MUNICH, GERMANY – (November 29, 2016) – The number of consumers who engage with voice functionality on a monthly basis will grow to more than 1 billion by the year 2021.¹ To separate themselves from the competition and improve their customers’ experience, Smart Home Technology innovator digitalSTROM AG has partnered with Vectorform to integrate Amazon Echo into their Smart Home platform. The digitalSTROM platform goes beyond standard Smart Home functions by understanding user intents.

digitalSTROM and Vectorform have been exploring the capabilities of Amazon Echo since mid-2015 with various proof of concepts (POCs) and sample integrations showcased around the globe. After working through the challenges of the emerging platform and conversational user interactions they developed their first Amazon Echo Skill, “My Butler.”  digitalSTROM customers can now interact with their connected Smart Home using “My Butler” in many ways, including;

• Execute an explicit command, e.g. control roller shutters
• Query of in-depth information, e.g. asking the current temperature
• Communicate a general wish that is executed by the digitalSTROM system, e.g. wanting to read

“We have setup the digitalSTROM integration via the Amazon Echo Skill in a way that all features and capabilities of digitalSTROM are immediately available. Saying “Alexa, tell My Butler that I want to have breakfast” will immediately trigger the user defined action.”

Martin Vesper, CEO, digitalSTROM AG

The Amazon Echo Skill has added a new touchpoint for digitalSTROM customers, enabling intuitive, hands-free access to their Smart Home. The “My Butler” Skill is currently available in the US, UK and Germany – one of approximately thirty Skills available during the German Amazon Echo market launch on October 26, 2016.

If you have an idea for a voice controlled experience to discuss, contact Vectorform to see how they can help transform your organization through their innovation consultancy and digital transformation offerings.

About digitalSTROM AG
The digitalSTROM smart home standard stands for a comprehensive networking concept and a digital lifestyle. The manufacturer-independent digitalSTROM platform makes it possible to control all devices via software, for them to cooperate intelligently, and make them increasingly smarter. Analog devices such as lamps, blinds, and light sensors become digital by means of the digitalSTROM switches. They are connected with each other and the Internet through the existing electrical wiring. This makes digitalSTROM suitable for both existing and new buildings. Devices that are networked via Wi-Fi or LAN can also be integrated into the platform quickly and easily through their open IP interfaces due to the convenient digitalSTROM server (dSS) IP. As a result, digitalSTROM services such as voice command and automation are available immediately and to everyone.

The networking technology stands out through its high degree of future viability because it is based on two very durable infrastructures (electrical wiring and IP). At the same time, digitalSTROM’s platform provides extensive flexibility due to its modular expandability because just one networked device is already enough to use all of the platform’s features. This makes it possible to flexibly design and customize the home at any time according to changing living situations and individual needs.

The digitalSTROM AG with headquarters in Zurich-Schlieren (Switzerland) markets digitalSTROM in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, as well as other European and non-European countries. Martin Vesper is the CEO of the company. digitalSTROM was recently awarded the Future Digital Award for Best Consumer Product in the Smart Home category by the internationally renowned market research company Juniper Research. It received the Internet of Things Award (IoTA) by the Total Telecom Verlag publishing company in the Smart Home Initiative category.

About Vectorform
Vectorform is an invention company that creates digital products and experiences for the world’s leading brands with a focus on Mobile, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Internet of Things, Smart Home, Connected Vehicle and Wearable Technology. Founded in 1999, Vectorform has five global offices: Seattle, Detroit, New York, Munich and Hyderabad. Visit Vectorform.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+. 

Source: ¹ http://www.speechtechmag.com/Articles/Editorial/FYI/Market-Spotlight-Voice-Functionality-to-Grow-80-Percent-in-Five-Years-112673.aspx