Honda Smart Home System for better energy management unveiled

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. has unveiled a test Honda house built in the city of Saitama, Japan, for the demonstration testing of the Honda Smart Home System (HSHS). The house features HSHS, which comprehensively controls in-house energy supply and demand, and helps manage both the generation and consumption of energy for the home, such as heat and electricity, while utilizing mobility products. HSHS is also designed to enable users to secure their own supply of energy and mobility in a time of disaster.

Honda's smart home

The HSHS installed in this demonstration test house consists of CIGS thin-film solar cell panels, a home battery unit (rechargeable battery), household gas-engine cogeneration unit and hot-water supply system, and the Smart e Mix Manager. The Smart e Mix Manager, the core of the HSHS, is a comprehensive energy management device, which applies optimal control to electricity supplied from the commercial grid and generated by each energy device that composes the system. The Smart e Mix Manager reduces CO2 emissions from the home and, at the same time, provides a backup supply of electricity, so that the house can be self-sufficient in the event of a power outage or disaster.

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Striving to realize "the joy and freedom of mobility" and "a sustainable society where people can enjoy life," Honda will conduct demonstration testing of the HSHS that is linked with electromotive mobility products, such as electric vehicles, and the Internavi system. Through this demonstration testing, Honda will aim to reduce CO2 by 50 percent (in comparison to year 2000) and verify the future direction of personal mobility. In addition, Honda will verify the backup function for household energy supply, which will provide a sense of security and comfort to the customers.

On a similar note, technology hasn’t really percolated into the housing department per se, at least at the same level as other genres. There have been isolated attempts at creating a tech home of the future and while they have just been prototypes, nothing substantial has been commercialized. If you had an option, what would you see in your Tech home of the future? Let us know in the comments section below.