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Home automation vendor Kopi presents a range of HomeKit-compatible home security devices at CES 2018-- including a central security hub, contact sensors, a smoke and CO sensor, and a motion sensor.

As one might imagine, the Kopi Security Hub is the central point for all accessories and devices. It connects to home networks via wifi, and can raise an alarm via built-in high-pitched speaker users can arm or disarm via NFC tags. Configuration and control comes through Kopi Connected app able to push status and notifications to users.

HomeKit compatibility allows users to control the Security Hub via Apple Home app. One can also add the hub and associated devices to set scenes and automations. The hub also integrates with Android devices via Google Home and Amazon Alexa.

Remember the Laundroid, the robot promising to make the folding of laundry a thing of the past seen back at CES 2016? Seven Dreamers returns to this year's CES with an updated prototype and a launch date.

The Laundroid continues to bear an ominous resemblance to HAL 9000, the malevolent AI from 2001: A Space Odyssey, even if Tokyo-based Seven Dreamers insists its purpose remains to simply fold the laundry. One will be able to dump clean and dry clothes in the cabinet-style machine, and before too long (or around 4 hours, depending on the size of the load) it will all be folded automatically.

The latest prototype has the capacity of 30-40 pieces of clothing (depending on size), and takes around 5 minutes to fold one item. More complex clothing, such as dress shirts, may require more time. Operation promises to be quiet at around 35db, and it even has two sorting modes-- either by category (towels, shirts, etc) or person/family member, since the Laundroid can register a piece of clothing with a particular user.

The Tetra is the kind of unusual home appliance one only tends to see at CES 2018-- a compact countertop number able to not only wash a handful of dishes, but also... cook seafood?

Developed by connected water heater maker Heatworks and design firm frog, the Tetra is designed to handle the dishwashing needs of 2-person household. As such, it is large enough to hold 10 plates or 12 pint glasses. It promises to use less water than handwashing, without the need to wait for enough dishes dishes to fill a larger dishwasher.

“Our research indicates that although the average household is comprised of 2.58 people, the modern dishwasher holds place settings for 13 or more,” Heatworks says. “This makes people believe that they either need to handwash their few dirty dishes-- which wastes 10 times more water than using a dishwasher-- or wait for a fill load to run a cycle. With Tetra, we hope to change people's mindset.”

CES 2018 sees Philips announce an update with a number of new features of the Hue companion iOS and Android app, together with the Hue Sync macOS and Windows 10 lighting control application.

Set to launch in Q2 2018, Hue app version 3.0 brings a UI redesign inspired by comments and feedback from current Hue users. Philips says 3.0 will "enhance" existing features, improve daily use through instant access to last used scenes and simple light group controls, and ensure seamless setup and integration of both Hue accessories and 3rd party devices.

Meanwhile Hue Sync is an MacOS and Windows 10 application allowing users to create scripts to sync Hue lighting with any game, movie or music played on the computer. Philips dubs such functionality "Hue Entertainment," and it includes partnerships with other companies, with the first being gaming accessory maker Razer.

Sigma Designs announces the 700-Series Z-Wave platform at CES 2018-- a chip the solution provider claims can squeeze 10 years of use from a single coin-cell battery.

As well as being low power, the 700-Series chip offers a range of over 90m, meaning it can cover multi-stories in a house and the far end of the yard. It carries all the hardware required, including integrated software tools, large memory and many peripherals, making it both efficient and future proof.

Security is also covered thanks to the Z-Wave Security 2 (S2) framework, while Z-Wave SmartStart pre-configures to the network before reaching the home.