The ZigBee Alliance, a non-profit association of companies creating, maintaining and delivering open, global standards for the low-power wireless Internet of Things (IoT), announced that Midea Group has joined the ZigBee Alliance at the Promoter level and will be accepting a seat on its Board of Directors. The addition reflects the Alliance’s growing influence and engagement in China, and among manufacturers focused on the smart appliance product category.
Midea Group is one of the most valuable and recognized electronics brands in China, known for affordable, high-quality consumer appliances and air conditioning systems. Established in 1968, Midea has operations around the world with more than 126,000 employees. The company is an early adopter of ZigBee Alliance technologies for home appliances that deliver “smart” functionality, a rapidly emerging product category in the connected home.
“Midea is dedicated to creating innovative products and open smart life service operating platforms that support a comfortable lifestyle,” said Dr. Ethan Xue, Director of Product Strategy and Operations, Midea Group. “ZigBee Alliance technologies are the leading low-power wireless IoT communications technologies worldwide with millions of deployed devices across every conceivable application space, including appliances. Participating in the Alliance at the Promoter and Board levels allows us to invest further in our goals by working with other major brand leaders and technologists to design and deliver around the promise of the Internet of Things, which is the future of consumer products.”
“As an extremely influential brand that understands what consumers want and expect in connected appliances and home systems, Midea adds to the leadership strength of our Board and the momentum of the overall Alliance,” said Tobin Richardson, ZigBee Alliance president and CEO. “Their tremendous success across various regions and continents will help steer efforts within our globally diverse organization.”
Midea Group joins Comcast Cable, Itron Inc., The Kroger Co., Landis+Gyr, Legrand Group, NXP Semiconductors, Philips, Schneider Electric, Silicon Labs, SmartThings, Texas Instruments and Wulian on the ZigBee Alliance Board of Directors.
“Interest in the smart home continues to gain traction and as an industry it is critical to develop products that resonate with consumers while at the same time connect with each other to ensure a satisfying experience for the end user,” said John E. Osborne II, chairman of the board for the ZigBee Alliance and general manager, The Kroger Co. R&D. “Midea’s expertise in product design and the Alliance’s leadership in the wireless IoT movement makes for good synergy and opportunity. We’re especially pleased to have Midea join our Board of Directors.”
Filed Under: Appliance engineering + home automation, M2M (machine to machine)
