AGL invests $12.5m into smart lock maker August

Energy utility AGL has made a strategic US$10 million (A$12.5 million) investment in a US smart home lock maker, partially to understand broader opportunities in the connected home market.

AGL said it had invested in August Home, which is best known for its smart door locks and doorbell camera technology that operate using the proximity of your smartphone.

Elisabeth Brinton, executive general manager of new energy:

“We know the connected home is a major area of interest for our customers and we’re focused on how we can give our customers greater control of their energy management,”

Unless AGL know something about a new product that August are working on that we don’t, this is one of the longest bows to draw I’ve heard. Other than listening to Trump say anything everyday that is.

August, best known for their Smart Lock, don’t even ship their products to Australia for a start. They’re great, they should be sold here and I’ve had one for years now, but it seems strange to invest in a company that doesn’t make a product sold in your country.

Here’s hoping they’re developing some new energy monitoring device (and not just a simple plug in the wall that monitors current pull) and they’re bringing it and their entire product line to Australia soon.

 

Source: AGL invests $12.5m into smart lock start-up – Hardware – iTnews