Ceiling fans have come a very long way. Though the core technology has remain unchanged ever since the concept was invented, the ways to control these simple breeze-making devices have steadily been enhanced. But a company by the name of Big A** Fans feels these fans could use a little more tweaking .
Fans were traditionally controlled by switches, later they were switched on using chains dangling from the ceiling fans themselves and this technique still exists today. With the constant march of technology, inventors devised simpler and clever techniques like clapping or remote controls to activate these devices. Well, Big A** Fans goes a step further and eliminates all such control techniques.
The fans made by the company do not have any visible controlling mechanisms. The company has created the first intelligent or “smart” fans. The ceiling fans made by this company are able to judge the requirement and then respond accordingly. Similar to Google’s home automation endeavor Nest that makes the smart thermostats, Big A** Fans’ products have smart sensing technology built right into them.
Christened Haiku, this is the first model to incorporate the SenseME technology which uses a combination of built-in sensors to autonomously control the fan’s speed to maintain the perfect temperature, reported Gizmodo . It also automatically turns on when someone enters a room, and then automatically turns off when the last person leaves. Yes, you read it right: The fan not only has a sensor to judge presence in the room, but an array of other sensors that compute the actual speed required to maintain ambient room temperature.
The company has disclosed the sensors, apart from the SenseME that it has incorporated in its ceiling fans. Moreover, the fans come with their very own smartphone app, reported Mac Rumors . Using the smartphone app, the Haiku SenseME can be scheduled to turn on or off at a set time, and with a built-in LED it has a “Gradual Awake” mode which slowly brings the fan to life in the morning to gently wake the person in bed. You can even adjust the speed of the fan using your phone. If that’s not enough, these ceiling fans have advanced learning algorithms which remember your adjustments and attempt to maintain your preferred temperature by itself from then on.
Costing $1,045, these fans aren’t exactly cheap, but smart ceiling fans are clearly just the beginning. Given the enthusiastic pace set by Google, Apple and others, there are bound to be some great home automation products right around the corner.
[Image Credit | Big A** Fans]
