DUSSELDORF CARAVAN SHOW: Motorhome automation first

Being able to control many of the features in a motorhome or caravan from the one convenient device has been a dream for many RV manufacturers, but now a German RV electronic solutions specialist seems to have come up with the perfect solution.

After a “lot of hard work” Alphatronics has devised an app that controls the lighting, heating/cooling and multimedia systems in the one motorhome from a single touchpad or ‘tablet’.??

“The app can control the TV, the heater, the two air-conditioners, Alpine radio in front of the car, and the lights, so we replaced eight remote controls, ” explained Alphatronics’ Mat Bauer.

Unveiled at the 2014 Caravan Salon Dusseldorf, the world’s biggest caravan and motorhome show, the mobile home automation system was fitted for the first time to the range-topping, 8.4m long, 1840 ‘Lounge Edition’ model from 54-year-old German motorhome manufacturer Frankia.

“It’s a whole new system, exclusive to this top-line model, and it’s a first,” Bauer said. “It’s designed to be one application to control everything.”

With a couple of finger flicks or touches on a 10inch tablet, the interior lights can be adjusted to “different scenarios” including dimmed 50 percent for watching TV. Likewise, different temperatures are easily dialed up for the motorhome’s heater or air-conditioning systems.

The app also enables wi-fi internet if available, and ‘talks’ with various multi-media set-ups including the base vehicle’s infotainment system and six-speaker Alpine sound system and 39inch TV in the motorhome.  

“We implemented the multi-media system so we display content from the tablet, or from the car’s infotainment system, on the TV or the tablet,” he said.

The app works via a wired C-BUS system for cooling and heating, and wireless Wi-fi/Bluetooth for the multi-media and infra-red connection for the LED lighting.

The Fiat Ducato-based Frankia, five tonne motorhome on display also had some features you don’t often see on a 140,000 Euro ($200,000) motorhome, including a built-in Siemens coffee machine and very realistic, stacked slate-style wall finish behind the TV.

Bauer said it’s likely the RV automation system would be available to other manufacturers in the future. It currently only operates on the Android operating system, but it’s possible an Apple iOS version would also be developed.