Business

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High Tech For
The Horizontal Set

Kenneth Cole

TIM COHAN SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

ou're home alone, corn- tomation, such scenarios are an
fortably ensconced on your everyday part of his life at home.
living-room sofa, ready to Virtual Automation, which
watch the newly released Mr. Barris runs from his West
video of last sum- Bloomfield house,
specializes in home
men's blockbuster Name: Dave Barris
automation. He
thriller. You say
two words: "Start Occupation: Founder can integrate a
and owner, Virtual Au- handful of special
movie."
switches and plugs
As if by magic, tomation
the lights in the Family: Parents, Wil- with the existing
adjacent kitchen liam and Arlene; broth- wiring, and turn a
turn off, the liv- er, Joel; sister, Alyssa; house into some-
thing straight out
ing room lights
dim, the window fiancee, Rochelle Van of "The Jetsons."
'We can auto-
curtains close, Bierendonck
the TV comes to Activities: Member, mate lights, appli-
life and the VCR Building Industry Asso- ances, thermostats,
begins to roll the ciation of Michigan and security systems,
tape. The sounds Construction Associa- lawn sprinklers ,--
just about any-
and aroma of the tion of Michigan.
thing that runs on
popcorn popper
electricity," Mr.
in the kitchen
waft into the room. You haven't Barris says. 'We can even mo-
done anything but push a button torize drapes so they'll open and
or two. close on command."
The systems in
an automated
home can respond
to a variety of in-
puts, including
key chain-size re-
mote controls,
preprogrammed
timers and voice
commands. Many
functions can be
controlled by tele-
phone, so, for in-
stance, a call from
the office can turn
up the furnace.
The house will be
warmed up to the
temperature
specified, without
having to worry
about big gas bills
that result from
keeping the heat
up all day.
A typical living
room can be auto-
mated for about
$200, and a corn-
Dave Barris and Rochelle Van Bierendonck of Virtual
pleth system for a
Automation.
3,000-square-foot
Sound like some unattainable home runs about $6,000. The
couch-potato fantasy? For Dave
Barris, owner of Virtual Au- HIGH TECH page 42

PHOTO BY DANIEL L IPPM

y

Lorenzo Banfi

Johnston &Murphy

COLE • HAAS

CABLE & Co.

BACCO BUCCI
BALLY
BRUNO MAGLI ecco Rockport

EXCLUDING DISCOUNTED MERCHANDISE

COUPON EXPIRES: 3/1/96

Not valid in conjunction with second pair half-off sale.

AU. /CLAWS

European Collections West Bloomfield • On the Boardwalk
6893 Orchard Lake Rd. • Just South of Maple • (810) 626-3362

Store Hours: Mon.-Weds. & Sat. 10-7 • Thurs. & Fri. 10-9 • Sun. 12 5

-

LALIOUE

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Complimentary Gift Wrapping
6644 Orchard Lake Road at
Maple in West Bloomfield

Mon-Thur-Fri
10-9
Tue-Wed-Sat
10-6
bi
Sun 12-5
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te dot,ULAILMID
810 855-1600

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