Technology pioneer CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ: CSRE) today announces the launch of a technically disruptive new Bluetooth® Smart solution designed to place the smartphone at the centre of the Internet of Things (IoT). CSR Mesh allows for an almost unlimited number of Bluetooth Smart enabled devices to be simply networked together and controlled directly from a single smartphone, tablet or PC for the first time.

The solution, which is optimised for smart home and IoT applications, combines a configuration and control protocol with CSR’s proven Bluetooth Smart devices, including CSR101x™ and CSR8811™. It will allow consumers to control any Bluetooth Smart enabled device in the home from wherever they are, including lighting, heating, appliances and security systems. Crucially for the consumer experience, solutions based on the protocol don’t require the complex setup, pairing, or use of an access device such as a router.
“Unlike other home automation connectivity solutions, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave, CSR Mesh ensures direct control from mobile devices anywhere in the home, because it doesn’t have a limited range or require a hub,” says Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President, Business Group at CSR. “CSR is committed to driving Internet of Things innovation. We believe this Bluetooth Smart solution will be a real game changer for developers because it means they don’t have to turn to proprietary solutions or add anything else to create products that give consumers what they want – complete home automation they can control from anywhere that ‘just works’.”

The CSR Mesh protocol uses Bluetooth Smart to send messages to other Bluetooth Smart devices in the network which in turn send them onward. Messages can be addressed to individual devices or groups of devices. It is also possible for devices to belong to more than one group. Control is enabled via standard Bluetooth Smart enabled appliances such as light switches, or via the majority of smartphones or tablets available today.

“As well as allowing control from a smartphone, CSR Mesh will give developers the opportunity to build intelligence into the network so devices can communicate directly with one another,” concludes Murray. “This will truly enable the future of the Internet of Things, meaning a consumer can automate their home so their lights come on when they enter a room, for example. CSR is already supporting a number of customers to launch products based on CSR Mesh and we’re looking forward to seeing how this solution kick starts the smart home market.”

To ensure developers can get products to market quickly, CSR will be releasing a development kit to customers in April. The kit will offer Android and iOS application source code as well as access to binary CSR Mesh libraries.

A lighting demo using CSR Mesh technology will be on show at Embedded World in Nüremberg Germany, 25 – 27 February 2014, Hall 4A, 4A-519.