by Bob Archer | Aug 31, 2026 | News, RoseWater Energy, Trade Show news
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RoseWater Energy Founder and CEO Joe Piccirilli to Lead Comprehensive Power Management Sales Curriculum at CEDIA Expo 2026
New three-course educational series equips systems integrators with knowledge, confidence, and sales strategies to capitalize on one of the custom integration industry’s fastest-growing business opportunities.
DENVER, CO and PLANTATION, FL – August 2026 – As power management rapidly evolves from a niche specialty into an essential element of every connected home, industry veteran and leading authority on power management Joe Piccirilli, founder and CEO of RoseWater Energy, will lead a first-of-its-kind three-course educational curriculum at CEDIA Expo 2026 designed to help systems integrators build profitable businesses around this expanding category.
Taking place Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, the comprehensive education series will provide a practical roadmap for understanding, selling, and specifying power management solutions. Rather than focusing on products or manufacturers, the curriculum delivers objective, sales-focused education that equips integration professionals to confidently discuss power management with homeowners, builders, architects, designers, electricians, and other project stakeholders.
“Power management has become one of the most important—and most misunderstood—categories in our industry,” says Piccirilli. “Today’s homes depend on technology more than ever before, yet many conversations about power don’t happen until after a problem occurs. This curriculum is designed to help integrators recognize opportunities earlier, communicate the value more effectively, and position themselves as trusted advisors who protect both their clients’ investments and their own businesses.”
As luxury homes incorporate more sophisticated automation, networking, entertainment, lighting, shading, wellness technologies, EV charging, and energy storage systems, power quality has become increasingly critical to system performance, reliability, and long-term client satisfaction. Yet many integration professionals still struggle to explain the category, qualify client needs, or confidently incorporate power management into project planning.
Developed specifically to address that gap, Piccirilli’s curriculum combines decades of sales training experience with deep expertise in power and energy management. Widely recognized as one of the integration industry’s foremost educators, Piccirilli has spent decades helping technology professionals communicate complex concepts in ways clients understand while identifying new opportunities to increase project value, reduce service calls, and strengthen customer relationships.
Unlike traditional product training, the three sessions present power management as both a technical discipline and a business strategy.
A Complete Learning Path
The curriculum begins with Power Management Fundamentals for the CI Channel (8:30–9:30 a.m.), providing attendees with a practical understanding of how power quality, outages, voltage fluctuations, and system resilience affect today’s connected homes while establishing a framework for incorporating power discussions into every project.
Immediately following, Making the Case for Power: Selling Power Management to Clients, Builders, and Design-Build Professionals (10:00–11:30 a.m.) shifts the focus to sales conversations, helping attendees introduce power management naturally, qualify client needs, and communicate benefits in terms homeowners and project partners value most. Moderated by Katye McGregor Bennett, the session also features Jim Sanfemio of Wicked Smart Homes.
The series concludes with Understanding the Power Management Product Landscape (12:30–2:00 p.m.), an objective overview of today’s power management technologies, including energy storage, UPS systems, surge protection, conditioning, voltage regulation, monitoring, and layered protection strategies. Moderated by Katye McGregor Bennett, the panel includes Nels Tate of SAV alongside Piccirilli and additional industry experts.
Collectively, the three sessions provide integrators with a structured education path that builds confidence in an increasingly important category while improving client communication, strengthening builder relationships, reducing missed opportunities, and positioning power management as a core component of professional system design.
“Power is no longer just about protecting equipment,” Piccirilli adds. “It’s about protecting the homeowner’s experience. When integrators understand how to communicate that value, power management becomes much more than another product category. It becomes an opportunity to build trust, differentiate their businesses, and deliver more resilient, higher-performing homes.”
CEDIA Expo 2026 Power Management Course Schedule
Power Management Fundamentals for the CI Channel
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 8:30–9:30 a.m. | Room 403
CE Credit: 1.0
Making the Case for Power: Selling Power Management to Clients, Builders, and Design-Build Professionals
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 10:00–11:30 a.m. | Room 403
Understanding the Power Management Product Landscape
Thursday, Sept. 3 | 12:30–2:00 p.m. | Room 403
CE Credit: 1.5
Registered CEDIA Expo attendees are invited to participate in any or all three sessions. Together, they provide one of the industry’s most comprehensive educational opportunities focused on the rapidly growing power management category and the significant business opportunities it represents for today’s integration professionals.
Connect with Joe Piccirilli at CEDIA Expo
Integration and design-build professionals looking to deepen their understanding of the power management category are encouraged to attend the panel session and are welcome to connect with Joe Piccirilli by emailing joepic@rosewaterenergy.com. For more information about RoseWater Energy, visit www.rosewaterenergy.com.
About RoseWater Energy
RoseWater Energy understands that Power is the Foundation® for any smart home. The company designs and manufactures a complete solution providing both power conditioning and consistent energy, as well as surge and lightning protection for the main power source, solar input, and large-scale standby power, along with analytics and remote monitoring in a redundant industrial-grade system made for high-end residences and commercial environments.
Committed to building Simply the Best® energy management system on the market, RoseWater Energy Hubs work 24/7 and are always providing clean power in any situation – including during normal grid operation as well as grid spikes, surges, brownouts, or power outages. RoseWater Energy HUBs are built with full power conditioning functionality and zero-transfer-times between power sources. These unique features enable technology integration professionals to reduce or eliminate a plethora of unnecessary and expensive client service calls due to power issues and instead, provide peace of mind. White-glove delivery and commissioning ensure a successful outcome. RoseWater will work with authorized integration firms to help design, build, integrate, and utilize the RoseWater Energy Power Plan Method® to customize an effective power foundation to best address the specific needs of each project. For more information visit www.rosewaterenergy.com/power-plan.
RoseWater Energy Media Contact
For interviews, reviews, and more information please contact Katye McGregor Bennett of KMB Communications at (406) 446-1283 or katye@kmbcomm.com.
by Bob Archer | Aug 30, 2026 | Blog, KMB Communications, Somfy, SONOS
For the third year in a row, the trade publication CE Pro is set to name its Women to Watch list.
This list recognizes the contributions of women to the evolution and growth of the smart home or more correctly—the technology integration market. Over the past few years, the list has recognized women such as KMB Communications’ founder and CEO Katye McGregor Bennet, Lisa Montgomery, account manager and copy writer for KMB Communications, Maryellen Oswald, CI & partnerships, channel manager for Somfy, and Caitlin Stewart, sales director, residential, Leon Speakers.
Celebrating the achievements of these women has been long overdue as the electronics industry continues reshape itself, and a similar movement is happening in music.
Sure, most of the bands and artists in rock-and-roll are male, but there are a growing number of women that are making a significant impact in the genre. Most notably, Anika Nilles has won classic rock fans over with the iconic Canadian band Rush taking over for the late Neil Peart on drums.
Beyond Nilles, there are classic artists such as Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Amy Lee of Evanescence, Tal Wilkenfeld, the bass player that wowed music fans back in the 2000s with Jeff Beck, and Lzzy Hale of Halestorm. Further underscoring the changes happening within rock music, there’s a new generation of women driving a new era of rock-and-roll.
Rock-and-Roll is Back
Before getting into some of today’s bands that are shaping modern rock-and-roll, musicians including Kiki Wongo of the Smashing Pumpkins, Sophie Lloyd of Machine Gun Kelly’s band, Nita Strauss of Alice Cooper, and Anna Cara of Alice Cooper are at the forefront of today’s guitar playing. Some of the new drummers impacting the world of drums include Brooke Colucci and Lucy Ritter who has played with Chappell Roan.
Not forgetting today’s generation of women bass players there is the Fender signature artist Blu DeTiger and Victoria De Angelis of the Italian alt-rock band Maneskin that have forged strong identities within the bass community.
Getting back to the CE Pro Women to Watch list for a moment, Katye McGregor Bennett will be moderating a panel discussion on this year’s list. The panel takes place at CEDIA Expo in Denver on Thursday Sept. 3 at 4 p.m. local time at the show’s Smart Stage. The panel includes Wendy Griffiths, SVP membership & global development, CEDIA, Sarah Atkinson, senior manager, professional partnerships, Sonos, and Maryellen Oswald.
Now, here is a look at some of the women that are shaping today’s era of rock-and-roll:
- Die Spitz: Formed around 2022, this all-girl band from Austin released their debut album on Third Man Records back in September 2025. All four members are the same age (22) and they draw from bands such as Black Sabbath, the Pixies and Nirvana.
Check out Die Spitz live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBuwjdY9GRI
- The Warning: These three sisters from Mexico have been in the spotlight for over a decade, since their cover of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” went viral. Today, the sisters have several albums under their belt, and tours with bands that include the Muse, Foo Fighters and Youngblood. The Warning cite influences such as Metallica, Muse, Queen, and My Chemical Romance.
Here is a live video of The Warning in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jecA7XzA1wo&t=2s
- Castle Rat: The brainchild of the “Rat Queen” Riley Pinkerton, Castle Rat is best described as a doom metal band or possibly the result of if someone combined Dungeons and Dragons with Black Sabbath. The band has released the record “Into the Realm” in 2024 and “The Bestiary” in 2025.
Resembling possibly an episode of “Game of Thrones,” here is Castle Rat live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQixE9aPd0w
- Plush: Despite their age—all the members of Plush are in their early- to mid-20s—Plush have been around for several years and there have been several iterations of the band. Currently, Plush performs as a trio with Moriah Formica serving as Plush’s guitar player and lead vocalist, along with Ashley Suppa on bass, and Faith Powell on drums.
Over the years, Plush has toured regularly with opening slots on tours for bands such as Disturbed and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators.
More from Plush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FigiORdHWPk
- The Last Dinner Party: This U.K.-based alternative band burst onto the music scene about five years ago. The band combines a theatrical visual element with strong melodies to deliver fun live shows. The Last Dinner Party has released two records to date: “Prelude to Ecstasy” and “From the Pyre.”
Here is a look at The Last Dinner Party live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrbb1z46Lms
- Wet Leg: Another British alternative band that formed around the same time is Wet Leg. Back in 2019 Rhin Teasdale and Hester Chambers formed the band on the Isle of Wight, and since then Wet Leg has gone on to win a Grammy for Best Alternative Music Album.
Currently, Wet Leg has released two albums, including 2026’s “Moisturizer.” Check out this live video of the band: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEZdq_25bs
- Amyl and the Sniffers: The next rock-and-roll band in this short list is categorized by many as a punk band. Formed in Australia, the band is led by vocalist Amy Taylor, and the band also includes guitar player Declan Mehrtens, drummer Bryce Wilson and bass player Gus Romer.
Since the formation of the band back in 2016, Amyl and the Sniffers have released three records: A self-titled record back in 2019, “Comfort to Me” back in 2021, and “Cartoon Darkness” in 2024.
Check out Amyl and the Sniffers live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIEZdq_25bs
To learn more about KMB Communications clients, click here.
by Bob Archer | Aug 28, 2026 | Blog
The CEDIA Expo 2026 website features a clock that is counting down the days until the show, and as of the time of writing the weekly KMB Comm Tech Week in Review, there are three days until the event begins.
Most of the home technology news cycle over the pasts couple of weeks has been dominated with Expo news, including product announcements, system demonstrations, and more. There is however news that is technology-related happening outside of the CEDIA Expo.
Looking at some of the noteworthy news outside of the technology integration market, here are some items from LinkedIn, eCoustics, SVConline, and Yahoo. The topics in these items include a trio of Apple posts, Amazon hardware price increases, “The Odyssey,” and Sony PlayStation news.
- eCoustics says “The Odyssey” home video release has been announced
- LinkedIn and Fortune says that Amazon is raising the prices on some of its products
- Yahoo Tech is reporting on the unhappiness of PlayStation account users
- Picking up a story from Bloomberg, LinkedIn says momentum is building for a foldable iPhone
- Sound & Video Contractor citing Bloomberg says that Apple is gearing up to focus on AI
- Yahoo Finance is reporting on the launch of new Mac Mini and Mac Studio computers
KMB Comm Home Technology News
Starting this week’s tour of residential tech news, is an item from eCoustics. In a story that posted mid-week, the enthusiast site says “The Odyssey” will be available in a physical media release as 4K Ultra HD/Blu ray/digital content.
The release will offer a native 4K resolution with HDR10 high dynamic range (HDR) and a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. Audio will be DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. eCoustics adds the most intriguing part of the release will be the aspect ratio. The story notes the film was shot using IMAX cameras. eCoustics says the 1.78:1 aspect ratio cannot show the complete 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio, but it may show more of the image than a 2.39:1 Cinemascope version on a 16:9 screen.
Next up in KMB Comm’s tour of residential tech news is a LinkedIn post that was picked up from Fortune.
The post via Fortune states that Amazon is increasing the prices on products such as Fire TVs, Kindles, and Echos due to the chip shortage that is impacting the technology market. The story says that price hikes could reach as high as 60% on some products.
Over in the world of gaming, Sony addressed its critics head-on according to a story from Yahoo Tech.
The Yahoo Tech story says that Sony sent an email to PlayStation account holders that underscored its Terms of Service. Those terms include the level of rights users have with digital purchases, and the email followed an announcement the company made on it ending physical media production.
Not surprisingly Yahoo Tech notes users are not taking Sony’s announcement well. Additionally other points that aren’t faring well with PlayStation users include Sony’s admission that it may track and record users’ activities on its PlayStation Online Services.
Lots of Apple News
Picking up a story from Bloomberg, earlier this week, LinkedIn has posted an item on the momentum building for the first foldable iPhone product. LinkedIn says the foldable iPhone could be priced at more than $2,000, and the story suggests this product could be the biggest new device in a long time from the California-based technology company.
Our next Apple news story comes from Sound & Video Contractor (SVConline).
According to SVConline’s story per Bloomberg, Apple has reduced the size of several of its development teams, including the team responsible for Apple Vision Pro. The report says that more than 200 people were let go, and among the staff members were people that worked on Siri and the Intelligent System Experience teams.
The reason for these layoffs, says SVConline from the Bloomberg story are that Apple is gearing up to focus its resources new products and AI.
Concluding the KMB Comm Tech Week in Review and the trio of Apple news items, is a story from Yahoo Finance on the launch of new Apple computer products.
The story states that Apple’s Mac Mini and Mac Studio are popular computing products with the AI community and can be difficult to find in stores due to their popularity. Earlier this week, Apple announced the latest versions of these computers.
Apple’s new Mac Mini incorporates a new M6 processor or M5 Pro chip, and the M6 can be ordered with up to 32GB of memory. The M5 Pro version can be ordered with up to 64GB of memory, and the Mac Studio will be powered by the M5 Max and M5 Ultra processors.
Pricing for the new Mac Mini starts at $899, while the Mac Mini with the M5 Pro starts at $1,699 says Yahoo Finance. The base Mac Studio pricing starts at $2,499 with the M5 Ultra version reaching the pricing plateau of $5,499.
To learn more about KMB Comm clients, click this link.
by Bob Archer | Aug 26, 2026 | Leon Speakers, News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CEDIA EXPO BOOTH #1719
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Leon Invites CEDIA Expo 2026 Attendees to Awaken the Senses with All-New Products, Partnerships, and a Refreshed Material Library
A New Material Library, FrameBar Ultima, Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA, Powersoft® Collaboration and more headline Leon’s latest design-forward AV solutions
Ann Arbor, MI — [August 26, 2026] — At CEDIA Expo 2026, Leon Speakers breathes life into the philosophy of “Leave Nothing Unfinished” with a new showcase of framing, art, and audio solutions built to merge superior sound with elevated designs and materials. The exhibit centers around an experiential Material Library, inviting visitors to Awaken the Senses through a curated collection of textures, color palettes, and FSC® certified sustainable materials, alongside premium sound demonstrations for new reference-grade soundbars, subwoofers, and a collaboration with leading amplifier manufacturer Powersoft®.
By providing design-driven solutions that harmonize across every product line, Leon is ushering in a new era of design, where advanced audio capabilities and refined aesthetics intertwine to celebrate the emotional impact of a beautifully integrated space.
Awaken the Senses
Leon’s new Material Library has been meticulously curated around a simple idea: great AV design is experienced through more than just sound. Texture, color, grain and finish all contribute to the way a space feels.
Developed with the AV/Interior Designer relationship in mind, the collection brings together the highest-quality, sustainable, furniture-grade Italian hardwood veneers, refined powder-coated metals, and acoustically optimized designer grille fabrics. In addition to a new selection of finishes, the new library offers a more cohesive and modular material experience across Leon products, giving dealers greater ease and flexibility to specify full Leon systems that complement the architecture, furnishings, and character of each space.
Leon’s invitation to “Awaken the Senses” allows dealers and designers to experience the new materials firsthand: from the tactile character of Italian wood veneer to the richness of furniture-grade powder coats and the soft, dimensional quality of acoustically optimized textiles. Sustainability is integral to the collection, which features veneers certified by the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®) mounted to a high-performance, sustainable HDF core composed of 100% recycled recovered wood content.
“We are reshaping how premium technology integrates into sustainable modern luxury,” said Leon’s President and founder Noah Kaplan. “By combining Leon’s next-level craftsmanship with rigid environmental certifications and enhanced material capabilities, we are giving our clients a beautiful, furniture-grade, long-lasting product that they can feel good about specifying.”
New Products, Refined Possibilities
Alongside the Material Library, Leon will debut FrameBar Ultima, the newest evolution of its custom-width soundbar featuring the reference-grade Ultima audio platform built to match the exact width and finish of any framed TV—from Samsung’s The Frame TV to Leon’s StudioFrame for Sony BRAVIA, and more. Featuring handmade 5” woven polypropylene woofers and world-class 1” cloth-dome tweeters, the new FrameBar Ultima produces utterly transparent and brilliant sound while building on Leon’s history as a pioneer of custom-width soundbars. For use on FrameBar and across the portfolio, Leon collaborated with a celebrated textile supplier to design a set of unique, exclusive grille fabrics. These designer textiles feature proprietary patterns that blend seamlessly into high-end interiors while offering advanced acoustic transparency for better dispersion. This meticulously crafted combination of bespoke design and advanced acoustic engineering cements the FrameBar Ultima as the premier statement piece for high-end home theater systems.
Additionally, to highlight Leon’s custom capabilities, a special FrameBar Ultima installation will feature integrated subwoofers, built to match the Sony 98″ Bravia 9 II display, and will be fully powered by Powersoft®—underscoring Leon’s commitment to creative design and demonstrating an exceptional capacity for audio depth and clarity.
Leon will also showcase the newest Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 9 II & 7 II, bringing a seamless, design-forward finish to Sony’s latest displays. Available to order August 24, with shipping beginning in late September 2026, the new Studio Frame extends Leon’s approach to display integration with a refined frame designed to make Sony’s latest displays feel at home in beautifully considered spaces.
Leon’s Edge Frames have received a major design upgrade. The new Edge TV Frame with Audio features Leon’s all-new Italian hardwood veneers and a sleek new design for exceptional consistency, easier installation, greater sustainability, and a timeless aesthetic.
Rounding out the showcase will be a selection of solutions that demonstrate the breadth of Leon’s design-first approach, including the Mera Sound Sconce, Terra Outdoor Speakers, ASKIA Sound-Dampening Tiles, and a sneak peek of an all-new Aaros A-10 ultra-thin passive and powered subwoofers, powered by Powersoft® and featuring a handcrafted cabinet finished in premium Italian hardwood veneer.
Leon’s CEDIA Expo presence extends beyond Booth #1719, with Leon’s Director of Residential Sales, Caitlin Stewart, participating in two September 2nd sessions: “Get Your Foot in the Door with Design-Build” and “The Sound of Wellness.” Leon’s partnered products will also be featured at the Sonos booth, with three Edge Flex Frames on display, and the Sony booth, showcasing the new Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA 9 II & 7 II in all sizes and finishes.
From custom-width audio and display framing to architectural lighting-inspired sound, outdoor audio, and high-powered, small form factor subwoofers, Leon’s CEDIA Expo 2026 showcase demonstrates its continued commitment to resolving the details that separate an integrated system from a truly finished space.
Visit Leon at CEDIA Expo 2026, Booth #1719, to experience the new Material Library, FrameBar Ultima, Studio Frame for Sony BRAVIA, and more, or visit www.leonspeakers.com.
About Leon Speakers
Leon brings a creative approach to the AV industry by designing and manufacturing customizable speakers and technology concealment solutions that enhance the sound and style of any space. For over 25 years, they have been a leader in the conversation on merging design with technology, creating innovative products that serve both the Residential and Commercial markets. Learn more at www.leonspeakers.com.
All products, product names, trademarks, and registrations mentioned are the property of their respective owners. All rights reserved.
Media Contact:
Katye McGregor Bennett, KMB Communications
(406) 446-1283 | katye@kmbcomm.com
Company Contact:
Sabine Bickford, Marketing & Communications Manager
(888) 213-5015 | media@leonspeakers.com
by Bob Archer | Aug 26, 2026 | News, Somfy
Somfy Expands Smart Shading Possibilities with Innovative PoE and WireFree Solutions at CEDIA Expo 2026
Somfy’s range of motorization solutions brings design freedom, simplicity, and more ways for integrators to deliver intelligent shading to connected homes.
DAYTON, NJ (August 25, 2026) – Somfy is expanding the possibilities for intelligent shading with innovative technologies designed to make shade and drapery motors easier to specify, install and integrate across today’s connected residential environments.
At CEDIA Expo 2026, Booth #3512, Somfy will showcase smart, installation-friendly solutions spanning both wired and WireFree™ applications, including its growing Power over Ethernet (PoE) motor portfolio, the new Glydea® ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee Drapery Motor and the Top-down Bottom-up 45 WireFree Zigbee motor. Together, these innovations give custom integrators greater flexibility to address a broad range of shading applications while delivering the performance, aesthetics and intuitive control homeowners expect from luxury smart home systems.
“Automated shading has become an essential part of the luxury smart home, and integrators need solutions that give them more flexibility without adding complexity,” says Maryellen Oswald, Partnerships Business Development & CI Channel Manager. “Our focus is on making intelligent shading easier to design, specify and install, while giving professionals the freedom to choose the right technology for each project. From scalable PoE infrastructure to versatile WireFree motorization, we’re helping integrators create connected spaces that bring together performance, comfort and beautiful design.”
Somfy PoE Shade Motors Bring Power and Control Together
As motorized shading becomes an increasingly integral part of the connected home, Somfy is demonstrating how Power over Ethernet can provide integrators with a streamlined, scalable infrastructure for whole-home shading. Under the theme “One Cable, One Ecosystem, One Seamless Experience,” Somfy’s dedicated CEDIA Expo PoE exhibit will showcase key solutions from its extensive portfolio of PoE-enabled motors. Featured demonstrations will include the Sonesse® 30 PoE, illustrating how a single Cat-5e or Cat-6 Ethernet cable can deliver both power and data to simplify installation and establish a scalable, IP-based shading infrastructure.
Attendees can also explore Somfy’s broader family of PoE-enabled motors and see how the technology supports a wide range of residential shading applications. That experience extends to a dedicated PoE Wall within the Somfy exhibit, where shading will be demonstrated alongside other PoE-enabled technologies as part of a coordinated smart home environment. Somfy is partnering with PoE WIT, Control4 and Sonos to showcase integrated lighting, Control4 Lux Keypads and Sonos Era 100 Pro speakers. With a single button press, attendees will see synchronized scenes activate shading, lighting and audio together, demonstrating how a unified PoE infrastructure can simplify integration while enabling sophisticated whole-home experiences.
WireFree Drapery Automation Opens New Possibilities for High-End Design
Somfy is also expanding the design possibilities of automated shading with the Glydea® ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee Drapery Motor, a wireless solution that brings sophisticated drapery automation to both new construction and retrofit projects without requiring prewiring.
For its CEDIA Expo demonstration, Somfy is partnering with Wolf Drapery, which is providing the draperies and decorative rod for the installation. The collaboration demonstrates how advanced motorization can enhance a thoughtfully designed window treatment, giving integrators and designers greater freedom to introduce automated drapery without compromising the aesthetic vision of a space.
Compatible with Somfy TaHoma® and leading smart home ecosystems, the Zigbee 3.0 motor provides added flexibility when specifying luxury window treatments. Engineered to support popular designer drapery styles including Pinch Pleat, Ripple Fold and Accordia, it combines ultra-quiet performance with concealed hardware that preserves clean architectural lines.
The compact motor supports track lengths up to 36 feet and traverses fabrics weighing up to 110 pounds, making it well suited for expansive openings and oversized custom draperies.
Integrators can commission and customize installations through the TaHoma pro app, including establishing precise position setpoints. Homeowners can operate their draperies through touch motion, Zigbee automation or compatible third-party control systems, while LED status feedback provides at-a-glance confirmation of motor, battery and system operation to simplify maintenance and troubleshooting.
Top-Down Bottom-Up Motor Delivers More Precise Daylight and Privacy Control
Addressing growing demand for more flexible control of natural light, privacy and comfort, Somfy will also showcase its Top-down Bottom-up 45 WireFree™ Zigbee motor, a purpose-built solution that combines sophisticated daylight management with installer-friendly technology.
Engineered specifically for top-down bottom-up applications, the Zigbee 3.0 motor enables independent positioning of the upper and lower portions of a shade. Homeowners can introduce natural light while reducing glare, maintaining privacy and preserving outdoor views, adjusting the balance as conditions and activities change throughout the day.
Adjustable motor speed and soft start/stop functionality provide smooth, quiet and precise operation. Its WireFree design eliminates the need for hardwiring, while a concealed USB-C Internal Headrail Li-ion Battery preserves a clean aesthetic and provides fast charging with optional solar charging.
Installation and commissioning are designed with integrator efficiency in mind. QR-code commissioning through the TaHoma® pro app uses Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to simplify setup, while guided workflows and real-time feedback on battery level and shade position help installers complete projects efficiently and can reduce future service calls.
A dedicated Ysia® TDBU remote provides homeowners with intuitive control, while Zigbee 3.0 connectivity enables integration into the Somfy TaHoma ecosystem and broader connected-home experiences.
Where to See Somfy at CEDIA Expo 2026
CEDIA Expo 2026 attendees are invited to visit Somfy at Booth #3512 to experience its latest shading technologies firsthand. Featured demonstrations will include the Sonesse 30 PoE and an integrated PoE Wall experience pairing Somfy shading with PoE Wit LED lighting solutions, Control4 Lux Keypads and the Sonos Era 100 Pro speaker; the Glydea ULTRA 50 WireFree Zigbee Drapery Motor with draperies and decorative hardware from Wolf Drapery; and the Top-down Bottom-up 45 WireFree Zigbee motor.
To learn more about Somfy motors and solutions for high-performance smart home applications, visit somfypro.com.
About Somfy Systems, Inc.
For over 50 years, Somfy has been pioneering innovative motorization and automated solutions for window coverings and exterior shading products. With comfort, ease of use, security, and sustainability in mind, our seamless and connected solutions are designed to help people make the move to living spaces impactful for humans and with a reduced impact on nature. For more information, visit somfypro.com.
Media Contact:
Katye McGregor Bennett KMB Communications katye@kmbcomm.com
