Twine: smart home with simple interface

We used to think that the equipment for the “smart home” is a bunch of electronics and a price list for thousands of dollars. The developers of the Twine sensor kit have set a goal to debunk this myth and make something completely simple and seemingly even toy.

Twine looks like a set of fun toys: one funny magnet is mounted on the door or any other moving part, you throw a moisture sensor on the bathroom floor, and the central module - the same funny part with a built-in accelerometer - can be put on the washing machine.


^{Magnetic sensor to open the door.}
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<sup>Humidity sensor


The Twine central module is equipped with WiFi, a thermometer and an accelerometer. Power is supplied via USB or using two AAA batteries, which last for several months. The most difficult part of the installation is to connect the module to your home WiFi.


Expansion module for connecting additional sensors.</sup>

As a result, you get a working system of "intelligent building". Through the web interface, you can monitor the temperature in the house, the opening of the doors, the operation of the washing machine, receive emergency messages via SMS, e-mail or Twitter, if there is a water leak or the front door is opened. But the most important thing is that the control is carried out through a clear interface: the system can be programmed even by a child through a set of simple rules.



In addition to the set, a large red button is sold, which can be programmed for any action and put near the computer.



Now Twine developers, two design engineers from a Supermechanical startup, are raising money through Kickstarter to release the first batch of devices. With the required budget of $ 35 thousand. Long before the final date, they already attracted 426 "investors" totaling $ 61,145. If you invest at least $ 500, you get two Twine sets: each of them consists of a central wireless module, two sensors and an expansion module, plus branded T-shirt and a set of batteries as a bonus. Delivery outside the United States will cost an additional $ 15, promising to begin sales in March.