Consumers are looking at smart switches and sensors as strategies for energy savings and cost reduction.
- Vivek Yadav Senior Vice President, Havells India How do you assess the change in trend or increase in acceptance of modular switches by customers? What role has the Covid pandemic played in the evolution and shift towards modularswitches? The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has brought the significance of hygiene and
- Vivek Yadav
Senior Vice President, Havells India
How do you assess the change in trend or increase in acceptance of modular switches by customers? What role has the Covid pandemic played in the evolution and shift towards modularswitches?
The unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic has brought the significance of hygiene and infectionscontrol to the fore. Need for touch less or contact less operations have increased adoption of smart switches as these can be operated via mobile apps / voice. People are spending longer hours athome hence the need for higher degree of comfort leading to increased adoption for centralised controls (mobile app / Voice) where a consumer can control different functions of the home withoutany hassle. We at Havells are offering products which caters to the needs of the customers underour Crabtree automation portfolio.
Work from home has driven the demand for energy to an all-time high and is also resulting into a much larger electricity bill. Consumers are looking at smart switches and sensors as strategies forenergy savings and cost reduction as these are easily retro fittable in their existing homes without having the need for any electrical and structural changes.
Such modular switches come at a higher price due to its advanced technologies and features. Your take on the same and how is the industry and company planning to make it more affordable for customers?
While modular smart switches have sophisticated electronics to enable communications, these switches also need robust electronics to work on Indian electricity supplies and be able to with stand the fluctuations and surges. In the past couple of years these switches have already become affordable to an extent that the cost has come down to a level where a customer can automate a 2BHK flat for around Rs 30,000, also being modular in form factor helps the customer pick and choose the circuits they want to automate, hence making the solution highly scalable for the customer to add or remove devices as per his convenience and budget. We believe as semi conductor shortage and electronic components supply chain pressures ease out the prices will once again start coming down.
Tell us about your offerings in the space and the technology deployed. Also, can you share your plans going forward on introducing new products/ features especially during the festive season?
Smart H Modular Home Automation
This is a retrofit modular Smart Switch Home automation system designed for both new & amp; existing homes. It offers a complete range which fits in the existing Switch box.
To adopt this system for your home all that is required is:
- a) Replace the existing face plates with premium finish Crabtree Amare face plate
- b) Replace your old manual switch with Smart H switch.
This is one of its kind modular glass finish touch switches which offer premium aesthetics and change the décor of your home. This solution offers automation for all commonly used applications in the home like switching, dimming, controls for curtains, fans & amp; appliances and much more. This solution is designed for India keeping in mind the Indian life style & amp; Indian homes.
This can be easily installed in places with low internet penetration as it has capabilities to work without Internet via built in RF technology through which this system can operate via Smart remote controls.
This solution offers multiple ways of operation and can be easily operated by anyone across multiplegenerations of people living in Indian homes. This system can be operated through:
- a) As normal touch switches
- b) Through mobile / tab applications over IOS / Android
- c) Through a RF programmable smart remote controller with scene controls
- d) Through all leading voice assistants like Alexa/ Google assist
This entire solution is complemented with a range of premium accessories like smart socket, PIR sensors, free locate Switch and a range of Crabtree Glossy black switches, sockets, blanks and USB charger to create a complete system which is a blend of beauty & amp; intelligence.
Our new offerings in this space will be available towards the end of this quarter as follows:
Wire free NXT
This is a smart relay module solution which offers very affordable WiFi based controls for the residence. These are smart relay modules that fit behind the switch board and the user can automate the circuits without having to change anything in his home, this is a true retrofit solution that requires no electrical or structural change in the home. This solution is completely made in India and being launched this Diwali, this will be available by mid Nov. 2021.
Signia Smart
This is a new platform completely designed & amp; manufactured in India. This is a premium Wi-Fi modular smart switch solution offering high level of premium aesthetics with the signia Grande range of face plates & wiring accessories. This will be available in selected markets by end of Q3.
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