Ubi: The J.A.R.V.I.S. of common man

Ubi is a computer with no screen, keyboard, or mouse. You plug the device into any outlet found in your home. Once plugged in you connect it to your home wifi network. Ubi is voice activated, and much like iPhone’s Siri — or, more accurately, HouseLogix’s VoicePod — it can respond to your voice in kind. So, if you want to know what the weather is going to be like before you leave the house, you simply say “Ubi, what will the weather be like today?” And it does a quick internet search and gives a clear and audible answer.  Read past the break for more info and a short video...

The idea is that a homeowner would purchase several Ubi devices (ideally, one for each room of the house). These devices would then network together, and provide the user with an omnipresent, always-on home computer that could be called on at a moment’s notice from anywhere in the house.

But aside from acting as home Siri, the real potential of Ubi comes from its possible uses in home automation applications.

Using various built in sensors, Ubi could monitor heat, light, and even energy output in a house. It could detect when lights have been left on in vacant rooms, and when coupled with compatible home automation hardware it could shut them off. It could deactivate power-draining appliances when they aren’t being used. It could basically control every electronic system in the house, and cut down on wasted power in the process.

But don’t worry: for the more complex programming, you won’t have to do it all via vocal commands. Ubi will be able to link up directly with your portable smart device so that you can keep track of all your home’s various systems. Ubi can even function as a home security system package all in one, by texting your mobile device in the event that a door is unlocked or a light turned on while you’re away from home.

Unfortunately, Ubi has yet to actually hit the market, so all of these home automation features are currently little more than flashy promises. On the plus side, however, the Ubi Kickstarter campaign successfully raised its funding goal back in September 2012, and in May, 2013, the very first beta testing unit found its way into the hands of one of the Kickstarter contributors. If everything goes as planned, then in just a few short years, you might be able to tell your house what to do… without feeling like a crazy person.