Johnson Controls, a company known for making devices that manage building ventilation and smoke detection systems, unveiled a new thermostat which will make use of Microsoft’s Windows 10 Internet of Things operating system and will be powered by the Cortana AI assistant from the company. The new thermostat, named Glas, was shown off in a short YouTube teaser video on Wednesday, July 19, which gives people an idea of what to expect.
Cortana-powered GLAS thermostat
Johnson Controls new device shows off what makes it different from its competitors, namely the Google Nest, which is also known as Hive in the UK.
Unlike Google’s thermostat, GLAS will be able to detect when the user is present inside the room and will update the user accordingly about the room’s air quality and temperature setting. Additional information, such as energy consumption and even calendar information can also be accessed through the device.
However, the video teaser did not elaborate on when the thermostat would be available in the market. It also did not reveal if the impending device would be available in both the United States and in the United Kingdom. Specifications and price details are expected to follow in some time and would give a better idea of what the device would be capable of doing.
The most important and highlighted feature of GLAS is that it will be compatible with Cortana from Microsoft.
The assistant will most likely provide the technology deep learning abilities, through which it will be able to predict a user’s choices and preferences. GLAS can be controlled by voice commands as well, due to the presence of Cortana.
The short video also hinted at the targeted market for the Cortana powered thermostat. Microsoft and Johnson Controls may be pushing the new product for both private consumers and the corporate sector.
In the description of the video, it is stated that heating and cooling functionalities account for almost 48 percent of the total power usage in an average U.S. home. While the same accounts for 40 percent of the power usage in a traditional office space.
Microsoft showing off the versatility of its Windows 10 IoT?
The Windows 10 IoT core developed by the Redmond-based company is a platform which is specifically designed for integration into smaller devices such as these thermostats, speakers, and other smart home appliances.
In March this year, Microsoft unveiled the Creator’s Update for the Windows 10 IoT core, which it said could be housed in smaller devices with a display. These devices running on the IoT core would be able to integrate the Cortana assistant as well.