Z-Wave Alliance aims for big debut at big show

CARLSBAD, Calif.—The Z-Wave Alliance will make its presence known at ISC West in a big way this year—including broadcasting a live home automation demonstration from the top of the world.

For the first time, it will have a booth presence. Nine member-companies will exhibit at the 900-square-foot Z-Wave Alliance Pavilion.

In past years, many member companies have had booths at the show, and Z-Wave Alliance held board meetings there and provided signage and other marketing materials for its members, according to Avi Rosenthal, an alliance board member and VP of security and control for Nortek.

But as membership in the alliance grew, the need for that “quiet” presence to evolve into a more visible role also grew, Rosenthal said.

“There was a loud outcry from membership. A lot of the smaller guys couldn't afford to have a booth. Now you can hit nine different companies all in one booth space,” he said. “We made it formal, that's what our membership companies wanted.”

Z-Wave hasn't previously “pounded our chest and we're not trying to hit people over the head with it,” but the Pavilion will show attendees “that Z-Wave owns the home control marketplace. That will be very evident. Our goal is to enunciate [our] level of leadership,” he said.

Z-Wave's wireless, interoperable home-control technology is used by more than 300 companies worldwide.

On Thursday at the show, the Pavilion has scheduled a presentation, the FIBARO Mount Everest Challenge. At 11 a.m., weather conditions permitting, mountain climber Mariusz Malkowski, a technical services manager at Sigma Designs and a Z-Wave Alliance member, will be broadcasting live from the top of Mount Everest. From there, he will control FIBARO sensors and other Z-Wave powered devices, such as a garage door opener and a smart water valve, both at his home and at the Pavilion. FIBARO is a European manufacturer of wireless, intelligent home automation systems.

“We're really jazzed about it. We've done similar things but never from someplace as remote as Mount Everest,” Rosenthal said.

Besides FIBARO, other alliance members exhibiting at the Pavilion will be MCO Home Technology, Aeon Labs, SecureNet Tech, MIOS LTD, Telguard, Enerwave, Radio Thermostat Company of America and Z-Wave Products.