Ron Martino, NXP executive vice president and chief sales officer, said the facility showcases NXP’s commitment to growth and innovation in Austin.
The gist
NXP’s new lab resembles a fully furnished home, complete with an entryway, garage, kitchen, bedroom, fitness room and media center all equipped with smart-home technology.
For example, the entryway doors are unlocked using new face recognition and fingerprint technology. The bedroom features a queen-size bed that can measure the user's heart rate and control the temperature while they're sleeping.
Voice assistant technology in every room allows users to control lights, blinds, televisions and more through voice commands. Unlike cloud-based systems like Alexa or Google Nest, NXP's is developing technology that operates on a local neural processing unit NXP officials say will enhance speed and reliability, particularly during internet outages.
How it works
NXP collaborates with companies such as Sleep Number and Honeywell to integrate its microchip technology into everyday products.
“We aren't in the business of selling a thermostat,” Martino said. “But we're enabling everyone who builds thermostats to differentiate their products.”
Several NXP smart-home products are already available for purchase, and other inventions will require product testing over the coming years.
What they’re saying
“We have built a truly unique space in Austin that is designed from the ground up on fostering joint collaboration and innovation—this Smart Home lab truly exemplifies our vision of bringing bright minds together to pioneer new breakthrough technologies for a world that is better, safer and more secure,” said Lars Reger, executive vice president and chief technology officer.
