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Logitech Powers Smart Home Hub, Remote Control and App Using Pubnub
Technology Category
- Platform as a Service (PaaS) - Connectivity Platforms
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - API Integration & Management
Applicable Industries
- Consumer Goods
- Software
Applicable Functions
- Product Research & Development
- Business Operation
Use Cases
- Remote Control
- Remote Asset Management
- Real-Time Location System (RTLS)
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
With any home automation solution, users want to monitor and control connected devices from anywhere with an Internet connection, all from their smartphone. Logitech Harmony hub-based remotes include a smartphone app for iOS and Android for this functionality. To power this capability, the Logitech development team needed a way to securely and reliably stream data between the smartphone application and the Harmony Hub. Logitech uses PubNub Realtime Pub/Sub Messaging to power the real-time communication between the smartphone application and hub to enable Harmony users to control their devices outside the home. Flexible and customizable, the Harmony API also allows 3rd party apps (like IFTTT) to integrate and extend Harmony functionality. The Harmony API uses PubNub to communicate third party app requests to the Harmony Hub in the user’s home. Beyond device control, PubNub also streams device state from the Hub to the smartphone application. This enables users to monitor the status of devices in their home in realtime, such as temperature, or whether the lights are turned on and off. Overall, PubNub’s realtime data streaming keeps users in the loop in realtime, and streams any changes as they arise.
About The Customer
Logitech is a global provider of personal computers and tablet accessories, including keyboards, mice, microphones, remote controls, and webcams. The company is known for its innovative products that enhance the digital experience for consumers. Logitech Harmony Ultimate Home is a home automation hub, touchscreen remote, and smartphone application that enables users to control and monitor home entertainment and automation devices (e.g., locks, lights, thermostats) remotely either through the app or remote control. The company has a strong reputation for quality and reliability, making it a trusted name in the consumer electronics industry.
The Solution
In developing Harmony API and away-from-home capability, the development team had to decide whether to build real-time infrastructure themselves, or power app-hub communication with a data stream network. Understanding the significant resources that would go into building and maintaining a real-time backend in-house, Logitech chose the PubNub Data Stream Network. This ensures reliable and secure communication between the application and Hub, and reduces resources otherwise devoted to operating, maintaining, and orchestrating real-time messaging. PubNub Realtime Pub/Sub Messaging powers the real-time communication between the smartphone application and hub, enabling Harmony users to control their devices outside the home. The Harmony API also allows 3rd party apps (like IFTTT) to integrate and extend Harmony functionality. PubNub streams device state from the Hub to the smartphone application, enabling users to monitor the status of devices in their home in real-time. This comprehensive solution ensures that users can control and monitor their home automation devices seamlessly and securely.
Operational Impact
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