Vera home automation system wants to be the greenest of them all

As the global economy curls up into the fetal position in the face of rising energy costs, we're as determined as anyone to be as energy efficient as possible -- as long as it's completely convenient, of course. Mi Casa Verde hopes to help with that with Vera, a Z-Wave / 802.11 hub with an exceptionally robust web interface for monitoring the energy usage of devices in your home as well as turning them off, setting up scenes, events and timers, and operating locks and security cameras. Since it's a low impact little device running a stripped down version of Linux, it operates on less power than desktop-based solutions -- a benefit that Mi Casa Verde claims makes it one of the few systems that save more power than they use. Its retail price will be competitive, with the box at $299 and a secure remote access gateway at $8 per month, but Mi Casa Verde is trying to entice would-be testers with a pre-street sale price of $149 and one year of free remote access service -- that option will be available through October 31st, with the final product available to conscientious tree-huggers (tech savvy and otherwise, the company hopes) everywhere on November 15th.

[Thanks, Dmitry]

[slab @ Oct 17th 2008 5:32PM]

That looks curiously like the Asus WL-500g: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833320030&Tpk=wl-500g

It runs OpenWRT like a champ.

[Lowest Ranked @ Oct 17th 2008 5:50PM]

OpenWRT? Is that like a wart removal surgery?

[Terc @ Oct 17th 2008 7:20PM]

Perhaps if they kept the Asus wifi router parts of the embeded linux, they could argue that it uses almost no extra power over a home with a wireless router. Since I run tomato [ http://www.polarcloud.com/tomato ] on one of these, I'd be very interested in the possibility of combining the two. Also, I doubt anyone with a home automation system wouldn't bother to have wifi, so it's almost certain it's worth the time of doing it right.

[Dan P @ Oct 17th 2008 5:33PM]

Uhm... can anyone say "re-branded ASUS WL-500G Premium"?

[zomg0t @ Oct 17th 2008 5:49PM]

slab can.

[john @ Oct 17th 2008 6:20PM]

Looks cool, but if you add up the cost of the modules it would take many years to recoup the cost. 200-500 for a thermostat, 50 bucks for an outlet. Still pretty costly.

[solarbuddy @ Oct 17th 2008 6:49PM]

I've used X-10 modules and a whole series of whole-house control systems dating back to 1982. I would be happy for a more-reliable two-way system but I'm not convinced Z-wave is it. And if it is, I already have a low-power whole-house backup server (and it does loads of other things) that draws about 30 watts. I could add z-wave with a USB dongle. Does anybody actually USE z-wave? Please explain why I should switch from my antique X-10 gear. . . . .

[Reader @ Oct 17th 2008 8:58PM]

After reading through the comments, I'm surprised I'm the only one that noticed this looks like the ASUS WL-500G.

[peruser @ Oct 18th 2008 9:49AM]

you're joking.. right?

[Reader @ Oct 18th 2008 7:45AM]

I knew I'd get a low rank, no one got it I guess (or it just wasn't funny).

[bender @ Oct 17th 2008 9:37PM]

the asus wl-500g has an antenna ;-D

[Ter Datassup @ Oct 17th 2008 9:45PM]

It would have better with Insteon..

[tetu81 @ Oct 17th 2008 10:25PM]

um, could that video be any rougher? yikes.

[muddyh2o @ Oct 18th 2008 2:18PM]

but the chick is kinda cute, sorta.

[new_to_zwave @ Oct 17th 2008 10:59PM]

I may be missing something - but it sure looks like they are offering it for $299, not $149 as the article suggests:

https://shop.micasaverde.com/index.php

[z-wave-fan @ Oct 18th 2008 12:28AM]

It is $149. Just check this out

http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Invitation_To_Enthusiasts#How_to_get_a_subsidized_Vera_.26_cost_analysis

[bootareen @ Oct 18th 2008 4:31AM]

looks like 2 unibody macbooks stacked up :)

[Ordeith @ Oct 18th 2008 10:06AM]

What is up with the monthly cost to access what is essentially a website that is contained within the hardware you purchased?

No thanks.

[Mi Casa Verde @ Oct 18th 2008 11:16PM]

>> What is up with the monthly cost to access what is essentially

Access to your own box is free, and you can do everything without the monthly service. The monthly service is optional, and includes bundled offerings like SMS text messages, automated off-site backup, a secure https:// gateway to act as a relay, etc. See: http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Find_Vera_Service_Cost

[vennessa @ Oct 21st 2008 4:18PM]

I think this is a great item especially for the environmentally conscious person. I for one would really love to have a device like this in my own home.

[Thom Cherryhomes @ Oct 24th 2008 11:49AM]

The unit is based on the Asus wl-500g router, yes. But it runs a hybrid distribution that contains some incredibly nice software. And it's open underneath.

-Thom

[aaron @ Oct 24th 2008 10:07PM]

They do say that it is based on OpenWRT, but the source code area doesn't yet work.. http://wiki.micasaverde.com/index.php/Source_Code

Wonder if it would be possible to roll a DIY version, maybe with a better router and definitely cheaper.

[z-wave-fan @ Oct 18th 2008 3:36PM]

Z-Wave is great but tightly closed technology. You can build your DYI version, but to work with Z-Wave you'll have to get a license.
My guess is that Vera will be cheaper.

[Duncan @ Nov 6th 2008 2:41AM]

I bought one for $149 just before Halloween. I don't have it yet, but am looking forward to playing with it.

[sean @ Dec 13th 2008 11:12AM]

please post an update of your experience with setup and use of the mi casa verde.

[Duncan @ Dec 14th 2008 11:29PM]

It's a good product. It had a few bugs originally but they are very quick at fixing them. I would recommend this product.