This week’s Smart Living roundup features a smart home system invading the U.K., a smart light that brings the sun inside your home, and a smart helmet maker that raised $1.1 million in funding.

Panasonic Smart Home lands in U.K.

Panasonic Corp. announced the launch of its complete home networking system for consumers in the U.K.

The system consists of solutions that will allow consumers to remotely control and monitor their home and property with the use of their mobile device. Panasonic’s Smart Home system runs DECT ULE technology, which allows devices to be connected to the home hub via one-push pairing.

Connected devices can be turned on or off remotely once it has been linked to the home hub, and cameras can serve as two-way communication devices. The system also includes motion sensors which can be used to automate lights via the ‘rule-builder’ in the companion app. If you’re taking a trip, you can create rules that would automate lights to turn on or off so it would appear that your home is occupied to deter break-ins.

Because the system uses DECT ULE, this should help curb hacker attacks as the devices won’t show up when searching for WiFi networks. As for break-ins, the signal works reliably over distances of up to 300m which means you can place motion sensors in the shed, garage or outbuildings and be alerted when it gets triggered.

The Panasonic Smart Home system will be available for purchase starting July 17 on Currys website, and are immediately available directly from Panasonic’s eShop.

Fusar raises $1.1m in seed funding

Fusar Technologies, Inc. announced that it has raised $1.1 million in a seed funding round with the help of leading equity crowdfunding platform SeedInvest. Others who participated in the round include the Jumpstart NJ Angel Network, Socialatom Ventures, the Chi Fan Group, and Casabona Ventures.

The funding will be used to complete Fusar’s product engineering and get ready for the production of its smart, connected motorcycle helmet.

Fusar was founded by CEO Ryan Shearman following his near-fatal accident when his motorcycle was rear-ended by another vehicle. The incident inspired Shearman to create a helmet that utilizes mobile technology to provide advanced collision avoidance and other safety features to his fellow motorcycle riders. In March 2014, the company was accepted into the 2014 TechLaunch accelerator program, where Fusar’s executive team fine-tuned its product and business model and attracted investors.

Fusar’s patent-pending system has navigation and communication features that allow the wearer to navigate the road, avoid collisions and receive more immediate help when accidents do occur; integrated front and rear video cameras; and a range of sensors that eliminate the need for bulky, external devices like action cameras and communication devices that are often dangerously mounted to the outside of traditional motorcycle helmets.

Silk smart bulb

A new smart bulb project is currently on Kickstarter, but it’s unlike any other smart bulb you’ve seen before. Called Silk, the smart bulb automatically adjusts its brightness and temperature throughout the day so you can feel energized in the mornings and be ready to sleep at night. It mimics the position of the sun and conditions your body to feel relaxed and ready for bed at the end of the day.

Another interesting feature of Silk is the nClick, a feature that allows users to program their light switch without having to install any new hardware. With the use of the Silk app, users can program actions of the smart bulb if the light switch is flipped once, twice or trice. If you flip the switch once, you turn the bulb on or off; flipping it twice will dim the light. You can also use the app to change and control the bulb’s brightness, temperature, on/off functions and transition time period.

Users can also use the app to make personalized schedules or set zones to meet their needs. For $99, you can help back the project on Kickstarter, as well as receive three Silk bulbs and a bridge, plus additional bulbs only cost $25 each.

Image source: Panasonic Corp.