Hawking reveals home monitor/control line of products

At CES 2006, Hawking Technologies gave a preview of its line of HomeRemote wireless home automation products. Though we got to look only at models of the products, the line seems all-inclusive and interesting. At the heart of the HomeRemote family are the Wireless Home Automation Gateway, which includes an 802.11g router, and the Wireless Home Automation Hub. If you already have a wireless router, you use the one-antenna hub. Otherwise, the two-antenna hub serves as both the backbone for the ZigBee-based home monitoring system and as a wireless 802.11g router for the home. Additional products in the family include wireless door/window sensors, power outlets and power strips, and signal extender. Products scheduled to be available in the second half of the year include wireless motion detectors, audio monitors, and camera.

The HomeRemote line works with a browser-based control panel that lets you monitor and configure your home security network, even remotely. The devices keep you apprised of particular events, such as the opening and closing of windows and doors, and let you schedule events, such as turning the TV or lights on/off. It will even contact you via e-mail or your cell phone when certain events are triggered. All the information is consolidated in the control panel, which you can access from any Web browser.

The first batch of products is expected to hit retail shelves in May or June, with others to follow in the second half of the year.