ecobee
ecobee is a leader in smart home connect products, helping consumers conserve energy and improve comfort. As a proud partner of ecobee for many years, Tactile collaborated with the Toronto-based start-up to refine their ecosystem of smart, eco-friendly, home monitoring products.
ecobee’s unique “squircle” design language used in combination with simple UI adds warmth and approachability to what is typically a highly technical product, bridging the gap from complicated tech to simple everyday tools. Retaining this look and feel for ecobee’s current and future products was one of our main objectives.
A Smart Vision of the Home
The SmartCamera with voice control is our latest collaboration with ecobee and their next big evolution in cohesive home monitoring with 1080p resolution, 180-degree field of view, motion and person detection, night mode, integration with any smart home ecosystem, and the ability to view its livestream from anywhere via the ecobee mobile app. Key design elements we addressed: evolving the squircle form language, creating an approachable form, designing for manufacturability, and a multi-functional magnetic base. Its magnetic conical base
can either be placed on a surface or be zipped to the wall with a single screw. The SmartCamera’s versatile design blends into your home, but when needed, makes itself known with lights and sirens. When mounted on the wall, the built-in back gimbal, allows for an additional degree of freedom. For example, this allows you to aim the camera up or down a hallway. While many cameras use a ball-and-socket connection, the SmartCamera has the advantage of always keeping the view vertical and won’t get twisted diagonally relative to its base.
Intelligent Monitoring
Starting from scratch, our aim was to develop a camera that is intuitive from installation to everyday use. First, we optimized the internal tech with the goal of making the overall device smaller and less intrusive in your space. Then, through a rigorous combination of sketching, CAD, rendering, 3D-printing and user-research, we ensured a thoughtful design that we’re extremely proud of. ecobee’s patented Smart Focus allows the SmartCamera to recognize when a person enters the frame and adjusts to keep them front and
center as they move. From a wall to a shelf or table, the SmartCamera moves with you. Unlike other DIY security systems, the SmartCamera is the hub for ecobee’s home monitoring system, you don’t need a tower and a numeric code—it knows when you are home and turns off automatically. The SmartCamera can be used as a standalone product or can work harmoniously with ecobee’s SmartSensor for doors and windows.
Open and Close
ecobee’s SmartSensor for doors and windows detects door and window activity and occupancy for peace of mind. These blend into your space in a variety of
locations from doors to windows and communicate seamlessly with the home monitoring system. Their size and shape were built with you and yours in mind.
All in the Family
Our longstanding relationship with ecobee has allowed us to apply key design features across ecobee’s family of home monitoring system products. Whether used as standalone products or as part of
ecobee’s home monitoring system bundles, the products to live harmoniously in any environment while helping build a more sustainable world.
