It’s Saturday morning. It’s cold outside, the thermometer shows 1°C, and you’re still hiding under the covers, clutching your imaginary coffee mug in your hands. But something is different — the house is already warm, the blinds have slowly risen, and the light in the living room has discreetly turned on. It’s not magic. It’s just VIKI, which can be taught that on certain days you want to have a gentler wake-up.
That’s how a smart home works, learning who you are and what you like. VIKI doesn’t just react to commands — it anticipates. She noticed that on late autumn weekends you like to have 22°C in your bedroom in the morning and warm light in the kitchen. So she’s got it all set up before you even get out of bed.
And yes, VIKI is also attentive to the weather. If the forecast announces negative temperatures, it sends you a notification a few days in advance: “It will be -1°C this weekend. Empty the irrigation systems and bring sensitive plants indoors.” All that is missing is to add: “And don’t forget your scarf!”
But beyond the nice messages, it is about safety and efficiency. VIKI automatically regulates energy consumption, turns off the heating in unused rooms and maintains the optimal temperature only where it is needed. If you are away from home, the system switches to economy mode and returns to ideal comfort shortly before your arrival.
That’s a home that thinks. One that doesn’t just make your life easier, it makes it warmer — literally and figuratively. Because this winter, you’re not the one turning on the heat. VIKI is, for you.
Find out more about how VIKI works.
Or find out how much it would cost to turn your home into a smart one:VIKI configurator.
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!
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!
The VIKI Knows team presented the smart house that learns your habits at the Internet & Mobile World, the largest expo-conference of digital and IT solutions for business in Central and Eastern Europe held at Romexpo, Bucharest, between October 3-4, 2018.
The event hosted exhibitors of digital and IT solutions, from start-ups, to specialists and companies developed in the field of technology and digitalization. It is a reality that we are taking part in a digital revolution in all aspects of our lives and the trend towards which humanity is heading is to use artificial intelligence for its own comfort but also for automation and security. Continue reading “VIKI Knows attended the Internet & Mobile World event” »
The dream of having a smart home is more accessible now than ever. Whether you have been wanting such a home for a long time or just for a while, there are a few things you need to know before embarking on this journey.
The best time for the decision to have a smart home is from the design phase. Then, together with the team of architects and builders, you will be able to set up a project that offers amazing control possibilities and most importantly, you will be able to easily integrate most of the necessary electrical and sensory systems. Continue reading “When is it too late to make the decision to automate your home?” »
And yes, it worked perfectly!
