Mercator Ikuü is a cloud-based platform with a range of products that utilise either Wi-Fi or Zigbee, There are different advantages to each (see ‘Why Choose Zigbee?’ below), but no matter which you choose, both Wi-Fi and Zigbee products will appear in the app and interact with each other in the same way. This means that you can have a mix of both Wi-Fi and Zigbee-based products working together in the Mercator Ikuü app, allowing products to interact with and inform the actions of other products. This way, you can enjoy the advantages of each, without having to navigate between different apps for different products. Learn more about the advantages of having all your products in the same app by viewing our posts on creating scenes or automation. Most Mercator Ikuü products are available in both Wi-Fi and Zigbee versions, so you can choose the version that suits your requirements best.

Why Choose Zigbee?

The Ikuü Zigbee range uses mesh technology to create a reliable, low-latency method of wireless communication. This means that products can operate from a greater range, and the connection will be more stable with fewer delays.

The Zigbee range offers a whole-of-home solution that is ideal for residential and commercial settings. The mesh technology is the best choice if you have multiple products, are looking to create an automation system for your entire home, or for commercial settings. Not only will these situations benefit from the greater range and stability, but Zigbee products are used with a hub, which allows for one-press pairing. This means that multiple products can be set up quickly and easily. By using a hub, it’s much easier to pair and control large numbers of products. There are two hub options in the range, which cater to both residential and commercial settings.

Zigbee is also ideal for areas where internet may be unreliable. Mesh technology allows for a more stable connection across all products, and there are some functions that can be used without an internet connection. These local control options make the setup process easier and allow you to operate your system without the frustration of unreliable internet.

Mercator Ikuü includes products that are Zigbee 3.0 compliant.

If you’re looking for a simple home automation system that’s easy to get started with and doesn’t require a hub or gateway, check out our Wi-Fi product range.

Not sure which protocol is for you or your customer? Click here to try our protocol selection tool.

Want to know more about the origins of Mercator Ikuü?

Our team began researching home automation in 2014. In that time, we have developed a complete system utilising IoT facilities to create the infrastructure for a complete cloud-based home automation platform. Our vision was to create an ecosystem where products across different electrical categories could interact to make a whole-of-home solution that could be easily configured based on lifestyle (with no IT degree required). In this way, having more products in the one app increased the utility of the system as one product was able to inform other products, i.e. a camera detects motion and turns a light on, creating a true home-automation experience compared to a myriad of disparate apps which can control a limited number of products and have limited interconnective value.

Our goal was to make an affordable, innovative system available to the mass market, which would benefit from the dynamic growth of the Mercator Ikuü system. Global infrastructure and technological acceptance have evolved since that initial R&D exercise, and we are now able to provide the type of system we originally envisaged.

Based on key research, we have taken the time to create a system that meets the needs of those looking to embrace home automation technology:

• Affordable: Mercator Ikuü has limited the premium that customers pay for smart technology, producing products that are affordable while maintaining extensive, high-level functionality.
• Secure: To ensure that people feel confident using our system, we utilise high-level encryption and security mechanisms, coupled with a European-based server to mitigate the risk of security breaches.
• Interconnected: We provide a broad range of products that can all be accessed through a single app. Many other smart home products and services lack interconnectivity, which limits the value to the customer and prevents a whole-of-home solution.
• Australian owned, designed, operated and supported: Our Australian team have worked on the Mercator Ikuü system at all levels of development, and provide local support to customers.

For more information about the benefits of Zigbee for trade click here.