October 19, 2017 at 15:25Smart Wi-Fi outlet: from idea to development and launch
Good day, friends.
We conduct developments in the field of IoT solutions, produce innovative products, constantly monitor the global and Russian IoT markets, monitor the latest trends and developments.
We already wrote in a previous article about how the Control Center was created - the brain of our smart home. In this article, we want to tell you about one of our latest developments - a smart Wi-Fi outlet , by phasing out the stages of creation: from idea to development and launch.
We have long followed the development of such devices at our competitors, looked at reports and demand for smart sockets, and decided to introduce such a product into our product portfolio. It was important for us to create a product that consumers really want to use. A simple, understandable and convenient device that makes life easier for people: not to worry anymore on the way to the airport and not to think about the iron left on, not to think about what the electricity bill will be, because the warm floor was left on at the cottage. And of course, they wanted to make the product better than their competitors.
Studying the market of “smart sockets” and the needs of consumers helped us determine the necessary set of functions for the developed device. At the initial stage, the Rubetek smart socket was supposed to be a compact module plugged into C / E / F type electrical outlets.
Outlet management was assumed using the Rubetek Control Center, using the Z-Wave protocol.
As the main functions of the device, our R&D department identified the possibility of local and remote control of the electrical load connected to the outlet and measuring the parameters of the electrical network and load (current voltage and active power). To do this, we installed a special processor with a network parameter meter STPM32.
Socket parameters:
Mains voltage up to 230 V.
Switching current up to 11 A with resistive load (cos φ = 1) and up to 5.5 A with inductive load (cos φ = 0.4).
Power consumption up to 2.5 kW at resistive load (cos φ = 1) and up to 1.3 kW at inductive load (cos φ = 0.4).
Of course, in the development process, after much discussion, many of the original ideas had to be abandoned. The Z-Wave module was eventually replaced by a Wi-Fi module. Despite all the advantages of the Z-Wave module, for example, low power consumption, it did not allow the device to connect directly to a smartphone or router. Mandatory to use the outlet was the purchase of the Rubetek Control Center. The Wi-Fi module resolved this issue, but required a more powerful power source.
Replacing Z-wave with Wi-Fi made it possible to make the outlet more autonomous and, thus, more comfortable and more accessible for the user. Smart socket Rubetek got the opportunity to connect to a smartphone and the Internet without using any hubs, it was enough to have a Wi-Fi router that is now in almost every apartment. It turns out that the user pays only for the outlet, no additional devices are needed.
We paid no less attention to the design and size of the device.
The paramount task was to create the most functional and compact device. We aimed to make Rubetek's Wi-Fi socket one of the smallest among Schuko standards (a system of power plugs and sockets for AC, officially defined as Type F).
As a result, we created one of the smallest sockets of the European type, the dimensions of the device are only: 53 x 68 mm.
We have made our board multilevel in order to significantly reduce its size.
The material from which the smart socket is made is heat-resistant plastic.
The question remained - how to display the current load level of connected devices directly on the outlet?
We came up with an LED bezel that would change color depending on the load. In the off state, the display color is white. Further, the colors change smoothly depending on the connected load. For a smart outlet, it is possible to dim the backlight.
After overcoming the 2500 W threshold, the LED begins to flicker red.
Socket - the center of a smart home
We integrated the RF receiver (433 MHz) into the design, it allowed us to significantly expand the functionality. It has become possible to connect up to 100 RF devices to the device at the same time. When sensors are triggered, notifications will be sent to the mobile application. Also, when the sensor is triggered, you can turn on, turn off the device or change its state.
The following Rubetek sensors can be connected to a smart Wi-Fi outlet:
● smoke sensor
● motion sensor
● gas leakage sensor
● opening
sensor ● leakage sensor
Connection to the wireless sensors of the Wireless RF WiFi series is established using the communication protocols EV1527 with the learning code.
The range of the sensors reaches hundreds of meters.
In fact, we have turned a compact outlet into a real smart home center. A consumer can buy a socket and, say, a sensor for opening, moving, and smoke. It turns out that, having paid 5,000 with a small thousand rubles, the consumer receives a security complex - he can control the light and electrical appliances remotely, receives notifications when opening doors and windows, smoke and movement.
Let's talk about the features of our outlet.
1. Integration with Apple Homekit
One of the features widely used in the work of our devices is compatibility with Apple Homekit.
Apple Homekit - a platform that allows you to control smart devices with voice from the Home application on iOS. You need to connect the outlet, configure its operation in the application and ask Siri, for example: “Siri, turn on the floor lamp in the bedroom.” And voila, the light turned on, the command was given quickly and simply, without even touching the smartphone.
How does this happen?
In addition, our developers in test mode are preparing the integration of a smart outlet with Amazon Alexa.
2. Ability to create scripts
Smart socket allows you to set scripts between connected sensors, as well as configure the device’s operation in time. For example, when the opening sensor has triggered, a floor lamp or other device connected to the outlet is turned on. You can set up to ten on and off timers at the same time. Timers are implemented on the device itself and work regardless of the connection to the Wi-Fi network and the Internet.
All Rubetek Wi-Fi devices can communicate with each other while connected to the same local network. They can be combined, creating various scenarios for the operation of devices.
For example:
● device status (on / off)
As an example: turn on the light when the roller shutters are closing.
● measured parameters (current, voltage, power)
As an example: send a notification if the device in the outlet consumes more than 2500W for 2 hours.
● triggering of connected RF sensors.
As an example with the participation of the sensor: if movement is detected in the room, the outlet turns on, and with it the floor lamp connected to it lights up.
When setting up the device’s operation scenarios, you can use RF sensors that are connected to other Rubetek Wi-Fi devices, thereby significantly increasing the radio signal reception area from the sensors.
3. Statistics and energy consumption in rubles
Agree, the user is much more comfortable not to keep consumption statistics himself, but to entrust this function to a smart device. Our outlet can not only provide the owner with information about the energy consumption of each connected device, but can also calculate in rubles, in accordance with the tariffs of the housing and communal services of a particular house.
4. Over-the-Air Firmware Update (FOTA)
An over-the-air software update is available for a smart Wi-Fi outlet. To get the latest version of the software for the device, you do not need to carry it to a service center or connect to a PC, it is enough that the outlet is connected to a Wi-Fi network with Internet access.
After a successful firmware update download, the device will reboot.
5. And how is security implemented?
Data security when communicating with the Rubetek server at the protocol level is ensured as follows.
Connection to the server is established using the secure TLS 1.2 protocol using two-way authorization. Each device has its own client certificate, as well as a certificate of a certification authority (CA). During the process of connecting the device to the server, mutual authentication takes place: the device presents the server certificates from the trust chain up to the client, authenticated with a signature, the server’s authenticity on the client side is verified using the certificate of the certification center.
In order to protect against device cloning, a unique MAC address is checked. The local connection between the device and the smartphone / tablet is protected using standard WiFi encryption. Traffic authentication is ensured by digitally signing each message with a control key and a running session key. At the same time, obtaining a control key is impossible without physical access to the device (receiving a key is activated only by pressing a button on the device).
6. It's beautiful.
Our outlet turned out to be not only one of the smallest in the world, but also the most beautiful. The lighting of the LED rim is enough to use it as a night lamp, the socket really looks very beautiful and spectacular in any interior.
A smart socket is only one of several devices in the Wi-Fi device line that our company is developing. The Control Module has already arrived on sale (it allows you to control air conditioners and convectors from a smartphone), other devices are also planned - we are not going to stop there.
The price of a smart outlet from Rubetek is only 2,990 rubles, and you can purchase it, along with other smart devices, on our website in the “Shop” section, or in the LeroyMerlin chain of stores.
We conduct developments in the field of IoT solutions, produce innovative products, constantly monitor the global and Russian IoT markets, monitor the latest trends and developments.
We already wrote in a previous article about how the Control Center was created - the brain of our smart home. In this article, we want to tell you about one of our latest developments - a smart Wi-Fi outlet , by phasing out the stages of creation: from idea to development and launch.
We have long followed the development of such devices at our competitors, looked at reports and demand for smart sockets, and decided to introduce such a product into our product portfolio. It was important for us to create a product that consumers really want to use. A simple, understandable and convenient device that makes life easier for people: not to worry anymore on the way to the airport and not to think about the iron left on, not to think about what the electricity bill will be, because the warm floor was left on at the cottage. And of course, they wanted to make the product better than their competitors.
Studying the market of “smart sockets” and the needs of consumers helped us determine the necessary set of functions for the developed device. At the initial stage, the Rubetek smart socket was supposed to be a compact module plugged into C / E / F type electrical outlets.
Outlet management was assumed using the Rubetek Control Center, using the Z-Wave protocol.
As the main functions of the device, our R&D department identified the possibility of local and remote control of the electrical load connected to the outlet and measuring the parameters of the electrical network and load (current voltage and active power). To do this, we installed a special processor with a network parameter meter STPM32.
Socket parameters:
Mains voltage up to 230 V.
Switching current up to 11 A with resistive load (cos φ = 1) and up to 5.5 A with inductive load (cos φ = 0.4).
Power consumption up to 2.5 kW at resistive load (cos φ = 1) and up to 1.3 kW at inductive load (cos φ = 0.4).
Of course, in the development process, after much discussion, many of the original ideas had to be abandoned. The Z-Wave module was eventually replaced by a Wi-Fi module. Despite all the advantages of the Z-Wave module, for example, low power consumption, it did not allow the device to connect directly to a smartphone or router. Mandatory to use the outlet was the purchase of the Rubetek Control Center. The Wi-Fi module resolved this issue, but required a more powerful power source.
Replacing Z-wave with Wi-Fi made it possible to make the outlet more autonomous and, thus, more comfortable and more accessible for the user. Smart socket Rubetek got the opportunity to connect to a smartphone and the Internet without using any hubs, it was enough to have a Wi-Fi router that is now in almost every apartment. It turns out that the user pays only for the outlet, no additional devices are needed.
We paid no less attention to the design and size of the device.
The paramount task was to create the most functional and compact device. We aimed to make Rubetek's Wi-Fi socket one of the smallest among Schuko standards (a system of power plugs and sockets for AC, officially defined as Type F).
As a result, we created one of the smallest sockets of the European type, the dimensions of the device are only: 53 x 68 mm.
We have made our board multilevel in order to significantly reduce its size.
The material from which the smart socket is made is heat-resistant plastic.
The question remained - how to display the current load level of connected devices directly on the outlet?
We came up with an LED bezel that would change color depending on the load. In the off state, the display color is white. Further, the colors change smoothly depending on the connected load. For a smart outlet, it is possible to dim the backlight.
After overcoming the 2500 W threshold, the LED begins to flicker red.
Socket - the center of a smart home
We integrated the RF receiver (433 MHz) into the design, it allowed us to significantly expand the functionality. It has become possible to connect up to 100 RF devices to the device at the same time. When sensors are triggered, notifications will be sent to the mobile application. Also, when the sensor is triggered, you can turn on, turn off the device or change its state.
The following Rubetek sensors can be connected to a smart Wi-Fi outlet:
● smoke sensor
● motion sensor
● gas leakage sensor
● opening
sensor ● leakage sensor
Connection to the wireless sensors of the Wireless RF WiFi series is established using the communication protocols EV1527 with the learning code.
The range of the sensors reaches hundreds of meters.
In fact, we have turned a compact outlet into a real smart home center. A consumer can buy a socket and, say, a sensor for opening, moving, and smoke. It turns out that, having paid 5,000 with a small thousand rubles, the consumer receives a security complex - he can control the light and electrical appliances remotely, receives notifications when opening doors and windows, smoke and movement.
Let's talk about the features of our outlet.
1. Integration with Apple Homekit
One of the features widely used in the work of our devices is compatibility with Apple Homekit.
Apple Homekit - a platform that allows you to control smart devices with voice from the Home application on iOS. You need to connect the outlet, configure its operation in the application and ask Siri, for example: “Siri, turn on the floor lamp in the bedroom.” And voila, the light turned on, the command was given quickly and simply, without even touching the smartphone.
How does this happen?
In addition, our developers in test mode are preparing the integration of a smart outlet with Amazon Alexa.
2. Ability to create scripts
Smart socket allows you to set scripts between connected sensors, as well as configure the device’s operation in time. For example, when the opening sensor has triggered, a floor lamp or other device connected to the outlet is turned on. You can set up to ten on and off timers at the same time. Timers are implemented on the device itself and work regardless of the connection to the Wi-Fi network and the Internet.
All Rubetek Wi-Fi devices can communicate with each other while connected to the same local network. They can be combined, creating various scenarios for the operation of devices.
For example:
● device status (on / off)
As an example: turn on the light when the roller shutters are closing.
● measured parameters (current, voltage, power)
As an example: send a notification if the device in the outlet consumes more than 2500W for 2 hours.
● triggering of connected RF sensors.
As an example with the participation of the sensor: if movement is detected in the room, the outlet turns on, and with it the floor lamp connected to it lights up.
When setting up the device’s operation scenarios, you can use RF sensors that are connected to other Rubetek Wi-Fi devices, thereby significantly increasing the radio signal reception area from the sensors.
3. Statistics and energy consumption in rubles
Agree, the user is much more comfortable not to keep consumption statistics himself, but to entrust this function to a smart device. Our outlet can not only provide the owner with information about the energy consumption of each connected device, but can also calculate in rubles, in accordance with the tariffs of the housing and communal services of a particular house.
4. Over-the-Air Firmware Update (FOTA)
An over-the-air software update is available for a smart Wi-Fi outlet. To get the latest version of the software for the device, you do not need to carry it to a service center or connect to a PC, it is enough that the outlet is connected to a Wi-Fi network with Internet access.
After a successful firmware update download, the device will reboot.
5. And how is security implemented?
Data security when communicating with the Rubetek server at the protocol level is ensured as follows.
Connection to the server is established using the secure TLS 1.2 protocol using two-way authorization. Each device has its own client certificate, as well as a certificate of a certification authority (CA). During the process of connecting the device to the server, mutual authentication takes place: the device presents the server certificates from the trust chain up to the client, authenticated with a signature, the server’s authenticity on the client side is verified using the certificate of the certification center.
In order to protect against device cloning, a unique MAC address is checked. The local connection between the device and the smartphone / tablet is protected using standard WiFi encryption. Traffic authentication is ensured by digitally signing each message with a control key and a running session key. At the same time, obtaining a control key is impossible without physical access to the device (receiving a key is activated only by pressing a button on the device).
6. It's beautiful.
Our outlet turned out to be not only one of the smallest in the world, but also the most beautiful. The lighting of the LED rim is enough to use it as a night lamp, the socket really looks very beautiful and spectacular in any interior.
A smart socket is only one of several devices in the Wi-Fi device line that our company is developing. The Control Module has already arrived on sale (it allows you to control air conditioners and convectors from a smartphone), other devices are also planned - we are not going to stop there.
The price of a smart outlet from Rubetek is only 2,990 rubles, and you can purchase it, along with other smart devices, on our website in the “Shop” section, or in the LeroyMerlin chain of stores.
