The technology company Olibra—makers of the Bond Bridge RF-to-WiFi control platform—have announced that Progressive Screens has begun marketing two co-developed control solutions for its MagnaTrack series of motorized outdoor screens.
Olibra’s Bond Bridge Pro consolidates and unifies control of motorized indoor and outdoor shades, screens, awnings, ceiling fans and gas fireplaces. Driven by Gaposa and Somfy motors, Progressive Screens’ MagnaTrack Defender Hurricane, Vinyl, Solar and Insect screens are utilized in wide variety of residential and commercial applications.
Born from the Bond Bridge Pro and tailored to the specific needs of the MagnaTrack dealers and their clientele, the companies developed the MagnaTrack Bridge BD-1720 and step-up Bridge BD-1740. Each controls up to 50 MagnaTrack screens in a 3,500 sq. ft. location, and on larger jobs multiples can be used. The BD-1740 adds POE connectivity and control of ceiling fans and fireplaces. The bridges can be installed on the wall or ceiling, yet do not require any wiring.
Labeled MagnaTrack Powered by Bond, beginning April 2023, the bridges now become MagnaTrack’s sole hubs for control. This ranges from smartphone control to full integration with Apple Home Kit, Control4, Crestron, Elan, Savant, RTI, URC, Homebridge, and Hubitat.
The Bond Home App for smartphones and tablets provides intuitive and reliable operation of the MagnaTrack screens through the bridges regardless of the user’s skillset. It also brings new functionality such as individual and group screen control, scheduling, and integration with voice activation platforms Josh.ai, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and SmartThings.
The MagnaTrack line will also offer Olibra’s Bond Home Sidekick for Shades accessory.This wireless, battery-operated 5-channel remote communicates directly via RF to individual or batches of MagnaTrack screens in a 2,000 sq. ft. range. Sidekick’s direct RF communication also benefits the user in being able to operate the screen even if WiFi is interrupted. The keypad mounts to the wall or electrical box (white decora faceplate included). When integrated with either bridge, the keypad’s range expands to 3,500 sq. ft., plus the App can now depict the screen’s status (i.e., open or closed) – an important fail-safe feature.
In addition, MagnaTrack says that it is experiencing growth and cost-effective, state-of-the-art manual and automated control is critical for its client base. Likewise, the Bond Bridge platform is being rapidly adopted by manufacturers of appliance motors and specialized window treatment and automation sales and installations companies in both the residential and commercial channels.
More news from Bond Home: Bond Home Sidekick for Shades, Sidekick Scene Keypad
