This Pakistani startup offers solutions to differently-abled people
Smart Devices lets you control your home applainces through smartphones
The startup won the first ever IoT award at Telenor’s IoT expo last year. PHOTO: SMARTDEVICES
KARACHI:
Prominent tech companies worldwide have introduced products developed to assist differently-abled people overcome their day-to-day challenges. Now, entrepreneurs in Pakistan, too, have entered this niche.
Smart Devices is among the first few Pakistani startups set up to employ IoT (internet of things) systems. The award-winning startup offers products that allow people control their home appliances – from their smartphones and computers.
The company's CEO and founder, Abdul Ghaffar, shared with The Express Tribune his journey that started with a tragic incident, which led him to launch the venture.
You can now unlock your Toyota using your smartphone
The journey
“It was in 2014 when I went to see a friend following an accident,” says Ghaffar, explaining how it all began.
He found his friend, confined to his bed, in excruciating pain. "He couldn’t sleep because the lights and the AC were on, and he was unable to move and switch them off," says Ghaffar.
That was the moment he decided to come up with a solution for individuals in similar situations.
The products
Smart Devices has so far developed two products: Smart Hub and Smart Switch Board. Smart Hub serves as a central communication unit, which establishes a network of connecting devices, i.e. smartphone or a computer to the Smart Switch Board.
The Smart Switch Board replaces the traditional plug and socket, allowing any electrical appliance to be turned on or off remotely. The device features Wi-Fi functionality to accomplish this but supports manual usage as well.
The startup has designed dedicated Android and Chrome apps for its devices, as well as a cloud service, allowing smart devices to be in sync with different devices; thus, increasing accessibility.
Amazon Echo integration
Meanwhile, Ghaffar shares, Smart Devices is also working on an open Application programming interface (API) to control electrical appliances, such as Apple's Smart Watch.
Achievements
An app to keep track of crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hSr5h_Ly7Y
Prominent tech companies worldwide have introduced products developed to assist differently-abled people overcome their day-to-day challenges. Now, entrepreneurs in Pakistan, too, have entered this niche.
Smart Devices is among the first few Pakistani startups set up to employ IoT (internet of things) systems. The award-winning startup offers products that allow people control their home appliances – from their smartphones and computers.
The company's CEO and founder, Abdul Ghaffar, shared with The Express Tribune his journey that started with a tragic incident, which led him to launch the venture.
You can now unlock your Toyota using your smartphone
The journey
“It was in 2014 when I went to see a friend following an accident,” says Ghaffar, explaining how it all began.
He found his friend, confined to his bed, in excruciating pain. "He couldn’t sleep because the lights and the AC were on, and he was unable to move and switch them off," says Ghaffar.
That was the moment he decided to come up with a solution for individuals in similar situations.
The products
Smart Devices has so far developed two products: Smart Hub and Smart Switch Board. Smart Hub serves as a central communication unit, which establishes a network of connecting devices, i.e. smartphone or a computer to the Smart Switch Board.
The Smart Switch Board replaces the traditional plug and socket, allowing any electrical appliance to be turned on or off remotely. The device features Wi-Fi functionality to accomplish this but supports manual usage as well.
The startup has designed dedicated Android and Chrome apps for its devices, as well as a cloud service, allowing smart devices to be in sync with different devices; thus, increasing accessibility.
Amazon Echo integration
Meanwhile, Ghaffar shares, Smart Devices is also working on an open Application programming interface (API) to control electrical appliances, such as Apple's Smart Watch.
Achievements
An app to keep track of crime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hSr5h_Ly7Y