BERLIN—Imagine the alarm clock ringing on a typical Monday morning, except this time the curtains draw themselves back, the bathroom lights switch on automatically and you smell fresh coffee brewing.

Or an oven that turns itself on and starts warming up a lasagna when you're 15 minutes away from home, just in time to be dished up as you walk through the door.

For years, technology firms have been touting the potential of a smart home, but in the past two years major players have begun investing heavily in its development.

Samsung believes the day has come when a home is smart enough for household appliances to simply run themselves -- all communicating with each other in the so-called Internet of Things (IoT).

At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin on Thursday, Samsung Electronics chief executive W.P. Hong said: "It is not a trend. It is at the heart of today's industrial revolution."

"By 2020, all devices made by Samsung will be IoT enabled," he pledged.

Samsung launched Thursday a line of new devices called Smart Things--including a small white box called a hub that coordinates the appliances.

It also showcased a smartphone app that acts as a mission control for the appliances, while motion sensors and sockets are complementary gadgets to add to the system.

Daily routines, like which appliances should do what in the morning or in the evening, can be programmed in the app, with the hub then acting as the coordinator in the home.

Alternatively, the home owner can control specific appliances through a tap on the app.

'Selfie-taking' refrigerator

The Smart Things system is basically the fruition of an acquisition of an eponymous start-up that Samsung had in fact paid $200 million for last year.

It will compete with Apple's HomeKit, which, announced in June last year, controls appliances compatible with its products. Also, Google paid $3.2 billion to buy Nest Labs, specializing in intelligent fire alarms and thermostats.

Samsung said its platform will be open and therefore compatible with other brands. It also took pains to cite several companies that it is partnering with, including speaker specialist Bose and lightbulb manufacturer Osram, allowing these items to also work with its "hub."

At the same time, it also launched other complementary gadgets, including a so-called smarthome monitor that alerts the owners to any problems, from a leak in the bathroom to intruders in the garden.

Another device--the Sleepsense, a flat white disc that is placed under the mattress--monitors one's breathing and heart rate at bedtime, and sets the temperature for the heater or the air-conditioner, creating "the best environment for falling and staying asleep".

Other appliance makers will also be touting their smarthome concept at this year's IFA show, which will be open to the public for six days from Friday.

German electronics and appliance giant Siemens, for instance, is showcasing what it describes as its "complete range of connected home appliances" controlled through an app.

Among these appliances is a refrigerator that is able to take a selfie of its contents, allowing the owner to see what needs replenishing.

NASA

NASA Selects Blue Origin National Team to Return Humans to the Moon

IW Staff

Apr 30, 2020

Today the Blue Origin National Team, which includes Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and Draper, was selected by NASA to begin to develop the Artemis Human Landing System. “NASA’s Artemis program will be the next major milestone in the history of human space flight, and we’re honored to be a part of it,” said Bob Smith, CEO, Blue Origin. “Our National Team brings unparalleled heritage, passion and innovation that will enable Americans to return to the lunar surface and inspire another generation. It’s time to go back to the Moon, this time to stay.”

Using existing and in development technologies provides the head start needed to meet NASA’s goal of landing at the South Pole of the Moon. Lockheed Martin’s Ascent Element is based on Orion; Northrop Grumman’s Transfer Element is based on Cygnus; and Blue Origin’s Descent Element is based on the Blue Moon lander and BE-7 engine, which has been in development for several years.“Lockheed Martin is honored to be partnered with Blue Origin and this National Team as we begin a moment in history that the world will point to for generations,” said Rick Ambrose, executive vice president, Lockheed Martin Space. “The Artemis astronauts will descend to the surface and ascend off the surface inside an advanced crewed ascent element. The best way to accomplish this safely and quickly is to leverage NASA’s investment in Orion, an existing human-rated deep space spaceship, which maximizes common training and operations.”

Blue Origin/NASA
“Putting humans back on the lunar surface is an inspiring goal for our nation,” said Blake Larson, corporate vice president and president of Northrop Grumman Space Systems. “We are proud to support this team and NASA with our decades of experience, comprehensive capabilities, and our proven space systems, as we return to the Moon.”“Draper’s extensive portfolio and heritage in human exploration avionics is reinforced by current work on Lockheed Martin’s Orion, NASA’s SLS, Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus and Blue Origin’s engine, New Glenn and Blue Moon programs,” said Seamus Tuohy, Principal Director of Space Systems, Draper. “We are prepared for this united team to return humans to the Moon, just as Draper did with Apollo.”Each National Team partner brings industry-leading solutions:

Blue Origin, as prime contractor, leads program management, systems engineering, safety and mission assurance, and mission engineering and operations; and develops the Descent Element.
Lockheed Martin develops the reusable Ascent Element vehicle and leads crewed flight operations and training.
Northrop Grumman develops the Transfer Element vehicle that delivers the landing system into low lunar orbit for final descent.
Draper leads descent guidance and provides flight avionics.

The National Team looks forward to embarking on the next steps with NASA and continuing progress to return to the Moon – this time to stay.