Johnson Controls utilizes Microsoft technology to expand the smart thermostat category

JCI and Microsoft reveal GLAS, the first powerful smart thermostat featuring Cortana

Heating and cooling account for more than 40 percent of the energy use in a typical home and makes for the largest energy expense for most families. In the commercial building sector, the cost for energy is approximately 40 percent of their expenses.

The simple to use, elegant thermostat features a translucent OLED touchscreen display for you to control temperature, monitor indoor and outdoor air quality, check the weather and more so you can live and work comfortably in your home or office. When connected to the internet, GLAS continuously monitors air quality and intelligently adjust settings to help create a comfortable home environment. GLAS can also adapt to your schedule and save energy, blending seamlessly with a home or building’s environment when not in use. After adopting your preferred settings and routines, the thermostat can intelligently detect when you’re home and can adjust settings accordingly to keep your space comfortable and energy efficient.

To ensure GLAS stays up to date with important feature and security updates while providing a simple and interactive experience, Johnson Controls turned to Microsoft technologies to bring GLAS to life, including its most secure, trusted and cutting-edge IoT platform, and its personal assistant, Cortana.

Cortana is integrated into the thermostat so you can use your voice to easily adjust your space, in addition to understanding indoor and outdoor temperature and learning about the current weather forecast. For example, just say, “Hey Cortana, set the temperature to 68 degrees,” and GLAS will adjust the temperature in your space accordingly. Moreover, Cortana can help you manage your calendar, inform you of traffic, answer questions, and more, so all of this information is on display in one place to help jumpstart your day before leaving the door.  You can access GLAS on mobile, tablet or web browser, with mobile apps currently available to download for iOS and Android, and a Windows 10 app expected soon in the Microsoft Store.

GLAS is the latest personal device built using the Cortana Devices SDK, much like the Harmon Kardon Invoke with Cortana. Cortana delivers intelligence and deep integration with Microsoft’s suite of knowledge and productivity tools. Coupled with JCI’s deep experience in building automation and controls, GLAS will provide a seamless and interactive experience you can control with your voice or any of your connected devices to help ensure your home is comfortable.

Windows 10 IoT simplifies the process of bringing together all the pieces and technologies needed to make a full solution. JCI chose to build GLAS on Windows 10 IoT Core and utilize Azure IoT Hub device management capabilities, which was released with the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update. Because GLAS is powered by Windows 10 IoT Core and Azure IoT, the smart thermostat keeps getting better by delivering the latest feature and security software updates.

Johnson Controls utilizes Microsoft technology to expand the smart thermostat category

GLAS is available for pre-order in March 2018 at glas.johnsoncontrols.com. For more information, visit glas.johnsoncontrols.com.