Vivint, a home automation services provider in North America and SDM’s 2011 Dealer of the Year, unveiled Vivint Sky, the next generation of what Vivint calls its “intelligent home experience.” Vivint Sky introduces cloud technology and smart-learning capabilities to take the home to the next level of intelligence,” according to the company.

Vivint Sky enables customers to control their lights, thermostat and door locks, as well as monitor high-definition video feeds and more from any smartphone, laptop or tablet. At the center of the new system is the Vivint SkyControl panel, which features proprietary cloud technology that learns from homeowners’ behaviors and makes intelligent suggestions to add new levels of convenience and control over the home.

For instance, Vivint’s automatic HVAC control will take cues from homeowners’ daily patterns and make guided decisions to help increase the home’s energy efficiency. The Vivint SkyControl panel serves as the hub of the experience, orchestrating a variety of home automation products, such as door locks, window and door sensors, motion detectors, connected power outlets and more. Using data from its sensors and communication from its powerful cloud technology, Vivint Sky is able to learn from homeowners’ behaviors and make intelligent suggestions in a conversational, helpful tone. These suggestions add new levels of convenience and control over the home, helping provide improved protection and monitoring.

“Vivint Sky transforms the home automation experience by providing an unprecedented level of control over the home,” said Todd Pedersen, co-founder and chief executive officer of Vivint, ranked No. 5 on the SDM 100 with 23.1 percent growth in RMR in 2014. “While we have more than 800,000 consumers already using our home automation technology, this is just the beginning. Our next step is to boldly redefine the smart home with intelligence that eliminates the burden of monitoring the home from the homeowner. With Vivint Sky, we have created a truly human smart home system that learns from you.”

The Vivint SkyControl panel features completely redesigned hardware and software developed by Vivint, including a larger touchscreen and an elegant new operating system that makes it easy to gain insights into the home. To ensure homeowners can connect to their home from anywhere, Vivint also launched the Vivint Sky mobile app for iOS and Android.

Key features of the Vivint SkyControl panel include:

• Larger Touchscreen – Homeowners can enjoy improved visibility with a seven-inch color LCD display, one of the largest in the industry. The Vivint SkyControl panel also features capacitive touch, which means it is controlled by the light touch of a finger, as opposed to resistive touchscreens that operate on the basis of applied pressure.
• On-Screen Video – From the panel, cloud or Vivint Sky app, homeowners can stream live high-definition videos from their installed video cameras. For the first time, homeowners can also watch recorded video clips on the Vivint SkyControl panel using the new Wi-Fi-based DVR solution.
• Enhanced Security and Reliability – The SkyControl panel provides a more secure solution by operating on its own private Wi-Fi network, with a firewall independent of the homeowner’s network. All communication is fully protected with industry-leading encryption technology. The SkyControl panel also relies on cellular technology to ensure the system is always available in the event of W-iFi disruptions.
• Improved Z-Wave Performance – The SkyControl panel boasts improved range for Z-Wave, a wireless technology that enables Vivint’s home automation products to securely communicate with each other in the home, as well as remotely through a laptop or smartphone.
• Faster Updates – The Vivint SkyControl panel’s broadband connection enables homeowners to continue to add intelligent capabilities through automatic system updates on the panel.
• Emergency Assistance – By pushing the Vivint SkyControl panel’s emergency button, homeowners can engage in two-way communication with emergency dispatch professionals in times of distress using the panel’s built-in microphone and speaker.

Vivint will continue to add intelligent capabilities to the SkyControl panel to advance smart learning in the home.

The free Vivint Sky app introduces new features for homeowners, including:

• Brand New Interface – To improve remote monitoring, the Vivint Sky app features a new intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Users simply swipe to adjust various areas of the home in real-time.
• Proactive Notifications – With automatic notifications, Vivint customers can stay informed on the status of their home, such as when a door is unlocked, a window is open or their family members arrive home.
• Instant Response – The Vivint Sky app communicates with the panel instantaneously, ensuring commands are carried out within seconds. For instance, when a homeowner arms the system, door locks are locked immediately. Home activity, such as doors opening or closing, is also immediately reflected in the app to help homeowners better monitor and control their home.
• Multiple System Functionality – Vivint customers with more than one system can now log in with one account and switch seamlessly between multiple systems with one swipe.
• Shared Entry Access – Customers can also easily give their friends and family access to their home. Vivint customers simply enter the friend or family member’s phone number or email address in the Vivint Sky app.

This new product introduces more home automation, coupled with security and Vivint’s award-winning monitoring station, which was the 2012 CSAA Central Station of the Year.