(ANSA) - Rome, February 16 - A new virtual butler called
Sixth Sense patented by ENEA, the Italian national institute for
new technologies, can help consumers save on their utility bills
by turning lights and appliances off and on as well as
activating or deactivating solar blinds and screens and finding
the right temperature for rooms.
The multi-sensory system helps save energy and doesn't need
any advance programming, and through a qualitative carbon
dioxide analysis it can even warn if windows need to be opened
to air out rooms.
Sixth Sense is made up of a central unit and a group of
environmental sensors that work like an artificial brain.
The sensors monitor and acquire data on temperature,
humidity, luminosity, carbon dioxide levels, as well as noise
and movement of individuals in the home, according to
@ENEAinforma magazine.
The central unit, an open-source computer platform connected
with wifi, gathers data on the environmental situation,
processes it and autonomously determines the correct energetic
management of the home.
"The added value of Sixth Sense is in the innovative system
of counting the presence of people that is more efficient
compared to devices triggered by common motion sensors, and it
allows a further reduction of energy costs," said Francesco
Romanello of ENEA's Smart Energy division.
"That's why it's an important resource in terms of optimised
management of buildings for development of the home automation
market and the increase in employment in the sector".
photo: Environment Minister Gian Luca Galletti
'Sixth sense' virtual butler cuts utilities expenses
Patented by ENEA, turns lights and appliances off and on