Groupe Renault is working with French startup Otodo on a smart home solution that allows users to connect to home automation devices from their vehicle dashboard.
The system can be set up via a smartphone app and the homeowner can select connected objects he or she wants to include and instructions associated with each object. Such instructions might include activating the "sleep" mode in home automated devices whenever the user leaves the home. These instructions can be activated on the vehicle’s touchscreen and sent to the home automation devices. The service will be available in all Renault cars that have the company’s Easy Link multimedia system beginning in 2020.
“Cars need to blend into our digital lives,” said Jean-François Labal, marketing and partnership head for connected cars and services at Groupe Renault. “With this service, we’re offering our customers a trailblazing experience and a completely secure system to connect their home’s connected objects to their vehicle. The interface to set it up is very intuitive and it comes with two advantages: it’s automatic so it makes life simpler and it saves energy by switching lights and heating on and off as needed.”
Otodo’s technology will be used as the secure, authentication-based link between the car and the connected objects at home. Otodo’s technology platform is used to remote control a wide variety of home appliances and connected objects. The technology will also handle instructions sent directly from a car.
Additionally, homeowners can send instructions from their home using a smartphone or connected speaker in order to pre-start a car or warm the car up during a cold day.
Renault is previewing the technology at CES 2020, which will take place Jan. 7-10 in Las Vegas.
