Tiny Sensors Run Forever (Almost)
From: Wired News - 09/06/2005
By: Joanna Glasner

Several technologies for transmitting information wirelessly over unlicensed
radio spectrum are targeting consumers, but supporters of the ZigBee
specification say the technology is better than rivals such as radio
frequency identification (RFID) and Wi-Fi in certain instances thanks to its
low power consumption. One such instance is the deployment of large sensor
networks: Upcoming ZigBee products in this vein include Lusora's system for
monitoring elderly people, in which sensors peppered throughout the residence
can notify family members when problems or interruptions in daily routine are
detected. Meanwhile, Eaton Electrical's Home Heartbeat sensor network is
designed to watch parts of a home (electrical devices, water pipes, and so
forth) and take remedial action if problems crop up, as well as notify owners
if a device is unintentionally left on. ZigBee sensors boast a battery life
of three to five years. ZigBee Alliance Chairman Bob Heile cites power
efficiency and ease of mesh networking as the technology's chief selling
points, while analyst Joyce Putscher says ZigBee networks are more
advantageous than their wired counterparts in their simplicity of
construction and expandability. Putscher projects that ZigBee product
shipments will surpass 150 million units in two years, in a best-case
scenario. Analyst Erik Michielsen says putting ZigBee products in an
affordable, easy-to-install package will be the key factor in the
technology's commercial success. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.wired.com/news/business/0,1367,68700,00.html

Links:
Lusora
http://www.lusora.com 

ZigBee "Panic Button" Calls For Help
http://www.wsnupdate.com/2005/03/zigbee-panic-button-calls-for-help.html
http://www.usernomics.com/news/2005/02/zigbee-panic-button-calls-for-help.html
http://www.netstumbler.com/2005/02/21/zigbee_panic_button_calls_for_help/

Devices can monitor health, detect motion, track medicines
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2005/08/08/BUGCME40HG1.DTL&type=business

World technology: Home technology
http://www.ebusinessforum.com/index.asp?layout=rich_story&doc_id=7279