Control4 plugs into the smart grid with new $17.3M
Control4, maker of a universal remote control capable of adjusting any home appliances or electronics — from the television to the thermostat — has brought in $17.3 million to get the ball rolling on several smart grid initiatives.
These initiatives are far-flung, encompassing advanced metering, energy management displays showing consumers how much power they are using and how much it is costing, and a program aimed at teaching these consumers how to alter their behaviors and… Continue Reading
On the anniversary of our biggest blackout ever, are we on the road to another?
When I was a kid in rural Virginia, losing electricity was a yearly event around Christmas. Situated on the outskirts of a large utility’s territory, my family was among the last to have its power restored when, inevitably, a big winter storm knocked trees onto lines around the county. So for a day or two, or even a week, the daily entree was grilled cheese from the fireplace, and we all went to bed early.
Was… Continue Reading
Control4 gives you control over your home devices, raises $20M
For years, various companies have emerged to try to give you the nirvana of centralized control of all your devices in your home.
But most have failed to live up to the vision articulated by people like Bill Gates, who has long sought to wire his entire home, and Martha Stewart, who envisioned a way for homemakers to receive an email when their kids arrive home or verify their pet has been fed while out of… Continue Reading