed this year, and the first retail model available in 2022. The appliance will be about the size of a dishwasher, weigh around 260 lbs, use no more than 2 liters of water daily, and will process materials in about 15 minutes.

Visit the company website for more information, and to reserve your own Lasso Loop appliance when the final version is released.

Interview by Christopher Jordan of The Talking Sound.

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Drinkworks – Geek News Central (TPN Picks Best of CES 2020 Award)

January 14, 2020CES 2020, Entertainment, Gadgets, Home, Special Events, Tech Podcast Networkces2020, gadgets, home, home automation, keurigPLUGHITZ Live

Geek News Central awards its TPN Picks Best of CES 2020 Award to Drinkworks by Keurig.

Nearly everyone knows who Keurig is. Their pod-based coffee makers changed the way homes and offices make coffee. You can purchase Pods directly from the company, or from a variety of companies who all make Pods for their own style of coffee. No longer do people have to portion out the right amount of grounds for a single cup of coffee, or even worse, make a full pot.

Last year, the company announced a new product with a similar goal – Drinkmaker from Drinkworks. Rather than focusing on coffee, like the standard Keurig devices do, Drinkmaker is a pod-based bartender. The Pods that you purchase won’t come with coffee grounds, but will instead come with all of the ingredients to make an alcoholic drink. The variety of drinks available is already impressive, with everything from a Cosmopolitan and White Russian to Peach Sangria available on their website.

Like the standard Keurig product, you simply place a Pod of your choice into the machine, press the start button, and it will produce the drink. The biggest benefit of the device is that the drink will always be properly proportioned with quality ingredients without any work on your part. It’s perfect for when you have friends or family over and don’t want to spend your time bartending but instead socializing.

At CES 2020, the company showed off the final product and announced general availability. Drinkmaker is available now for $299 with free shipping. Because of certain restrictions, shipping is only available to certain states, but the company is working to expand its availability as quickly as possible. Drink Pods are available now starting at $9.99 and ranging to $15.99.

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