ABB, Robert Bosch GmbH and Cisco Systems Incorporate have confirmed the formation of an international joint venture called mozaiq operations GmbH to develop and operate an open-software platform for smart homes. The platform will help to unify today’s stand-alone solutions for home automation and offer interoperability across devices.

The platform brings the Internet of Things, Services and People into consumers’ homes, making it easy and secure for a wide range of products to communicate with each other.

Consumers will be able to seamlessly and intuitively tailor their appliances and devices, regardless of brand, to deliver an unprecedented level of control, comfort and significantly improve energy efficiency. For example, on an unexpectedly hot day, either from a click from a smart phone or through a preset instruction, blinds in the home can be closed; the preset timer for the tumble drier could be switched off; and all screen devices automatically switched off for the children to go outside to play.

“This joint effort to develop an open-software platform for smart homes expands opportunities of the Internet of Things, Services and People for consumers and companies alike,” said Tarak Mehta, head of ABB’s Low Voltage Products Division.

“Collaborations such as mozaiq will ensure that consumers have faster access to the best-possible technology."

The mozaiq software platform will create opportunities for a range of new services by facilitating the simple, but secure exchange of data between different types of devices and their users. By creating a business ecosystem, the three companies seek to facilitate cooperation and accommodate stakeholders’ varying demands and perspectives as the software platform is developed.

The interim head of mozaiq will be Dirk Schlesinger of Cisco Internet Business Solutions Group. He will be based in Frankfurt, Germany, until a permanent leader is appointed.