- Date: 2012
- Owned and developed by: CISIUM, Inc.
- Customers: General public
- Creators: Raúl Bartolomé and an engineering team
- Raúl’s contribution: Engineering manager and chief engineer
- Market: Consumer electronics / smart home
- Product category: Home automation
In 2012, Raúl Bartolomé and CISIUM, Inc. developed a prototype home automation system built entirely on Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11). Unlike other solutions of the time, which relied on proprietary wireless protocols or ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4), CISIUM’s approach leveraged standard Wi-Fi infrastructure already present in homes — routers, access points, and smartphones — to deliver a simpler and more accessible solution.
Principles of the System
The design philosophy of the system emphasized:
- Ease of use for people without technical backgrounds
- No technician required for installation
- Full compatibility with standard Wi-Fi devices
- Leverage of existing IT infrastructure
- Smartphone and tablet support
- Integration of third-party Wi-Fi devices
- Affordability and scalability
This approach anticipated the mainstream adoption of smart home devices, long before today’s IoT ecosystems became commonplace.
Technical Description
The system architecture combined several key components:
- FlyPort and FlyPort Nest modules: At the core of each node, integrating a Microchip PIC24FJ256 microcontroller with a Microchip MRF24WB0MA Wi-Fi module. These nodes could read inputs (switches, sensors, potentiometers) and activate outputs (relays, LEDs, actuators).
- D-Link Wi-Fi cameras: Provided visual feedback of the home environment. Rather than reinventing cameras, the system leveraged existing affordable consumer products.
- Wi-Fi router: Standard router for device communication. FlyPort also supported ad hoc mode, allowing direct device-to-device connections without an access point.
- PC-based web server: Hosted the user interface, which could also be deployed on a standard cloud hosting service.
Through the web interface, users could monitor and control devices, view live video from cameras, and manage the automation network remotely.
Open Source and Open Hardware
A unique feature of this project was its open-source philosophy. CISIUM provided manuals, firmware, web server code, and demonstration videos to encourage further development by the community. This transparency reflected a strong belief in collaborative innovation.
Limitations and Future Work
The 2012 prototype was not intended as a ready-to-market product. Certain aspects required refinement, including:
- Final hardware design adapted to specific input/output needs
- A polished user interface for the web server
- Additional firmware features, such as PLC-like standalone behavior
Nevertheless, the project successfully demonstrated a proof of concept: a Wi-Fi-based, easy-to-deploy, open-source home automation system controlled entirely via a website.
Raúl’s Contribution
As engineering manager and chief engineer, Raúl led the system design, defined the architecture, and guided firmware development for FlyPort and the integration of the web controller. His work positioned CISIUM as an innovator in the early days of consumer IoT, bridging electronics, connectivity, and usability.
