Unwired Connect (UWC) is a R&D-driven company, specializing in providing distinctive hardware solutions for the rapidly growing IoT industry. With a range of cutting-edge drivers catering to diverse brands and offering unique lighting solutions, UWC is at the forefront of IoT innovation. In an exclusive interview with Smart Home World, the three Visionary Partners and Co-Founders Sri Balaji Varma, Nitesh Vasant and Varun Joshi share their insights on their exciting future vision for the Company.
Tell us about your journey and your future vision for Unwired Connect.
Unwired Connect, is a young and progressive company, spearheaded by three visionaries Nitesh Vasant, Co-Founder/CTO, Sri Balaji Varma, Co-Founder/COO and Varun Joshi, Co-Founder. We have embarked on a transformative journey within the realm of IoT hardware. We are dedicated to driving innovation and accessibility across the entire IoT value chain.
As a manifestation of our commitment to excellence, all our drivers are meticulously manufactured in-house, ensuring that we maintain complete control over the quality and performance of our products. Our current focus primarily revolves around the lighting segment. However, our vision extends far beyond this scope.
In short, we would say, `our future vision for Unwired Connect is multi-faceted’.
First and foremost, we aspire to continue being at the forefront of innovation within the IoT industry. This means staying platform-agnostic, ready to adapt and integrate with the latest and most relevant technologies. Presently, we have successfully integrated with prominent platforms such as Casambi, Tuya, Cosmicnode and Jio showcasing our versatility and adaptability in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Our overarching goal is to evolve as a comprehensive solution provider, moving beyond the traditional role of a manufacturer. We aim to design, develop and deliver not only cost-competitive products but also technologically superior solutions that cater to a wide range of IoT applications. By doing so, we strive to empower businesses and individuals alike to harness the full potential of IoT, providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed.
In short, UWC’s journey is marked by our commitment to quality, innovation and adaptability. Our future vision is to expand our reach and capabilities, providing cutting-edge IoT solutions to a diverse customer base. We are excited to be part of this dynamic and ever-evolving industry and we look forward to shaping the future of IoT together with our partners and clients.
Unwired Connect offers a range of products, including manufacturing-ready hardware, Smart Drivers, Controllers and Accessories. Could you detail each of these offerings and their specific applications?
Unwired Connect offers a comprehensive range of products tailored to meet the specific demands of indoor lighting and automation. Our offerings encompass a versatile line-up of solutions designed to enhance the quality of illumination and simplify control. Let’s delve into the specifics of each product category and their respective applications:
Constant Current Smart Drivers (6W – 40W): Our range of Constant Current smart drivers represents the backbone of our lighting solutions. These drivers are meticulously designed to ensure a stable and precise supply of power to a power spectrum ranging from 6W to 40W making them suitable for a wide array of indoor lighting applications. These drivers are essential for ensuring optimal performance and longevity of your lighting installations.
Strip Light Controllers (1ch to 5ch): Here we offer a wide variety that empowers you with dynamic lighting control options. You can choose from a selection of controllers, each with distinct capabilities:
Dimmable: Achieve the perfect ambiance by adjusting the brightness of your strip lights.
Tunable: Control the colour temperature to create warm or cool lighting as per your preference.
RGB: Infuse vibrant colours into your space with RGB controllers.
RGBWW: Enjoy the benefits of both colour customization and tuneable white lighting.
Smart Magnetic Track: Our unique smart magnetic track system is a standout offering. It provides individual control for each luminary, allowing you to create customised and dynamic lighting scenes. This feature sets us apart from conventional magnetic track solutions.
Peripheral Accessories: Recognizing the need for a comprehensive ecosystem, we’ve introduced a range of peripheral accessories to enhance your automation experience. Our accessories include:
BLE Mesh Hand Remotes: These remotes offer convenient and hands-on control over your lighting and automation systems.
Scene Switch: Create and activate custom lighting scenes with ease, adding an extra layer of personalization to your space.
Gateway and IR Blaster: These devices expand your automation capabilities by allowing you to control IR devices like TVs, Audio-Visual equipment, Fans, and Air Conditioners. You can operate these devices through our App, Voice Commands, or Hand Remote, providing a seamless and integrated indoor automation experience.
In short, we would say our products are strategically curated to meet the diverse needs of indoor lighting and automation. From precise power supply with our Constant Current Smart Drivers to dynamic lighting control with our Strip Light Controllers, and even the ability to control IR devices through the IR blaster, our products offer a complete indoor automation solution. Our commitment to quality and innovation ensures that your lighting and automation requirements are not only met but exceeded.
Could you guide us through the step-by-step process of creating an IoT solution from concept to implementation?
Step 1: Define Your IoT Solution’s Concept: The journey begins with a clear and well-defined concept. This initial phase involves defining the scope of the IoT solution, including the target application, desired features and expected outcomes.
Step 2: Research and Development (R&D): Unwired Connect’s commitment to research and development is pivotal. We invest in cutting-edge technologies and innovation to create hardware solutions that are both high-quality and versatile. During this phase, our R&D team explores the latest trends and integrates various wireless protocols, ensuring that our hardware is at the forefront of IoT technology.
Step 3: Product Design and Development: Our experienced design and development teams work in tandem to create smart hardware products. This phase involves designing, prototyping, and testing to ensure the product’s functionality, reliability, and performance.
Step 4: Integration with IoT Platforms: We pride ourselves on being platform-agnostic, which means our products seamlessly integrate with a wide range of IoT platforms, including Casambi, Tuya, Cosmicnode, and Jio. We work diligently to ensure that our hardware is compatible with these platforms, providing clients with flexibility and choice.
Step 5: Quality Assurance and Testing: Quality is non-negotiable for us. Before any product reaches our clients, it undergoes rigorous testing, both on the hardware and software levels. We guarantee that our clients receive a dependable and worry-free product that meets the highest industry standards.
Step 6: User Training and Support: Unwired Connect believes in empowering our clients. We offer comprehensive training, both Online and Onsite, to enable our clients’ technical support personnel to efficiently commission and program our products. This step ensures that our clients can maximize the potential of our IoT solutions.
Step 7: Custom Solutions and Scalability: Unwired Connect is not just a manufacturer; we’re a solution provider. If an IoT project demands a unique, customized solution, we can develop, design and manufacture cost-effective and tailored products. Our offerings are designed to be scalable, allowing your solution to grow with your needs.
Step 8: Implementation and Deployment: Our support does not end with product delivery. Unwired Connect is committed to assisting clients with the implementation and deployment of our IoT solutions. We provide guidance and support to ensure that the installation is smooth and efficient.
Step 9: Continuous Improvement and Future Vision: Unwired Connect remains dedicated to staying at the forefront of IoT innovation. Our future vision is to expand our product portfolio and continue to provide cost-competitive, technologically superior solutions that cater to a wide range of IoT applications.
Unwired Connect’s approach to creating an IoT solution involves a holistic journey from concept to implementation. We place a strong emphasis on collaboration, innovation, quality and support, ensuring that our clients have the best tools at their disposal to succeed in the world of IoT.
Unwired Connect is known for its IoT hardware in India. What sets your offerings apart from competitors in this industry?
Unwired Connect takes pride in being recognised as a leading name in the IoT hardware industry in India. What truly sets our offerings apart from competitors in this dynamic field is the combination of key differentiators:
Platform Agnosticism: Unwired Connect stands out as a platform-agnostic solution provider. Our IoT hardware seamlessly integrates with a wide range of platforms, including Casambi, Tuya, Cosmicnode, and Jio. This flexibility empowers our clients with the freedom to choose the IoT platform that best aligns with their unique project requirements, making Unwired Connect a versatile and adaptable partner.
In-House Research and Development: Innovation is at the core of our operations. We invest significantly in Research & Development, allowing us to create cutting-edge hardware solutions. By maintaining an in-house R&D team, we gain full control over the quality, performance, and functionality of our products, ensuring that they are at the forefront of IoT technology.
High-Quality and Versatile Hardware: Unwired Connect’s offerings encompass a diverse range of high-quality hardware, from Constant Current Smart Drivers to Strip Light Controllers and other smart accessories. These products cater to a broad spectrum of applications, offering versatility and reliability that meets and exceeds industry standards.
Product Customization: We understand that every IoT project is unique. Unwired Connect goes beyond being just a manufacturer; we can customize and our hardware solutions to address specific project needs. This level of customization and adaptability sets us apart, ensuring that our clients receive products that align perfectly with their objectives.
Rigorous Quality Assurance: Quality is a non-negotiable aspect of our offerings. Each product undergoes rigorous testing, encompassing both hardware and software, to guarantee that our clients receive worry-free and dependable solutions.
Comprehensive Training and Support: Unwired Connect is dedicated to client empowerment. We provide Online and Onsite training for our clients’ technical support personnel, enabling them to commission and program our products efficiently. Our commitment to support extends beyond the sale, ensuring that our clients can make the most of our IoT solutions.
Scalability and Future Vision: Unwired Connect’s hardware solutions are designed with scalability in mind, allowing clients to expand and grow their IoT projects as needed. Our future vision is to continually expand our product portfolio, offering cost-competitive and technologically superior solutions for a broad spectrum of IoT applications.
In essence, what distinguishes Unwired Connect in the IoT hardware industry is our unwavering commitment to quality, innovation, flexibility and client support. We take pride in being a reliable and forward-thinking partner for clients seeking to leverage the power of IoT in India and beyond.
How does your innovative IoT solution cater to a wide array of sectors, such as smart homes, hospitality, and businesses? Could you share notable projects you’ve undertaken in these domains?
Unwired Connect’s innovative IoT solutions are designed to cater to a diverse array of sectors, ranging from smart homes and hospitality to businesses. Our versatile hardware, platform-agnostic approach, and commitment to customization make it possible to address the unique needs of each sector
For Smart Homes, our IoT hardware plays a pivotal role in lighting control. Whether it’s creating the perfect ambiance with dimmable lights, adjusting colour temperatures, or adding dynamic RGB lighting, our solutions provide homeowners with the tools to personalize their living spaces. Unwired Connect’s products integrate seamlessly with voice assistants, mobile Apps, and other smart home devices, making it convenient for residents to control their lighting and other IoT devices.
For Hospitality segment, our IoT solutions enhance the guest experience by offering customizable and dynamic lighting in hotel rooms, lobbies and common areas. The ability to control lighting to match the mood or time of day adds a luxurious touch to the guest’s stay. Hospitality businesses benefit from the energy-saving features of our solutions, helping them reduce operational costs and adhere to sustainability goals. Our hardware’s ability to work with various platforms ensures hotels can provide tailored experiences to their guests, including app-based control and integration with existing hotel management systems. Unwired Connect’s hardware allows businesses to optimize their lighting systems for energy efficiency, reducing operational costs. Customizable lighting options, such as tunable white lighting, can improve the workplace environment, positively impacting employee productivity and well-being. Our solutions are designed to scale with businesses as they grow. Whether it’s a small office or a large corporate complex, our hardware is adaptable to various spaces.
Notable Projects:
Smart Home Projects: Unwired Connect has collaborated with homeowners and smart home enthusiasts on various projects. For instance, we’ve helped homeowners create dynamic and energy-efficient lighting in their residences, improving both comfort and energy savings.
Our solutions have been implemented in several hotels and resorts, including the integration of Casambi lighting controls to create immersive and guest-centric lighting experiences.
Businesses across industries, such as retail and office spaces, have benefited from our lighting solutions. We’ve undertaken projects that incorporate IoT lighting control for improved energy efficiency and workplace productivity.
Our innovative IoT solutions are adaptable and versatile, making them suitable for a wide array of sectors. Our platform-agnostic approach, commitment to customization, and track record of successful projects demonstrate our ability to meet the specific needs of smart homes, hospitality businesses, and various industries. We are continually driven to create solutions that enhance experiences and offer cost-effective and sustainable benefits to our clients.
In the rapidly evolving IoT landscape, how does your team stay ahead in terms of innovation and adaptation?
In the ever-evolving IoT landscape, Unwired Connect is committed to staying at the forefront of innovation and adaptation. Our ability to do so is a testament to our core values and practices:
Research and Development (R&D): Innovation begins with R&D. We maintain a dedicated in-house team focused on exploring emerging technologies, market trends, and customer needs. By constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, we ensure our solutions are aligned with the latest industry advancements.
Collaboration and Feedback: We foster a culture of collaboration, both internally and with our clients. Listening to our client’s feedback and understanding their evolving requirements is fundamental. Their insights guide us in adapting our products and services to meet the changing landscape of IoT.
Continuous Learning: Staying ahead requires continuous learning. Our team is encouraged to engage in ongoing training and professional development. This includes keeping abreast of new protocols, technologies, and industry best practices to maintain our innovative edge.
Industry Partnerships: We actively seek out partnerships and collaborations with industry leaders, associations, and technology providers. These partnerships provide us with access to new technologies and insights into industry developments.
Future Vision: Unwired Connect’s vision extends far beyond the present. We are committed to expanding our product portfolio to offer cost-competitive and technologically superior solutions across a broad spectrum of IoT applications. Our vision keeps us focused on future innovation.
In essence, our team’s ability to stay ahead in the IoT landscape is driven by our dedication to innovation, adaptability, and a client-centric approach. We believe that by remaining at the cutting edge of IoT technology, we can continue to offer our clients the best possible solutions and contribute to the ongoing advancement of the IoT industry.
Could you share with us the names of some prominent clients and the type of expertise you have provided to them?
Unwired Connect operates as a B2B entity, deeply engaged with the comprehensive spectrum of stakeholders within the realms of lighting and automation. We collaborate closely with System Integrators, Lighting Manufacturers, and OEM brand proprietors. As a young organization, we are proud to serve a growing client base, exceeding 103 clients both in India and on the international front.
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