Voice-controlled roof windows

Velux has launched Velux Active with Netatmo, a new smart home solution that is compatible with Apple HomeKit and allows the user to control roof windows, blinds and shutters with their voice or at the touch of a button.

Kent Holm at the Velux Group said: “Few are aware of the impact of indoor air on their health and wellbeing, but the air we breathe is just as important as the food we eat or the water we drink. An average adult breathes in around 15,000 litres of air every single day and spends up to 90% of their time indoors. A healthy indoor climate goes way beyond simple convenience, which our new smart home solution ensures.”

Smart indoor sensors monitor the temperature, humidity and CO₂ concentration inside the home and activate a gateway to open or close the roof windows to improve the climate indoors. The smart home device is pre-programmed so that roof windows automatically open to let fresh air into the home when needed. The device also prevents homes from overheating by proactively closing shutters and awning blinds.

“Smart homes continue to be an important consumer trend and are expected to be mainstream within the next four years,” Kent said. “By digitalising the operation of roof windows to automatically improve your indoor climate, we’re adding a health and wellbeing dimension to the intelligent home and pushing innovation in this area to the next level.”