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Tag: Bond Bridge

  • Josh.ai & Olibra Partner to Launch Bond Bridge Integration

    Josh.ai & Olibra Partner to Launch Bond Bridge Integration

    Josh.ai continues expanding upon the power and range of artificial intelligence in the home through integration with Olibra, makers of the Bond Bridge family of products. Focused on bringing IoT connectivity to devices that are widely used, but lack a unified and simple user experience, Bond Bridge Pro is the most awarded Wi-Fi to RF bridge connecting motorized shades, ceiling fans, and fireplaces to the smart home. For clients that want a convenient means to connect to all of their environmental devices, Josh.ai now provides them with a simple and privacy-oriented means of control. 

    “We are excited to partner with Josh to enable Bond customers with natural and private voice control. Together, Josh and Bond offer the CEDIA channel an unmatched level of access to shades, lights, ceiling fans, fireplaces, and more devices. Our solutions are a perfect fit to expand the smart home and ensure it stays connected,” said Zohar Shinar, CEO of Olibra.

    When dealers implement Bond Bridge with their Josh.ai systems, they can do so with confidence. Other bridges face challenges with RF range, requiring multiple devices that can produce collisions on a single RF channel that result in lost commands. By leveraging a single device, installers will save time, and service calls, and reduce the overall cost of a project for their clients.

    Compatibility with Bond Bridge and Bond Bridge Pro allows Josh.ai to natively support Smart by Bond lights, shades, and fans. Once a Smart by Bond device is authorized, it automatically populates Josh.ai for further configuration. Utilizing Josh.ai’s advanced device aliasing capabilities and user-friendly custom scene builder, installers and their clients will enjoy an unmatched level of accessibility when customizing their living spaces. 

    For example, clients can create personalized scenes to set the perfect mood or simply give a natural language voice command like, “Hey Josh, dim the chandelier, draw the curtains, and lower the fan speed.”

    “Voice control of environmental devices are some of the most popular activations we see by Josh users. Personally, I give commands to the lights and shades in my home multiple times a day,” said Alex Capecelatro, CEO of Josh.ai. “I’m excited that our partnership with Olibra provides dealers, designers, and homeowners with even more options to deliver magical smart home experiences!”

    In addition to the efficiency of contextual voice automation, Olibra partners will be comforted by Josh.ai’s strong stance as a privacy-focused voice assistant, purpose-built for professionally installed smart home systems. Clients will have peace of mind knowing that Josh.ai is committed to providing a delightful and inclusive voice experience without sharing or selling user data for marketing purposes.

    Dealers interested in learning more can visit both companies at CEDIA Expo: 

    • Josh.ai: Booth 14045
    • Olibra / Bond Home: Booth 29087
  • Home Connectivity Platform Bond Bridge Continues Expansion with More Integrators, Sales Growth, Recognition and National PR Program

    Home Connectivity Platform Bond Bridge Continues Expansion with More Integrators, Sales Growth, Recognition and National PR Program

    Since coming to market in 2018, technology company Olibra has been hard at work responding to strong demand and expanding opportunities for their Bond Bridge platform. Bond Bridge enables users to command their RF remote controlled-equipped motorized window shades, ceiling fans, and fireplaces instead via the Bond Home App (smartphone/tablet) or a whole-house control system. Now closing in on 1,000 integrators worldwide, Bond Bridge’s combination of reliability, flexibility, and cost-effectiveness is hitting the mark. 

    Introduced in 2018, aimed at the DIY market, and then discovered by integrators, Bond Bridge ($99 MSRP) learns the commands of the appliance’s RF-remote control. This empowers the user to control the appliance(s) via the Bond Home App. Plus, voice-activated control is attainable with the addition of Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or SmartThings Apps. Bond Bridge requires no installation or wiring, and a single Bond Bridge can control as many as thirty connected appliances in a 2,500 square foot home and from anywhere in the world. 

    In 2020 Olibra introduced the Bond Bridge Pro (MSRP $379) to the CEDIA channel at the Virtual Expo and Tech Bites competition. Developed expressly with the home technology professional in mind, Bond Bridge Pro brings power provisions from PoE and robust IP connectivity for easy integration with Control4, Crestron, Elan, RTI, Homebridge, and Hubitat. A step-up in capability and range, Bond Bridge Pro controls up to fifty appliances in a 3,500 square foot home, bringing simplified, unified control to larger projects and covering the entire home. 

    Exposure for Bond Bridge Pro continued with the March 2021 CE Pro Podcast #47: Bridging Gaps to Broaden Today’s Smart Home Possibilities, where CE Pro Magazine editor Arlen Schweiger interviewed Olibra CEO Zohar Shinar. “After talking to multiple dealers, we realized they loved the idea of going into a job and connecting a lot of appliances without doing any wiring and without any workarounds – just use the [Bond Bridge Pro] hub. No need for line of sight, just learn the controls of those appliances,” told Shinar.

    Adding to this, in 2021 CE Pro Magazine recognized Bond Bridge Pro with their IoT/Connected Product award (Control Interface category) which honored IoT-related products serving residential and commercial markets. Entries were judged on several key elements: innovation / technological advancement, ability to integrate with other products, value, end-user, and integrator benefits.

    “From thermostats to surveillance cameras, to appliances, to whole-house control systems and everything in between, the Internet of Things (IoT) is becoming ubiquitous in the home. And the Bond Bridge Pro is playing a role in that expansion,” says Jason Knott, editor-in-chief of CE Pro.

    “Shinar details what is fueling Olibra’s growth: “Integrators care most about reliability, simplicity, and value as evidenced by the hundreds of integrators now working with Bond Bridge Pro. It installs easily and opens the door to consolidated control of traditionally RF-controlled devices. On top of this, we expanded tech support to 12-hours a day, 7-days a week.”

    Olibra has conducted a survey that affirms end-users preferences and needs in Smart motorized shades. This research is important for home technology professionals to understand the new and retrofit sales opportunities that Bond Bridge creates. Access the survey here:[%20] https://bit.ly/3BspihN 

    “It is clear to us that Olibra has created a worthwhile new platform that delivers efficient functionality, reliability, and real value to integrators everywhere. With all this and other near-term initiatives such as 2022 Tech Summits, major partnerships, and new products, Bond Bridge will become a household name in the channel in a short time,” says Muto Communications Bond Bridge Account Director Richard Frank.