At last week’s CES in Las Vegas, California-based U-Tec announced U Home, a smart-home security and automation ecosystem.

It includes the Ultraloq smart lock system, Bright smart lighting, Ulticam AI security camera, and the Smart plug and switch. Users can build their own personalised smart-home suite to create a safe and streamlined living space.

The U Home platform is suitable for homeowners looking for an easy and powerful tool to enhance their home security and automation, with cross-ecosystem compatibility and wide-ranging product coverage. It is paired with a purpose-built mobile app that transforms the system into the central command centre for smart-home appliances, giving users the ability to access, control and monitor their devices with a single tap.

The app works seamlessly with Ultraloq smart locks and allows users to control U-Tec’s devices, including lights, plugs, switches and cameras. This all-in-one app allows for simultaneous control and synchronisation of multiple devices with a single command, and is compatible with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings for voice control. There are plans for U Home’s smart devices to support Matter.

The devices will be available for purchase in February 2024; Ulticam will be available for purchase in June 2024.

“As we transition from standalone smart devices towards interconnected smart systems, we see a future with greater integration of multiple devices that are linked by a central platform,” said Clark Ruan, vice president of U-Tec. “Powered by AI and machine learning, U Home is designed to enable seamless interconnectivity across smart devices, empowering users to create a more comfortable and enjoyable daily life.”

Boosting safety without compromising convenience, U Home leverages biometric recognition, cloud security and bank-level encryption to strengthen its security features such as real-time monitoring, anomaly detection and data backup, while offering a simplified smart-home experience.

The evolution of AI and edge computing are unlocking more possibilities for smart homes and U Home devices respond to the trend by harnessing edge AI technology to automate information delivery, offering convenience and efficiency in a wide array of scenarios.

Smart-home services that don’t cover all product categories require users to purchase devices from different brands. The devices supported by U Home are all independently developed by U-Tec, and cover five categories with over 20 SKUs, capable of meeting the demands of various scenarios including lighting, security and energy management, ensuring uniformity in design and protocols to allow for easier management.

“With U Home, users can seamlessly control lighting with a single command and conveniently switch on or off an entire set of lights,” said Ruan. “Arriving home, the system automatically deactivates surveillance, and switches on lights and your humidifier, offering a warm welcome. A connected smart speaker is ready for voice commands, easily turning off all the devices before bed. U Home delivers an exceptional smart-home experience, merging convenience, automation and security.”

Founded in 2015, U-Tec (www.u-tec.com) is based in Union City, California.