iPhone: Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
iPad: Requires iPadOS 9.0 or later.
iPod touch: Requires iOS 9.0 or later.
Mac: Requires macOS 11.0 or later and a Mac with Apple M1 chip.
5 / 5 (User Rating)Imagine being able to control everything from one device: Turn on your room lights and close the curtains. Change channels on your TV and turn up the heating. Answer a phone call and send some texts. Browse the Internet, play some music or watch YouTube. HouseMate hardware in combination with an iOS device enables you to do this and much more.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
HouseMate is a combined hardware/app solution that enables a switch user to fully control their iOS device and use it to operate other equipment in their home or work environment using InfraRed, EasyWave or Z-Wave signals.
TELL ME ABOUT
THE HARDWARE
The hardware is controlled using the built-in switch or by connecting an external switch or joystick. It can also be interfaced to R-Net and DX wheelchair control systems.
It is powered by a rechargeable Li-Ion battery and contains a powerful omni- directional InfraRed transmitter and a Bluetooth radio module.
The hardware communicates the switch presses to the iOS device. With Switch Control enabled the user can use scanning to control their device. If the user launches the HouseMate App a grid of environmental control options is presented. If the user chooses an option then the HouseMate App will instruct the HouseMate hardware to transmit the corresponding InfraRed code.
HouseMate can be fitted with a radio frequency Nurse call pager. This alarm can be activated at anytime by pressing the switch for a defined period of time. Importantly this feature is independent of the iOS device and Bluetooth connection.
A further possibility is the control of EasyWave or Z-wave devices. HouseMate can be fitted with an EasyWave transmitter on request. Z-wave requires the installation of a Z-wave enabled router such as a Vera 3 and Z-wave appliances such as sockets, light switches, thermostats etc. The iOS device communicates with the Vera using Wifi which in turn communicates with the appliances using Z- wave.
TELL ME ABOUT THE APP
The HouseMate app that has been specially designed for switch access and can be downloaded free from iTunes. It will run on any iOS device running 8.4 or higher.
The HouseMate app communicates with the HouseMate hardware using Bluetooth Smart. The app presents a grid of environmental control functions using icons and text. When the user chooses an icon the app instructs the hardware to execute the chosen function.
WHAT ARE THE
KEY FEATURES?
Hardware features:
-Control of any device that can be operated by InfraRed signals including light switches, power sockets, bed controls and door openers.
-Powerful InfraRed learn/transmit hardware. Single codes, toggle codes, macros and safety codes can be recorded.
-Pre-recorded database of common InfraRed signals including GEWA, Possum, Siemens KNX, FellerBeamIt, UPC and SKY.
-Control of EasyWave devices with a built-in 32 channel RF transmitter. Control of Z-wave devices over Wifi using a Vera Z-wave router.
-Single switch, two switch and joystick inputs.
Interface cables for R-Net and DX wheelchair control systems.
-Long-life rechargeable Li-Ion battery with mini USB charger.
-Audible low battery warning, Bluetooth connection, InfraRed transmit and charging status LEDs.
Software features:
-Comprehensive, graphic based, environmental control.
-Large database of icons as well as the ability to choose images from the camera roll.
-Designed to be used in conjunction with the scanning features of iOS Switch Control.
-Control over third party apps using iOS Switch Control.
-HouseMate can be downloaded free from iTunes with automatic updating as new versions become available.
-Can be installed on iPads or iPhones running iOS 8.4 or higher.