Rosie home control modular system integrates it all

Though Savant Systems' "Rosie" home control system is in pre-beta right now, its aims for the home automation and media server markets are still quite lofty, and the team seems to have the chops to back it up. The modular system is centered around the Rosie Server, which features dual Xeon 5100 procs, 32GB of DDR RAM and 2.25TB of RAID 5 storage. It's all controlled from an interesting touchwheel remote (that weird bowl-ish thing in the picture above) and various touchpanels, and can pipe high quality audio, 1080p video, and home automation commands throughout your home. Setup is purportedly 1/100th of the time of competing solutions, thanks to some fancy modular design. Savant is planning several packages for its system, including the Rosie Control, which includes a full complement of home control serial, GPIO and IR ports; the Rosie Video Switch, which packages the Rosie Control with an 8 x 8 HDMI switch; the Rosie Audio, which features iTunes-based media management and all sorts of high-end audio specs and outputs; and the Rosie Combo which throws it all together in one, and we're sure will cost your life savings. No word on when this is due or what it'll cost, but we'll be keeping an eye out for sure.

[Ian Jardine @ Apr 30th 2007 7:26PM]

When I see the words "home controller" I gete excited and then let down. Yes this unit has nice features, but I want an all-in-one unit which also acts as the center for my new home security system. The controlling of infra-red motion detectors and glass breaking mics etc would not use very much capacity and make the double purchase so much more useful. ANd make signing the check less hard because it kills 2 birds with one stone and all that.

[Lucio @ Apr 30th 2007 7:51PM]

If that's the case, you should look into the Hai Omni Pro series. Check out their site, www.homeauto.com I install these bad boys, and they're awesome. Security, home automation, lighting control and everything that is constantly upgradeable. Basically the possibilities are as endless as your creativity.

[Mr E @ Apr 30th 2007 7:57PM]

I'm looking for the same thing. The closest that I've found, at a reasonable cost, is Lagotek.

www.lagotek.com

[josh @ May 1st 2007 12:59AM]

www.control4.com
monster is doing this with their project "Einstein"
www.crestron.com
and my fav: www.amx.com

[Ian Jardine @ May 1st 2007 11:25AM]

Thanks for the input guys.
Keep it rolling:)
During a refurbishment of my home ground floor I ripped out the very old security system. I had an estimate of around $4,500.00 from a professional company, but as this stuff isn't all leading edge I don't see why it should cost that much.
Now if it took over functions like being a whole house server and conmtroller as well as basic security stuff then it would bewcome a more viable proposition.
Thanks again for the leads I WILL be following up on them.

[fitinferno @ Apr 30th 2007 7:29PM]

All the above says to me is:

I, for one, welcome our new home managing computer overlords.

Lol, seriously I can imagine the horror movie that comes out from the renegade home-computer system that systematically locks its users in their houses and plays some horrible Justin Timberlake song until their eardrums burst and they bleed out...and then in the silence of their newly found deafness systematically hunts and eliminates them only for that one last couple to live, aww, happily after ever despite the gore-fest that preceded...

[Pete @ Apr 30th 2007 7:36PM]

Ian--

Plutohome is an open source home control system that has a pretty flexible interface for doing everything from media center functionality to Zwave to security system interface. The software is still fairly rough, but it's got a lot of potential, and well, it's free if you bring your own hardware.

http://www.plutohome.com.

[Eric @ Apr 30th 2007 7:42PM]

I think the specs on these setups, not to mention the designs, look pretty damn sweet. Touchpanels galore, along with some other interesting remotes. They've got more designs at their website too.

I would be biased though, I'm starting an internship at Savant Systems in 2 weeks. Awesome to see them on Engadget, I didn't even know the specs in their hardware before now. These guys look awesome, I can't wait to get there and see what else they're working on :x

[Chuckles McGee @ Apr 30th 2007 9:21PM]

Yeah, I'm sure 32 gigs of RAM and 2.25 TB of hard drives add a wee bit to the bottom line.

[Jacquester @ Apr 30th 2007 10:35PM]

Is it just me or all this hardware is simply overkill. Didn't they launch the first manned spaceship with an 8086 proc and 640kb or memory?

[Eric @ Apr 30th 2007 10:52PM]

I don't believe the first manned spaceship streamed multiple 1080p signals.

[Shane @ Apr 30th 2007 11:55PM]

Looks like a glorified AMX or Crestron control system like you would see in high end home theater installs, board rooms, video conference rooms, etc. Can someone enlighten me as to how this is any different?

[Eric @ May 1st 2007 12:34AM]

Well I know one of their angles is modularity. In the article, it discusses taking 1/100th of the time to set up the systems as opposed to all the other products currently on the market.

[steve @ May 1st 2007 7:39AM]

if u want security/automation in one box, checkout http://www.cytech-technology.com/ (comfort).

There's no way i'd trust my home security to a wintel box!

[Naman @ May 1st 2007 11:51AM]

They gotta change the name. I keep expecting Rosie O'Donnell's face to show up on the control panel. Gag!!

[Marcus @ May 1st 2007 11:58AM]

Ian,

I would suggest that you check out the M1Gold made by ELKProducts. They have teh best and most cost effective (although still not cheap) home security and control system. I installed it in two homes and it works great. If you are a do it yourself kinda guy then you shold be able to handle the install and programming. There are no companies out there that do a good job of security AND home automation with the high end touch sceens etc. AMX, Crestron and Savant all can connect into the Elk system (since their serial protocol is published) and access all the system features etc. The difference that Savant brings to teh table is that you don't need an army of programmers to make the system work, for one, AND you can easily customize your touch panel graphics without again hiring a programmer AND graphics designer to make it happen.

Good Luck and check out Elk (www.elkproducts.com)

M.A.

[Vince @ May 1st 2007 12:11PM]

Ian, If your looking to go the Do It Yourself Route, also be sure to check out Cinemar's Main Lobby: http://www.cinemaronline.com

They have modules for most of the popular A/V gear, and it's constantly being updated by a great team. I have set up several of these systems and it's been working good so far.

--

Anyone have more info on the software, Blueprint, that is used to design a Savant System? I'm curious to see just how easy it is to lay out some buttons and assign functions to them. A lot of times when they claim it's 100 times easier to setup, it's usually just super simplified and not very customizable, sort of the opposite of what I need.

If I'm reading this correctly, this is an Apple Based home Automation System... I bet if this takes off, Apple buys them out. I also hope this integrates with the iPhone somehow as that would make a killer wireless touchpanel.