Why now is the perfect time to make your home smart

 
Estimated reading time: 2,5 minutes

Late summer means scorching sun, rare rains and gardens that need a lot more attention. For the average homeowner, this means wasted time with the hose or complicated programming of the classic irrigation system. For a smart home, however, the solution is simple: watering automation through VIKI.

A home that adapts to your lifestyle
A smart home is not just about controlling the light or temperature from the app on your phone. In the case of VIKI, it means more: a system that learns your habits, recognizes your behaviors and automatically adapts to your daily routine. If you wake up in the morning at 7:00, the light gradually turns on and the temperature in your bedroom is already comfortable. If you know that in the evening you prefer a relaxed atmosphere, the lights and ambient music are automatically adjusted. When you leave home, the system automatically reduces energy consumption and ensures that everything remains safe. All these scenarios do not have to be set manually every time. VIKI sensors “observe” what you do every second, identify learned contexts and reproduce your behaviors, so that the home develops its own brain, VIKI becoming a true virtual butler.

Real savings, not just comfort
Another reason why September is the perfect time to start implementing a smart home system is related to energy costs. Autumn brings with it higher electricity and gas bills, as the days get colder and the natural light gets shorter. VIKI helps reduce these costs through: intelligent lighting control, which turns on only where and when needed; temperature adjustment based on the actual presence of family members at home, so as not to heat empty rooms; management of renewable sources (if you have photovoltaic panels or energy storage batteries) through HEMS (Home Energy Management System); detailed monthly reports, which show you exactly how much you have consumed and where you can optimize. Basically, the system not only offers you comfort, but also prediction, along with better control over maintenance costs.

Safety for loved ones
Another essential advantage is security. VIKI integrates door and window sensors, motion, CO2, smoke, gas or flood detectors and can be interfaced with a burglar alarm system. This way, even if you leave home for a long weekend or a vacation, your home remains protected, and you receive real-time notifications on your phone.

For families with children or the elderly, there is also the behavior monitoring function: if VIKI detects a sudden change in routine (for example, someone does not wake up at the usual time or does not turn on the light in a room), it sends useful alerts for the peace of mind of your loved ones.

Why now?
Autumn is the perfect time to make the switch to a smart home for several reasons: you’re entering a new rhythm of life, so it’s the ideal time to set your home routine; you have time to complete the installation before winter arrives and the season of high energy bills; it’s an investment that starts to yield results immediately, through comfort, safety, and visible savings.

How do you start?
The first step is simple: use the price configurator VIKI (available on desktop or laptop), where you can create a personalized plan for your home and receive a detailed quote. If you don’t have access to a computer, our team is available by phone or email to discuss the details.

📘 Find out more about VIKI solutions HERE.
👉 Try now the price configurator.

VIKI and smart irrigation: the garden that waters itself

 
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Late summer means scorching sun, rare rains and gardens that need a lot more attention. For the average homeowner, this means wasted time with the hose or complicated programming of the classic irrigation system. For a smart home, however, the solution is simple: watering automation through VIKI.

How VIKI irrigation works
VIKI integrates humidity, temperature and light sensors and uses the collected data to decide when and how much water to provide to the plants. Everything is managed through the smart board and friendly interface, where the owner can:
– set irrigation programs for each area of ​​the garden;
– monitor watering through graphs and reports;
– receive notifications when a program has been executed;
– adjust the duration or frequency of watering in real time.

Irrigation by areas
The garden can be divided into several circuits – lawn, trees, flowers, vegetables – and each receives the necessary water on a separate schedule. If the water network does not have enough flow to cover the entire space simultaneously, VIKI “breaks” the program into stages, so that each area is irrigated correctly.

Water tank and precise control
In many implementations, the system includes a rainwater storage tank (also with a dechlorination function) and actuators controlled by VIKI. These decide when to fill the tank and when to start the irrigation circuits. The result? Efficient water use and a healthy garden, without the risk of overwatering.

Urban garden – same technology, different scale
If in a large yard we are talking about lawn and trees, in a city apartment the challenge is different: a few pots on the balcony or even a terrace transformed into an urban garden. And here VIKI makes the difference:
– each pot or area of ​​the terrace can be connected to the irrigation circuit;
– sensors transmit information about humidity and light;
– in the absence of natural light, VIKI can turn on special lamps to support photosynthesis.


With a smart irrigation system managed by VIKI, your garden becomes autonomous and efficient. You set the rules once, and then you can go on vacation or to work, knowing that each plant receives water exactly when it needs it.

Whether you have a generous yard or a balcony transformed into a corner of nature, VIKI gives you the comfort of knowing that your garden is in good hands.

VIKI BrainBOX, a cocktail of technologies: when KNX and DALI meet at the intelligence bar

 
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

What is the connection between a well-balanced summer cocktail and a smart home system? Simple: both are carefully selected mixes of ingredients that must work perfectly together. If a Piña Colada cools your senses, a well-built VIKI BrainBOX warms your soul… and your home.
And because we like to play and test the limits of technology, one day like any other at the office we found ourselves transforming the laboratory into a high-tech bar: we mixed two top technologies – KNX and DALI, put two existing boards (BASIC + ADVANCED) in a shaker and shook well to obtain… the MAXIMUS of the future.

What did we want to test?
A smart home enthusiast challenged us to integrate more devices than would fit in a single panel. And not only that – he wanted fine-grained control, communication between devices from different manufacturers, and, most importantly, smooth, hassle-free integration. And so the test began.

Test scenario in VIKI BrainBOX LABS:
🔹 We connected a BASIC and an ADVANCED panel in a common setup
🔹 We installed the ABB i-bus DG/S 1.64.1.1 gateway, which does the magic between KNX and DALI – that is, it allows information exchange between the two worlds.
🔹 We used elegant and functional switches such as the KNX Push Button Pro (MTN6185-6034) and the model with Dynamic Labeling 8gang (MTN6194-6010).
🔹 We tested DALI control equipment, including On/Off and dimming actuators from Foxtron.

Everything, to make sure that the telegrams are transferred flawlessly: KNX sends to DALI, DALI sends to VIKI, and VIKI – the brain of the house – understands and acts.

And yes, it worked perfectly!
💡 Ambient lighting reacts as if by book.
📱 Commands can be given from the screen on the wall, from the phone or… can be completely automated.
🧠 VIKI learns how you want the light to be in the evening in the living room or in the morning in the bathroom.
🎯 All these components will soon be part of a new VIKI BrainBOX MAXIMUS panel – custom-made for our enthusiastic client, who will have a 100% personalized smart home.
And we documented everything in a VIDEO which we are sure you are curious to see.

What did we like the most?
That we were in our element. That we felt like explorers in a laboratory of ideas again. That we laughed, changed cables, checked connections and concluded: it’s wonderful when technology becomes friendly and actually works together.
That’s what we do at VIKI. We combine technologies, test, learn and deliver smart systems that not only respond to your commands, but also anticipate them. Because, beyond technology, VIKI knows!

📘 Do you also want a personalized painting for your home? Start here: Download PDF Catalog VIKI BrainBOX.

VIKI BrainBOX MAXIMUS – the story of a house that knows what you need

 
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

We like to be prepared with clear solutions for any type of home. That’s why we created two predefined versions of smart electrical panels – VIKI BrainBOX BASIC and VIKI BrainBOX ADVANCED. But, every now and then, a project comes along that challenges us to think beyond the standard. That’s how MAXIMUS was born.

It all started with a special request: a client who was building a house of approximately 250 sq m and who wanted total control over his home, without compromise. The two existing models were no longer enough – more power, more flexibility, more circuits and a personalized approach were needed.

That’s how VIKI BrainBOX MAXIMUS was born – a custom panel, with 400% more managed facilities than the ADVANCED model, with approximately 100 output circuits and 35 smart inputs, designed specifically to meet the needs of this generous home.

What can MAXIMUS do?
MAXIMUS is the heart of the VIKI system, from where all intelligent controls, automations and decisions made based on the behavior of the residents start. Here are some of the functions it manages:

INTERIOR:
– Entrance door control with electromagnetic shutter
– Complete ambient lighting (On/Off, dimming, LED strips, RGBW) with scenarios, VIKI intelligence or app controls
– Automatic water supply shut-off in case of flooding, via solenoid valve
– Integration with underfloor heating system and heat recovery ventilation system
– Automation for curtains, drapes, blinds, roller shutters or awnings
– Monitoring of energy consumption via smart meter, with direct reporting in the app

EXTERIOR:
– Entrance bell and call reader
– Intelligent architectural lighting, with two levels of intensity, motion detection and presence simulation scenarios
– Dedicated lighting for the barbecue area
– Control of access to the yard (gates), garage and pedestrian
– Automated outdoor irrigation
– Dedicated circuit for storage battery and photovoltaic panels

In addition to these functions managed by the panel, the house was also equipped with a series of sensors and smart equipment strategically placed in each area. They constantly communicate with the VIKI server and provide essential information for automated decision-making. We are talking about presence sensors (which also measure temperature, humidity and ambient light), smoke and CO2 sensors, door and window sensors that send alerts or automatically adjust the climate, as well as flood sensors placed in key areas.

In addition, the house benefits from smart features that increase comfort and safety: the system is ready for the integration of a high-performance Home Cinema, ambient sound is distributed to several rooms, and the TVs in the living room can be controlled directly through VIKI. The Wi-Fi connection is optimized for stable coverage in all rooms, and the system automatically detects the presence of family members. It is also integrated with an alarm system, has electrical backup for essential functions and is protected by a reliable voltage regulator.

All these components form the nervous system of the home, and VIKI AI algorithms interpret them to learn the family’s routines, anticipate needs and execute the necessary actions, without anyone having to press a button.

MAXIMUS is proof that when the customer wants a home that knows, we do whatever it takes to make that dream come true. Because VIKI knows!

📘 Discover the VIKI BrainBOX models in our complete catalog: Download PDF.
👉 Learn more about our custom solutions:
Site: www.vikiknows.com
Phone: 0364 430 121
E-mail: [email protected]

From an apartment… to a house with a brain

 
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Or, in other words, how do you transform a 73 sq m apartment in an old block of flats into a smart home that makes your life simpler, safer and more comfortable.

It all started with a clear desire: “We want a smarter home.” Not necessarily a bigger or newer space, but a home that responds to the needs of those who live in it. A home that turns on the light when needed, heats the space only when someone is present and knows, without being asked, what a normal day in the family looks like.

📍 The starting space: a classic block of flats, 73 sq m. Wired like in the 2000s, with visible sockets and switches, old electrical installation and no trace of “smart” in the walls.

🔧 A serious renovation followed, a retrofit – that is, a large-scale intervention in which all the electrical installations were changed, the walls were deeply grooved, and the finishes were completely redone. The only thing that was kept was the floor – otherwise, everything was adapted for a smart future.

What does “smart” mean in this case?
📱 First of all, switches were completely abandoned. Yes, you read that right. There is no more “turn on the light in the living room” – because now the lights turn on and off by themselves, depending on how people move around the house.
🔥 The heating – with radiators – is also automated. VIKI knows when someone is home, in which room, and maintains the ideal temperature there. And when you are away, consumption automatically decreases.
🔐 The security is also smart:
Sensors that detect unusual movements at doors and windows – and send instant notifications.
Smoke and carbon dioxide sensors, for emergencies.
Flood sensors, which can save you from costly repairs (in your home or at your neighbors’).
All can be interfaced with solutions that communicate with security dispatchers, for even more peace of mind.

🧠 This entire network is orchestrated by VIKI BrainBOX – the brain of the house, which analyzes the behaviors of the residents and learns what “normal” means to them. VIKI is not just an automation system, but a butler assistant for your home, which makes decisions for you, without you telling it what to do every time. Watch the VIDEO of the home transformation.

How much does such a transformation cost?
There are two standard variants:
BASIC – suitable for apartments and small spaces, with essential functionalities – 3,790 EUR (VAT included).
ADVANCED – ideal for more complex homes or projects, with extended functionalities and more controllable areas – 4,980 EUR (VAT included).
💡 In addition, you can customize the system with extra functionalities, depending on your lifestyle, preferences and needs. Because VIKI Knows!
📘 Find all the details in our complete catalog HERE.

Why does all this matter?
Because your time is precious. Because safety shouldn’t depend on a locked door or a watchful neighbor. Because it’s absurd to give simple, daily commands to a house that can learn to do them on its own. VIKI transforms homes into places that understand you. Whether you live in an old block of flats or a new villa, VIKI gives you that upgrade you need: real comfort, without buttons.

Want to know what your home would look like if it were… smart? Start with a SIMULATION.

VIKI BrainBOX – The perfect choice for a smart home

 
Timp estimativ de citire: 2 minutes

In the age of technology, a smart home is no longer a fad, but a necessity for comfort, safety and energy efficiency. VIKI BrainBOX is the ideal solution for those who want a complete smart home system, without complications. Available in two versions – VIKI BrainBOX BASIC and VIKI BrainBOX ADVANCED – this smart electrical panel integrates essential functions for home automation. Find out which model suits you best!

VIKI BrainBOX BASIC – Essential functionality for an efficient smart home
If you want a simple but powerful solution, VIKI BrainBOX BASIC is the ideal choice. This model offers you all the essential functions for a modern smart home:
1. Control of multimedia systems – manage audio-video devices for an optimal entertainment experience;
2. Climate control (heating/cooling) – maintains the ideal temperature without manual intervention;
3. Control of sockets and multimedia devices – optimizes consumption and facilitates the use of electronics;
4. Security features – smoke, CO2, flood and burglary sensors with real-time notifications;
Price: EUR 3,790 (VAT included)

VIKI BrainBOX ADVANCED – Higher level of automation and security
For those who want extended control over their home, VIKI BrainBOX ADVANCED adds advanced functionality:
1. All BASIC functions, plus:
2. Lighting control – intelligent management of lights for comfort and energy efficiency;
3. Behavioral monitoring – the system recognizes the daily routine and issues alerts if it detects unexpected changes;
4. Intelligent control of shading systems – automatically adjusts curtains or blinds according to natural light;
5. Integration with advanced security systems – it can interface with security systems that have the mode of communication with security dispatches;
Price: EUR 4,980 (VAT included)

Additional customizable features
For customers who want a system 100% adapted to their needs, VIKI BrainBOX can be expanded with a number of optional functionalities, including:
– Smart irrigation (green walls, courtyards);
– Ambient sound (rooms, courtyards, terraces);
– Home Cinema;
– Access control (car gate, garage door, intercom, main entrance);
– Video surveillance & presence detection;
– Wi-Fi coverage optimized for indoor and outdoor;
– Electrical equipment protection & energy back-up;
– Smart metering (energy, water, gas);
– EV charging station;
– Renewable energy control (photovoltaics, wind);
– Motorized defrosting, ventilation and shading;
– Weather station & housekeeping system automation.
These functionalities are available on request, offering a complete integration tailored to each project.

Warranty and reliability
VIKI BrainBOX is designed to provide a safe and durable smart home system. Each model comes with a 24-month commercial warranty, ensuring long-term protection and reliability. Customers also benefit from specialized technical support for any questions related to installation and use.

Choose the right model for you!
Whether you want a simple and effective solution or an advanced total home control system, VIKI BrainBOX is the perfect choice. Installation is quick and efficient, and compatibility with KNX technology ensures seamless integration into any construction or renovation project.

📥 For more details, view the complete VIKI BrainBOX catalog HERE.

From home to smart home with VIKI BrainBOX

 
Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Are you building or renovating and would you like to integrate a smart home system? Now you can! A smart home is no longer a luxury, but an affordable reality. Including financial. With VIKI BrainBOX, you can integrate smart home technology even from the renovation phase, simplifying your life and increasing the safety of your home.

What is VIKI BrainBOX?
VIKI BrainBOX is a pre-wired and equipped General Electric Switchboard (TEG), specially designed for 1-3 room apartments. In addition to standard protection against overloads and short circuits, this system offers an advanced level of home automation, allowing you to control:
– Air conditioning (heating / cooling)
– Motorized lighting and shading systems
– Multimedia devices (TV, AVR, projector, Alexa Echo Dot)
– Security (flood, smoke, break-in sensors)

Why choose VIKI BrainBOX?
– Quick installation – The system is fully equipped and pre-wired, eliminating the complications of equipping the house’s electrical panel;
– Increased safety – Integration of sensors for smoke, flood and burglary alerts you in real time;
– Total control – You can manage all the functions of the home through the VIKI application, from your phone or tablet;
– Interactive learning mode – Intelligent algorithms analyze your habits and automatically optimize your comfort.

When is the ideal time to install?
For optimal integration, we recommend installing the VIKI BrainBOX before finishing construction or during major renovations. Thus, you will avoid additional costs for the modification of electrical networks and ensure the efficient operation of the system. VIKI BrainBOX also uses KNX technology, an internationally recognized standard for building automation, and requires specific wiring, which must be planned in advance to guarantee compatibility and optimal performance of the smart home system.

Equipment and prices
VIKI BrainBOX is available in two versions:
VIKI BrainBOX BASIC – EUR 3,790 (VAT included)
VIKI BrainBOX ADVANCED – EUR 4,980 (VAT included)
The difference between the models lies in the level of automation and the advanced integration of smart home functions. The ADVANCED model also includes automation of shading systems, lighting, family behavior monitoring and integration with burglar control panels.

How can it simplify your life?
Imagine a morning when the blinds rise silently at the usual waking time, if it’s winter the light comes on gradually, the temperature is set perfectly and the coffee is waiting for you. With VIKI BrainBOX, your home becomes a smart space that offers you comfort, safety and energy efficiency without effort.

Discover all the benefits of VIKI BrainBOX and turn your home into a smart one!

More details at: www.vikiknows.com
Contact: 0364 430 121
Email: [email protected]

How to enjoy the holidays without worrying about home security: VIKI is here for you!

 

Timp estimativ de citire: 1 minut

The holidays are the perfect time to escape from the daily routine and spend time with your loved ones. However, for many of us, worrying about home security remains a major stress. With VIKI, you can leave with peace of mind, knowing that your home is safe.
Smart functions that protect your home:
– Simulation of presence: VIKI can turn lights on and off or play music at irregular intervals, giving the impression that you are home.
– Automatic lowering / raising of the blinds: depending on the position of the sun in the sky, VIKI controls the blinds on the windows so that the flowers receive enough light during the day and at night create an additional barrier for thieves.
– Real-time monitoring: Through integrated surveillance cameras and instant notifications, you receive alerts in case of suspicious movements.
– Remote control: You have full access to all the functions of the house through the app – from locking the doors to checking the motion sensors.
– Integration with security sensors: If it detects an unauthorized entry or other unexpected events, VIKI sends alerts immediately and can even trigger an alarm system connected to a security dispatcher.

Bonus tip for the holidays
Track personalized notifications and periodically check the status of your home from your phone or tablet. In addition, it uses VIKI to control the switching on of Christmas lights so that they are only switched on when needed, also reducing energy consumption.

This winter and all to come, protect your home and enjoy peace of mind. VIKI knows how to take care of everything!

Preparing your home for winter with VIKI: how to enjoy comfort and energy efficiency

 

Timp estimativ de citire: 2 minute

Winter brings with it the need to maintain thermal comfort at home, but also to optimize energy consumption. VIKI, your smart home assistant, comes with functions that help you achieve exactly this balance, adapting both to your needs and to the low temperatures outside.

1. Temperature control for optimal comfort
VIKI allows you to maintain a constant and pleasant temperature in the house, intelligently adjusting the degrees according to your schedule and preferences. It can recognize the times of the day when you are home and differentiate them from those when you are away, automatically reducing energy consumption without losing comfort. For example, if you prefer a cooler room for sleep, VIKI will adjust the temperature before bed.

2. Light management in short days
As the days get shorter, natural light is more limited. VIKI takes care of the automatic management of the artificial light, turning it on or adjusting its intensity according to your needs. What’s more, you can program VIKI to turn on the lights in an efficient way, ensuring savings without sacrificing visual comfort.

3. Thermal protection by controlling the blinds
VIKI also manages the blinds in a weather-adapted way, allowing the sun to enter and heat the rooms naturally. On colder, sunnier days, raising the blinds can contribute to passive heating of the home, reducing the need for artificial heating. As the sun goes down, the blinds or roller blinds come down to better insulate the rooms.

4. Automation of household appliances for efficiency
Depending on your daily routine, VIKI can schedule appliances to work at the right times, thus avoiding unnecessary consumption. For example, you can set the washing machine to run off-peak or to turn off automatically when not needed. This reduces both the energy bill and the overall consumption, being a plus for sustainability.

5. Adaptation of the house to the lifestyle
In addition to energy efficiency, VIKI also offers you a “smart” home in the true sense of the word, automatically adapting functions to your lifestyle. You don’t have to worry about forgetting the light on or the heating being left on. VIKI learns your habits and acts for you, creating a convenient and worry-free experience.

6. Smart weather forecasting: a step forward in winter preparation
Another asset of VIKI is the smart weather warning function. The system sends you notifications at least a week before significant climate changes, such as large temperature drops, heavy rain or storms. For example, VIKI can warn you when temperatures will drop below zero degrees, suggesting you check your winter tires and prepare your irrigation system. This type of alert helps you to always be one step ahead of winter, saving time and avoiding inconvenience.


Get ready for winter with a personalized VIKI offer
If you want to know how VIKI can help you get through the cold season more easily, the price configurator here is the ideal place to start. Simple to use from your laptop or desktop, this tool offers you an offer adapted to your needs and your home, providing useful details about each function.

This winter, let VIKI take care of everything related to the comfort and energy efficiency of your home. With a set of well-thought-out smart functions, your home will always remain warm and inviting, while you save time and energy!

How we turned a challenge into success: Home automation with VIKI, even in front of a “Faraday cage”

 

Estimated reading time: 1 minute

When it comes to smart homes, VIKI solutions are always ready to solve any challenge. A recent project really put us to the test as our client started the electrical installation without being able to modify the classic wiring. To automate the lights, we opted for radio wave control where additional cables could not be run. Everything worked fine, until the metal furniture installed at the end created a “Faraday cage”, blocking the radio signals.

With maximum creativity, our team came up with the solution of mounting signal repeaters to ensure connectivity between equipment, thus providing a perfectly functional system without compromising the design or structure of the house.

This situation shows that, regardless of the challenges, VIKI always finds the right solution to ensure the comfort and functionality of your smart home. Every detail counts and our systems are built to adapt to any situation.
If you also want to find out how VIKI can transform your home into a smart and comfortable one, access our configurator here to get a personalized offer.