Q&A With Eve Systems: Smarter Homes, Fewer Callbacks
May 8, 2025
Dr. Christian Baumeister, head of global sales and business development at Eve Systems, acquired by ABB in 2023, is joining us today to discuss how their approach to smart home solutions — based on open standards, privacy and future-proof technology — bears advantages for home builders.
With over 10 years of expertise in sales and business development in IoT/consumer electronics as well as the construction material industry in the U.S. and Europe, Christian shares valuable insights on how home builders can more easily exploit the potential of smart home solutions to provide additional value to homebuyers today.
Our question and answer session is transcribed below.
To start out our conversation, HomeSphere builders are familiar with ABB’s Residential Solutions (formerly GE Residential Solutions), however, they might not be as knowledgeable about Eve Systems, an ABB subsidiary. Could you please help introduce Eve to those who may not know much about it?
Baumeister: As a leading smart home device maker, Eve Systems has been at the forefront of innovation, particularly with its commitment to privacy and cutting-edge connectivity technologies like Thread and Matter. Recently acquired by ABB, Eve continues to push boundaries in the smart home sector.
Working with major platforms like Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung, Eve delivers seamless, secure experiences with smart outlets, switches, sensors and shading solutions. Eve devices integrate seamlessly, offering unparalleled flexibility and reliability while keeping privacy at the core — all with no subscription.
And what kinds of rebate-eligible products does Eve offer to HomeSphere builders and their contractors?
Baumeister: We offer packages of smart outlets, switches, sensors, a Samsung SmartThings starter pack, two room starter packs as well as additional devices and packages that we sell directly through Eve with special pricing for HomeSphere builders and their contractors. These products and are also eligible for rebate through the HomeSphere program for single and multifamily builders. We plan to add more products soon. Visit our Eve Systems brand page for more information.
Most of our builders install smart home technology that runs on Wi-Fi. If that works well for them and their homeowners, why should they consider a different way?
Baumeister: While Wi-Fi works well for many applications, Thread was specifically designed for smart home applications. It creates a self-healing, ultra-robust mesh network that is independent of Wi-Fi, which helps reduce the number of callbacks due to connectivity issues.
Additionally, Matter allows full flexibility for your customers, giving them the freedom to choose their preferred platform — whether it's Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Samsung SmartThings — this technology enables simultaneous control from multiple platforms (open system approach).
Furthermore, our devices operate without any cloud dependency, ensuring 100% privacy and eliminating the risk of devices stopping due to service shutdowns. This approach not only enhances user satisfaction but also provides peace of mind for home builders.
Eve Systems offers packages of smart outlets, switches, sensors, a Samsung SmartThings starter pack, two room starter packs as well as additional devices and packages that are sold directly through Eve and are also eligible for rebate through the HomeSphere program. Visit their Eve Systems brand page for more information.
Nowadays, many homeowners are — and reasonably so — concerned with privacy. We’re aware that Eve Systems is renowned for its 100% privacy approach. Can you elaborate on how this philosophy impacts your products and user experience?
Baumeister: At Eve, we believe that privacy is paramount. Our devices, such as the new Eve Dimmer Switch, operate without any registration or subscription, cloud dependency, or tracking, ensuring that user data remains entirely local and secure.
This commitment to privacy aligns with initiatives like the upcoming Cyber Trust Mark, which aims to ensure the security and reliability of smart home devices. We are fully aligned with the goals of this initiative, providing home builders with the assurance that they won't receive callbacks from customers about cybersecurity issues.
Our focus on privacy and security allows users to enjoy a seamless smart home experience without worrying about their personal data being exposed or processed remotely.
So many smart devices involve burdensome subscriptions and fees. We were excited to discover that Eve offers a full feature set without requiring subscriptions. How does this strategy benefit homeowners?
Baumeister: By providing all features without subscriptions, we empower our customers to enjoy the full potential of their smart home devices, such as the Eve Energy Outlet, without additional costs or recurring fees. This approach not only enhances user satisfaction but also aligns with our philosophy of delivering value upfront, rather than through ongoing payments. Our customers can focus on enjoying their smart home experience without financial surprises down the line.
Eve has been an early adopter of both Thread, a network protocol designed from scratch for smart home applications, and Matter, the connectivity standard jointly developed by the entire smart home industry. What drove this strategic decision?
Baumeister: We recognized early on that Thread and Matter would revolutionize the smart home landscape by offering interoperability and future-proof connectivity. By embracing these technologies, we position our products for seamless integration across different platforms (open system approach), ensuring that our customers can enjoy a cohesive smart home experience regardless of their preferred ecosystem.
Our commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction drove us to be among the first to integrate these cutting-edge technologies into our devices, such as the Eve Energy smart plug and Eve Motion sensor.
Historically, Eve has been closely associated with Apple Home. How has the introduction of Matter impacted Eve's brand identity and product lineup?
Baumeister: While we have a strong history with Apple Home, the introduction of Matter has expanded our reach and compatibility. Matter allows our devices, including the new Eve Dimmer Switch, to work seamlessly across multiple platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings, in addition to Apple Home.
This shift has not altered our commitment to the Apple look and feel but has rather broadened our appeal to a wider audience. Our devices still maintain the sleek design and user-friendly interface that Eve is known for, now with the added benefit of cross-platform compatibility.
On smarter home, fewer callbacks, consider Thread over Wi-Fi:
"While Wi-Fi works well for many applications, Thread was specifically designed for smart home applications. It creates a self-healing, ultra-robust mesh network that is independent of Wi-Fi, which helps reduce the number of callbacks due to connectivity issues."
Eve's priority on privacy and security:
"Our devices operate without any registration or subscription, cloud dependency, or tracking, ensuring that user data remains entirely local and secure. Our focus on privacy and security allows users to enjoy a seamless smart home experience without worrying about their personal data being exposed or processed remotely."
How do you see Eve's acquisition by ABB influencing its future direction and product offerings?
Baumeister: The acquisition by ABB presents a mutually beneficial partnership that leverages the strengths of both companies. For Eve, joining ABB provides access to a global network and enhanced resources, allowing us to expand our reach and accelerate innovation in smart home technologies.
ABB, in turn, gains Eve's expertise in Matter and Thread, which are crucial for seamless device interoperability and wireless connectivity. This expertise will enable ABB to strengthen its position in the smart home market, particularly in delivering safe, smart, and energy-efficient solutions.
By combining our consumer-centric approach with ABB's extensive experience in electrification and automation, we can create comprehensive smart home solutions that meet the evolving needs of consumers worldwide.
This partnership not only enhances our product offerings but also accelerates ABB's commitment to making buildings smarter and more sustainable. Devices like Eve Dimmer Switch and Eve Energy Outlet will continue to play a key role in this vision.
Looking ahead, what innovations or trends do you predict will shape the future of smart homes, and how is Eve positioned to lead in these areas?
Baumeister: By providing all features without subscriptions, we empower our customers to enjoy the full potential of their smart home devices, such as the Eve Energy Outlet, without additional costs or recurring fees. This approach not only enhances user satisfaction but also aligns with our philosophy of delivering value upfront, rather than through ongoing payments. Our customers can focus on enjoying their smart home experience without financial surprises down the line.
Market studies show that the demand for smart home solutions will continue to increase sharply in the coming years. Key drivers are smart energy management, security and increased user comfort. At Eve, we build our portfolio around these 3 pillars with exciting products in the pipeline.
The key to a unique customer experience is to combine devices from Eve and other Matter-compatible manufacturers directly in the customer’s smart home platform app of choice (such as Apple Home, Alexa App, etc). Their smart home devices will all be found in one place and work together. This is why we are convinced that the future of smart homes will be defined by technologies like Matter and Thread, which enable seamless integration and robust connectivity.
At Eve, we are well-positioned to lead in these areas due to our early adoption and continued innovation in these spaces. Additionally, our focus on privacy and user experience will remain central as we develop new products and features that enhance the smart home experience for users worldwide. With devices like the Eve Dimmer Switch and Eve Energy smart plug, we are committed to delivering solutions that are both innovative and user-centric.
Advantages of Using Eve
- Works with major platforms like Apple, Amazon, Google and Samsung
- Eve delivers seamless, secure experiences with smart outlets, switches, sensors and shading solutions
- Offers unparalleled flexibility and reliability - devices integrate seamlessly while ensuring data privacy
- No subscription fees - homeowners enjoy their smart home experience without financial surprises down the line
See how Eve Systems helps you go smart in 60 seconds.
Interested in using Eve Systems?
Rebates are available for both single-family and multifamily builders who join HomeSphere. Earn rebates through the HomeSphere Rebate Program, and check our full list of partners to see what other rebates you could be earning through our program.
