Smart thermostat company Tado has introduced new AI-driven features designed to enhance home heating efficiency. The AI Assist update expands on the existing Auto Assist capabilities by integrating advanced machine learning that aims to learn, predict, and optimize heating in real time.
The AI Assist feature is currently available in Europe and the UK for Tado X owners, with a subscription cost of £29.99 per year or £3.99 per month. Existing Auto Assist subscribers will receive this update automatically, while users of older Tado devices will not have access to the new AI features. According to Tado’s press release, the AI Assist includes several functionalities:
Adaptive Heating: This feature learns the specific heat-up and cool-down characteristics of each room and adjusts the control of Smart Radiator Thermostats to enhance both comfort and energy efficiency.
Preheat Before Arrival: Utilizing machine learning, Tado AI predicts users’ return times and adjusts heating accordingly to ensure the home is warm upon arrival.
Energy IQ: This function provides AI-driven insights into energy usage, helping users identify areas for smarter decision-making and potential savings.
Holiday Mode: Users can set their heating to align with their absence, ensuring a comfortable environment upon return while reducing unnecessary energy consumption.
While features like Energy IQ and Away Mode were previously part of the Auto Assist service, the new update may not represent a significant technological advancement. Other smart home brands, such as Nest, have offered similar functionalities without using the term “AI,” raising questions about the depth of Tado’s AI claims and whether these updates are a genuine innovation or a rebranding of existing features.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/783465/tado-x-ai-auto-assist-heating-update