Residential IoT Services

Home Connect Plus

Person holding a cell phone with the Home Connect Plus app open. The interface shows the "Home" status with options for setting the brightness in the living room and operating the blinds in the modes: "Ventilate, Closed, Half and Shade".

In partnership with our customer, Residential IoT Services GmbH, a real game changer in the market segment of smart home applications has been created in just two years of development work: Home Connect Plus.

  • 30.000+

    person-days experience in the smart home sector

  • 2

    platforms: Android and iOS as native apps

  • 30+

    supported partners until release

  • 30.000+

    person-days experience in the smart home sector

  • 2

    platforms: Android and iOS as native apps

  • 30+

    supported partners until release

The “Automation” tab is open on a smartphone, in which the “Time to sleep” process is created. The automation is activated, is triggered by the time and influences the “roller shutters” and “thermostat” factors, which are shown in tiles.
Overview of various Home Connect Plus screens. Depending on the mode set, the user has the option of operating the door lock, controlling the vacuum cleaner or lawn mower robot or influencing the lighting, air filter or roller shutters.

An app for all Smart Homes

Home Connect Plus connects devices from different manufacturers and brings their access together in a single app. Even smart home beginners can use the app from the Robert Bosch subsidiary to connect, automate and centrally control various smart home devices and entire systems from different manufacturers. The interaction of the devices can be fully adapted to the personal needs and everyday situation of the user so that even with an increasing number of networked devices, the focus remains on the essentials. On command, the app can automatically adjust blinds, lullabies and lights so that parents can concentrate fully on putting their children to bed, to name just one example of the practical everyday benefits. Particular attention has been paid to simple and intuitive usability, so that all users, even those with no prior technical knowledge, can experience real support in everyday life.

Overview of various icons and a screen with the title “Home”, which show that various devices, such as a webcam and washing machine, can be controlled.
Helpful automations are quickly created according to the if-then principle and take over tasks and routines for the users. Important device functions can be operated via quick access to the personalized boards.

The project behind the app

In the course of the project work on Home Connect Plus, our UXMA team was able to call on the entire skill set in terms of software development and UX/UI design. The phrase “from zero to IFA in just five months” sums up the core challenge at the start of the project. Relying only on backend and design research, we completed the complete Android development and the design of the app in less than six months to a level of maturity that could be presented at the world's largest trade fair for consumer electronics, the IFA in Berlin. Thanks to executable main features as well as end-to-end integration, the visitors at the trade fair were able to control end devices and fully test automations. All on the basis of clean and tested code, which found its way into further use.

This successful sprint was made possible by establishing lean development processes in the project, an extremely agile mindset and a very pragmatic approach to design. When developing the app to market maturity, we also advised our client on improving the API and feature prioritization and programmed the iOS version of Home Connect Plus. We would like to thank the RIoT team for the trusting, successful collaboration and for the joint development of a pioneering, intelligent companion that makes people's everyday lives noticeably easier. A collegial thank you also goes to Mutabor Design GmbH for the professional collaboration in the context of the app illustrations.

This successful sprint was made possible by establishing lean development processes in the project, an extremely agile mindset and a very pragmatic approach to design. When developing the app to market maturity, we also advised our client on improving the API and feature prioritization and programmed the iOS version of Home Connect Plus. We would like to thank the RIoT team for the trusting, successful collaboration and for the joint development of a pioneering, intelligent companion that makes people's everyday lives noticeably easier. A collegial thank you also goes to Mutabor Design GmbH for the professional collaboration in the context of the app illustrations.

Developing software that supports people in their everyday lives and is user-centric in its thinking and design from start to finish: That’s the UXMA way.

Carolin Town Software Domain Lead / Authorized officer and UXMA project manager for this project

  • 30.000+

    person-days experience in the smart home sector

  • 2

    platforms: Android and iOS as native apps

  • 30+

    supported partners until release

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