The way technology has reshaped how we live has urged solutions provider to come up with smart ways to offer their consumers. Basic, traditional fixes no longer cut it; they have to be ingenious and cater to the current lifestyle of this generation. Now, how would you like to control the airflow in your house using your smartphone?
Let there be airflow
Thai cement and building material company Siam Cement Group offers a smart way to help homeowners in Southeast Asia beat the heat in their living space with the Active AIRflow System.
A welcome solution especially during the summer season, this home ventilation system utilizes SCG’s building materials with High Energy Efficiency labels, such as light-reflecting roof, ceiling insulations, and lightweight concrete, that’s controlled by smart technology.
“The Active AIRflow is an innovation we developed wherein we force the cool air to push the hot air away from your house using a ventilation system that can be controlled by your smartphone,” SCG brand cement and communication director Anuvat Chalermchai explained during a press briefing.
He continued, “Your smartphone can control how the system works and your preferred temperature; the system functions by itself.”
SCG also introduces its latest Well AIR system that facilitates ventilation and improves air quality inside the house using CO2, VOCs, and humidity sensors.
Thinking app partner
The 105-year-old company keeps up with the hyper-connected lifestyle of today’s homeowners with the Home Buddy Application, a smartphone app developed to cover end-to-end processes in home building, repair, or renovation, from consultation to purchasing.
“[Through the app] you can connect to a consultant online where you can discuss more about your home plan. You can also purchase products and schedule appointment with a contractor to track the progress of your project,” said Chalermchai.
“At the end, you can collect points from our loyalty program which you can use for discounts for your next purchase or exchange it for Starbucks or McDonald’s vouchers.”
While the app can be downloaded on iOS and Android devices, it is, at the moment, only available in Thailand. But the SCG official said they are currently working on making it available in other countries as well.
“‘I want what I want when I want it.’ That is the new lifestyle of consumers, and we have to meet that lifestyle,” emphasized Chalermchai.
Robot for aging parents
In addition to smart home solutions, SCG has also launched a mini robot companion, under its Eldercare Solutions segment, that allows elderly people to carry out activities by themselves safely and conveniently.
“I think Thailand is one of the countries that’s going to be an aging society very soon, just like a lot of modern countries,” opined Chalermchai. “A very important customer segment [of SCG] is the elderly.”
The highlight of the company’s Eldercare solutions is Din Saw (Thai word for pencil), a mini robot that functions as a companion of aging individuals, especially those with specific medical conditions. The robot has sensors to detect a person’s movement or lack of, and notifies family members or doctors through a mobile app in case it does not detect any movement for a certain period.
Din Saw can also track vital signs, store medical records, make a voice or video call, provide instructions for senior exercise routines, talk, sing songs, and play games with seniors.
“This companion robot can be a friend of your parents who stay home alone,” said Chalermchai.
Innovative solutions for better living
These three products are among the latest solutions SCG recently introduced at the six-day Architect Expo ‘18 in Bangkok, Thailand, where the firm welcomed over 400,000 visitors to its 670-square-meter booth, the largest in the annual exhibition.
Aside from solutions for homeowners, SCG also showcased concrete systems and other building material innovations developed to serve particular needs of contractors and other business partners.
“We have put together an impressive showcase of innovative building materials and living technology to reinforce the company’s position as the Cement Expert and Innovation Leader,” enthused Chalermchai.
SCG has launched its new innovative roof and tiles systems; ventilation ceilings; door and window systems; concrete products including pre-cast concrete system and decorative cement; and premium Italian porcelain and terrazzo tiles.
A lovely addition to any home is the new sanitary ware products from the Skive Collection, a collaboration between Cotto and Danish design studio Jacob Jensen Design. Featuring Scandinavian design, the wash basins and Convenic Slim Seats for toilets boast a clean and sleek look with thinner rims.
While these products are not yet available in the Philippines, Chalermchai said SCG can use Mariwasa Siam Ceramics, its local subsidiary, as a platform to introduce their products to the country.
“We have set up the SCG Marketing Philippines working together with Mariwasa to import a wide variety of products to the Philippine market,” said the executive.
SCG products currently available here at home are SCG Portland Cement Type 1, SCG Smartboard, SCG Smartwood, SCG Roofing, and SCG Insulation.
