VELUX collaborates with Netatmo in the field of smart innovations in homes

VELUX today announced a partnership with Netatmo, a company specializing in revolutionary "smart" homes. VELUX is collaborating with Netatmo to develop innovative climate control in homes called VELUX Active. The partnership, along with the product concept, was announced today at CES Unveiled - the preview of the world's largest electronics trade fair, the Consumer Electronic Show 2017 in Las Vegas, USA.

The launch of the first VELUX Active products is scheduled for autumn 2017. They will include a Wi-Fi gateway and smart controllers for VELUX INTEGRA® roof windows and shading devices, together with a control app for iOS and Android. Based on a range of indoor climate parameters, such as temperature, amount of sunlight, humidity, and CO2 levels, users will be able to automatically choose the operation of roof windows and shading accessories. This will ensure the best indoor climate in their homes at any time. VELUX Active has won two prestigious CES 2017 awards in the Smart Home and Eco Design & Sustainability categories.

Live Smart and Healthy

Smart homes and home automation are one of the biggest customer trends of recent times. Worldwide revenues for all smart home solutions are expected to quadruple by 2020 to nearly 1.7 trillion korunas, as more and more household products are connected to the internet and interconnected. "Very soon, we will provide our customers with even better control over healthy climate and sufficient daylight in their homes. This goes hand in hand with a higher quality of living," says Jørgen Tang-Jensen, CEO of the VELUX Group. "VELUX has been creating better living environments for more than 75 years, and collaborating with Netatmo represents a significant step forward in providing not only greater comfort and well-being but also in efficient energy management and safety."

"We are very pleased to have developed the VELUX Active solution with VELUX, a leader in the roof window industry. This partnership will demonstrate our ability to offer creative solutions that fit into home infrastructures and directly address the B2B market," explains Fred Potter, founder and president of Netatmo. "Through this collaboration, we bring our expertise in artificial intelligence, product software integration, electronics, and user experience," he adds.

Intelligent Connection with Apple

As part of its smart home and Internet of Things (IoT) strategy, VELUX announced in August 2016 the start of cooperation with Apple to develop products compatible with HomeKit, Apple's smart home platform. "Support for Apple HomeKit is a great opportunity for smart home technology to be part of the future development of healthier and energy-efficient homes," says Petr Král, marketing director of VELUX Czech Republic. The VELUX Group expects to unveil the first product solutions integrated into the Apple HomeKit platform during 2017. 

VELUX = VE (ventilation) + LUX (light) Research on adequate ventilation of interiors using VELUX windows exemplifies how this company embraces the legacy of its founder Villum Kann Rasmussen, who had a vision to create a so-called model company. That is a company that works with products beneficial to society and treats its customers, suppliers, employees of all categories, and shareholders better than most other companies. The owner of VELUX is the VKR Holding A/S group, whose shares are held by several foundations established by the founding family of Villum Kann Rasmussen. Most of the group's profits are allocated to research, environmental, and cultural purposes. In 2015, the VELUX Foundation and its parent group VKR Holding A/S donated 545 contributions amounting to over 111 million euros for these purposes.

About VELUX
For 75 years, the VELUX Group has been creating better living conditions for people around the world by providing them with daylight and fresh air through roof windows. Our product range includes roof windows and products for flat roof illumination as well as a wide array of decorative elements and blinds, shades, installation solutions, and smart controls for homes. These products help ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor environment for work, study, play, and enjoyment. We operate globally - selling and manufacturing in over 40 countries and employing around 9,500 people worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, whose shares are held by several foundations and the family. More information can be found at www.velux.cz.

About Netatmo
Netatmo is a company focused on revolutionary smart homes, developing groundbreaking, intuitive connected consumer electronics with great design. Netatmo's innovative products are truly "smart" and offer a seamless experience that helps users create safer, healthier, and more comfortable homes. Netatmo pays great attention to the design of mechanics, electronics, and embedded software of all its products to the highest standards. Netatmo also develops mobile and web applications that fully leverage its potential.

Since 2012, Netatmo has launched thirteen devices and accessories, divided into four categories:

• Weather: Personal weather station and accessories, Additional module, Rain gauge, and Anemometer;
• Energy: Smart thermostat and Smart radiator valves, both designed by Philippe Starck;
• Security: Security cameras Welcome (indoor) and Presence (outdoor) and accessories, Tags, and Indoor security siren and Smart smoke detector
• Air care: Healthy home coach, a smart indoor climate monitoring tool

Netatmo is a key player in the smart home field, and its products are available through various distribution networks worldwide, from major retailers to B2B channels. Through its "With Netatmo" program, Netatmo develops new connected solutions for residential infrastructure in cooperation with the construction industry, for both new builds and renovations. In November 2015, Netatmo completed a Series B funding round of 30 million euros. In 2013, it earned 4.5 million euros.