VCU and the appliance control manufacturer are partnering to create the next generation of control systems for household devices. We re looking at how to turn those possibilities into realities. Ultimately, our partnership will give homeowners peace of mind that their home is safe no matter where they are. Using an interface that s as simple as an ATM, homeowners will be able to monitor and adjust appliances, air conditioning, lighting or irrigation from an office computer, a laptop or even a cell phone. These so-called smart appliances adapt to conditions without intervention by humans.
Humans know that systems are working because they receive feedback.
The VCU-Invensys project also is designed to create a development environment for the customization of generic appliance controllers. Klenke works with embedded systems, in which designers must determine whether smart control systems should be introduced into a device s fundamental construction or via a separate software program. During the next year, the VCU project team which will include both undergraduate and graduate engineering students will survey existing technology to determine how it can be integrated with Invensys projects.