Chris Boross

Tyco will help with establishing widespread adoption of Thread Technology The Thread Group announced the addition of Somfy, the leader in home control products, and Tyco, the largest fire protection and security solutions company, to its Board of Directors. Thread is the new IP-based low-power wireless mesh networking protocol designed specifically for the home and the Thread Group is an industry alliance chartered with guiding the widespread adoption of Thread. The Thread Group now includes more than 80 member companies and nine board members, making it one of the fastest-growing alliances focused on the Internet of Things in the home. “Somfy and Tyco are world leaders in home comfort and safety and their active roles in the Thread Group speaks volumes about Thread’s potential,” said Chris Boross, president of the Thread Group and technical product marketing manager, Nest. “The two companies’ deep understanding of what consumers care about most in their homes will be an asset for the Thread Group as we continue to grow and define the connected home.” In their new sponsor-level roles, Somfy and Tyco join Thread’s seven founding members – ARM, Big Ass Fans, Freescale Semiconductor, Nest Labs, Samsung Electronics, Silicon Labs and Yale Security – in their goal of establishing the widespread adoption of Thread technology in the connected home. “At Somfy, we view joining the Thread Group’s board of directors as a great step forward in bringing safe, energy-saving solutions to people all over the world,” said Jean-Philippe Demaël, chairman of Somfy’s board. “Collaborating with the Thread Group members will enhance our ability to transform the living environment, and we believe that Thread will emerge as a leading technology within the connected home.” “The work of the Thread Group is closely aligned with our own business strategy and we are pleased to participate as a sponsor as well as a board member,” said Tim Myers, Intrusion director of product management, Tyco Security Products. “We have long been a supporter and active participant in a wide range of technology initiatives and alliances and we recognize the endeavors of the Thread Group in leveraging the best of existing proven open standards for unified IoT adoption.” As sponsor-level members, Somfy and Tyco can initiate and lead working groups, and will have approval rights over operating budgets and final deliverables.