The ZigBee Alliance announced it recently added 19 new members and, over the past year, has tripled its membership. Total membership now stands at 124 companies. As described in the December 21, 2004 RF Report, ZigBee technology is designed primarily for sensor networks but also can be used for home control and building automation networks. The technology uses wireless nodes that can act as repeaters, forming mesh networks that extend coverage well beyond the range of individual units.
Bob Heile, chairman of the ZigBee Alliance, summarized 2004 as "a very busy year for the Alliance, ending with our greatest milestone to date -- ratifying the ZigBee specification. We expect to see member companies begin shipping ZigBee-compliant products in 2005. Additionally, in 2005 Alliance members will continue testing to ensure all ZigBee-certified products are interoperable throughout residential and commercial applications."
The ZigBee Alliance will showcase its technology at an open house on March 2 in San Francisco. For more information or to register visit http://www.zigbee.org/en/events/membermeetingfeb2005.asp.
