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DoorBot: A Wifi Enabled Smart Doorbell

DoorBot-LogoSome time ago I installed an analog DoorBell Fone to replace our ancient, traditional doorbell. I described that project hereabouts at the time.

At the time I considered some SIP enabled solutions as well as some video capable gear. In the end budget pressure constrained my decision to the very old skool DoorBell Fone.

Sadly, that device was not long lived. Less than a year later it failed. I now wish that I had gone the extra cost for the Algo Solutions SIP door phone.

Recently I read about DoorBot, a start-up seeking funding to produce a different kind of door phone. While the companies logo reminds me a lot of Johnny Five or Wall-E, the product seems impressive. It’s very like the Gigaset HC450 DECT Door Phone, although it’s based upon Wifi instead of DECT.

Oh, yes. It’s video capable. That was a nicety that I didn’t think that I could afford. At least not given the previous range of products being offered.

DoorBot

Edison Junior, the company behind DoorBot is using Christie Street to raise funds for the initial production run. The asking price is $169 for the DoorBot alone, or $319 for DoorBot and Lockitron combination. The initial deliveries are slated for July 2013.

I emailed the company to inquire about the underlying signaling. Since the device is Android-based I am hopeful that it leverages standards based signaling. That might open it up to integration with SIP devices, or perhaps XMPP based systems.

I like the DoorBot. In fact, I like it enough to have ordered one. At $169 it’s considerably cheaper than the lame, analog Doorbell Fone.

DoorBot — The Wi-Fi Enabled “Smart” Doorbell from Christie Street on Vimeo.Recently I read about DoorBot, a start-up seeking funding to produce a different kind of door phone. While the companies logo reminds me a lot of Johnny Five or Wall-E, the product seems impressive. It’s very like the Gigaset HC450 DECT Door Phone, although it’s based upon Wifi instead of DECT.

Oh, yes. It’s video capable. That was a nicety that I didn’t thing that I could afford. At least not given the previous range of products being offered.

DoorBot

Edison Junior, the company behind DoorBot is using Christie Street to raise funds for the initial production run. The asking price is $169 for the DoorBot alone, or $319 for DoorBot and Lockitron combination. The initial deliveries are slated for July 2013.

I emailed the company to inquire about the underlying signaling. Since the device is Android-based I am hopeful that it leverages standards based signaling. That might open it up to integration with SIP devices, or perhaps XMPP based systems.

I like the DoorBot. In fact, I like it enough to have ordered one. At $169 it’s considerably cheaper than the lame, analog Doorbell Fone.

DoorBot — The Wi-Fi Enabled “Smart” Doorbell from Christie Street on Vimeo.

This Post Has 3 Comments
  1. Very interesting! I think you will really enjoy it. I wonder if it is possible to view video without being called.

    Seems foolproof because they are even willing to replace a stolen unit. Since it connects to their network, I’m sure they would just disable it rendering it practically useless. 

    Obviously it may be hard to rely on this all the time when such outages like this past Christmas eve took several large services down. The average user may not use it but at one location, anyway.

    I’m definitely not interested in the lockitron. Wardriving is bad enough but now if people get in your network, they can install this app and unlock you door from a few yards away. Phone’s get misplaced and could end up in the wrong hands. Yes, you can disable the phone on the website but its not like losing a key.
    I’m not surprised its using arduino, though.

    1. They have already responded to my inquiry. I hope to speak to one of the founders in the next few days.

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