Slashdot Mirror
The Internet: Your Next Remote Control
Makarand writes "According to this article on NewsFactor, a Hungarian company, Timothy Technologies, wants to turn the Internet into a pervasive Remote Control. This device, called
FlatStack, allows users to operate home appliances using the web. The FlatStack is an entire web server on a tiny circuit board which can be connected to the Internet and wired to the device needing remote control. Later versions of FlatStack will connect to appliances wirelessly. The FlatStack, with a variety of applications at home, can also be adapted in offices, factories and agricultural settings. It is expected to sell for around $75."
Drive Me Insane I saw this link in someone's sig this week...
A rather cool site that has been setup so you can control a good number of devices and cams in this guy's home. Even his lawn sprinkler. He has had a remote control car with a video cam on it and soforth that you can drive around his house. Definately a must see.
-- AcquaCow
up 12 days, 22:30, 2 users, load averages: 993.20, 994.21, 994.56
*makes note to limit user processes...
using it on the air conditioner. that way you can tell your aircon to turn itself on when your 20 minutes away from your apartment. so when you do get home, temperature's already at a comfy level.
How about something that will interface with my palm pilot?
I carry the thing with me everywhere anyway.
Bluetooth anyone?
Why on earth would you need a remote controlled dishwasher? So you can load it in the morning and turn it on just before leaving work so you have sparkling clean dishes to use for supper?
This technology is much better for ovens, heating systems, VCRs/PVRs, pet food dispensers or whatever. Not that I'd trust an remote control connected to the net to control any of these things. It can all be achieved with a timer.
And no, I'm not humor impaired. But it seems that every time an article gets posted on slashdot, the only posts that get moderated up are the +1 Funny.
Do we really want out houses to be computer controlled? What if someone writes a virus, or figures out a way to hack it?
...all the stuff is easily available. In fact, that was my first home Linux project. Parts list: Linux box running Apache X-10 master control module "Firecracker" module from X-10 (serial->RF master) "Firecracker" for Linux program. That's it, perhaps $75 if you spend too much.... Here's the real problem though.....running such a server (either purchased or built) is against your user service agreement for most broadband people. I can understand why the cable internet people wouldn't want some poor slob getting the slashdot effect. It would destroy service for all the others allong the cable modem route. But facts are facts and any server on your equipment is illegal, even if it's just to turn on/off your hot-tub before you get home from work. Of course, there are ways around that.....but that's another story.....
The problem may be that the announcement is too vague. I've been doing HA for over 15 years with X10 (not the most reliable protocol but I've got it working 98% of the time). I also use an ADI Ocelot for IR, Onewire devices, a weather station and I'm working on an RS485 multidrop network for my controllers (Analog, digital etc, less than $20). My control software is a Perl program called Misterhouse. I wouldn't pay an extra $75 for a coffee put because I could control it over the internet.
AND THIS IS THE KICKER!!! Once people are using stuff like this, then cable companies must be forced to change their policies to allow servers. Think about it! If the middle-class masses all want to use this to control home security, lights, etc, then the cable company would have to allow a major desire of millions of people to be allowed. Well, not "forced" to, but it's a shot. So anything that needs servers running in the house over broadband gets a vote "yes" from me.