A smart hotel showcase jointly developed WeChat and internet-of-things (IoT) solution provider Ayla Networks was premiered at The LINQ Hotel & Casino during the international Consumer Electronics Show 2015.
Similar to the smart office solution previously unveiled by WeChat and Ayla, the WeChat public account for a suite will automatically be added to a user’s WeChat after scanning the relevant QR code. The guest can then control the suite’s connected devices, including dimmable lights, blinds and curtains, thermostats, door locks and plugs, via WeChat.
WeChat launched an API in mid-2014 enables interaction with connected hardware via its public accounts. Besides communicating with followers, the public account system has a number sophisticated features on top of it. Several Chinese hardware manufacturers, from makers of wearables to home appliances to medical devices, have integrated their products with WeChat’s public account system.
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Ayla Networks established its China office in the first half of 2014, in Shenzhen, China’s smart hardware manufacturing hub, and soon began developing WeChat-based smart office systems. At both Ayla China and WeChat there are offices where users can enter a room by scanning a QRcode and control the connected devices, from projector to air conditioner, via WeChat.
All the devices in the The LINQ Hotel & Casino and the smart office have integrated Ayla Network’s Agile IoT systems. While Ayla Networks is based overseas, a dozen local IoT solution providers have emerged in China in the last couple of years.
Editing by Mike Cormack (@bucketoftongues)