The process of managing household devices and energy consumption may have become more streamlined with a new connection between Span, the company developing a modern electrical panel, and Amazon’s voice assistant, Alexa.

This development is accompanied by a $20 million investment, originating from Amazon’s Alexa Fund and the HSB Fund of Munich Re Ventures, a prominent insurance organization.

By linking with Alexa, individuals who utilize Span’s electrical panels can remotely activate or deactivate any circuit or appliance, track the energy demands of their appliances, and identify the primary source of power for their residence.

For example, a question such as “Alexa, ask Span what is currently using the most energy?” will elicit a response. According to Span’s CEO, Arch Rao, this Alexa integration creates new possibilities for homeowners to connect their various devices and appliances due to its direct link to the home’s electrical system.

Rao believes this integration positions Span to fulfill the long-held promise of a central home automation system. “There are simply too many devices in today’s homes… each requiring its own application,” Rao explained. “Our key advantage is that, once installed, we remain a constant presence in the home, connected to all electrical systems for the next three to four decades.”

Beyond monitoring energy use and production, Alexa voice commands can be used to cut power to any appliance or switch that the homeowner has configured within the system.

“Essentially, our panel creates a digital interface for the home during construction,” Rao stated. “We are developing a highly effective edge device… which functions as a central hub, providing real-time insights and control.”

Looking ahead, Rao anticipates Span integrating with additional devices, such as water leak detectors, smoke alarms, and other equipment, to offer further control options that could benefit insurance providers like Munich Re.

With the newly acquired $20 million in funding, Rao plans to significantly expand sales and marketing initiatives, collaborating with partners like Munich Re and Amazon to increase the adoption of Span’s devices in homes.

The company benefits from growing momentum driven by home automation and energy efficiency initiatives currently under consideration in Washington, which could lead to financial incentives for the implementation of technologies like Span’s electrical panels.

Rao also intends to expand the Span team. Currently comprised of 35 employees, the company aims to reach approximately 70 employees by the year’s end.

Span’s expansion is part of a larger trend in home technology towards more sustainable solutions. This includes the increasing use of electric appliances for things like water heating and cooking, as well as the integration of electric vehicle charging stations and home energy storage systems, which shift energy generation and management closer to the electricity grid.

“This involves replacing the gas line that supplies homes with an all-electric system… as consumers move away from fossil fuels, existing home systems often prove inefficient. This is a product ecosystem where we are beginning to see collaborative opportunities,” Rao said. “The data we provide will be unmatched when it comes to applications like monitoring appliance performance… and delivering services to the home.”