Josh.ai and Somfy Partnership Brings AI Capabilities to Motorized Shading
In its continuing mission to expand the power and range of artificial intelligence in the home, Josh.ai has announced a new integration with another prominent smart home player, Somfy.
The largest manufacturer of tubular motors in the world, Somfy is responsible for powering many of today’s motorized interior window coverings and exterior shading solutions. Josh.ai, meanwhile, remains a popular brand within the custom integration industry for its simple, intuitive and powerful control technology.
Rather than being a simple alignment of two marquee brands, the two state that the partnership also provides multiple shading and screening fabricators with an easy-to-recommend voice platform for their products. This also provides a powerful solution to offer clients, whether it’s a window treatment that lets them control the brightness or heat gain within a room, or a theater screen they can command at will.
“When combined, voice control and solar shading add an aspect to daylighting that allows an occupant’s space to react to their needs at any given moment. Whether it’s exposing views, providing shade, or protecting valuable artwork, the combination of movement and voice control is something to experience, and not soon forget.” said Brittany Mier y Terán, Partnership, and CI Channel Manager.
Integration Update Will Start with Applicable Wi-Fi and Retrofit Installs
Starting with the Tahoma interface, Josh.ai has targeted wireless and retrofit applicable installs with their first iteration of Somfy integration. Support for Somfy’s low voltage offer, including UAI+, will be coming in a future update. Integrators will enjoy an efficient deployment process for WiFi-connected Tahoma bridges after enabling third-party integration for Josh.ai in the Somfy app.
Once authorized, Josh.ai will automatically begin pulling in the following devices from Somfy for native control: Shades, Blinds, Draperies, Exterior Screens, Awnings, Rolling Shutters, Pergolas, Projection Screens and Zigbee Smart plugs.
The duo notes that by communicating directly to each device within a project, the Josh.ai integration ensures a user-friendly experience. Shade grouping can be used to link devices room-by-room and by subcategories as well, such as sheers and blackouts. Josh.ai also notes that natural language commands like, “Ok Josh, close the blackout shades and lower the theater screen,” as well as, “Ok Josh, raise the first-floor solar sheers halfway,” will also be possible thanks to the Somfy integration.
“Voice control of motorized blinds and shades are some of the most popular activations we see by Josh users, and personally, I give commands to the shades in my home multiple times a day,” said Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai. “Our partnership with Somfy provides dealers, designers, and architects with an even better selection when it comes to delivering exceptional experiences for our mutual clients. I can’t wait to see the creative ways the design and build community takes advantage of this new opportunity!”
Josh.ai and Somfy dealers interested in learning more can join a deep dive webinar on the partnership this Friday, August 19th at 1pm EST / 10am PST: https://tinyurl.com/yck952mv.
