Open Software Platform for the Smart Home

Open Software Platform for the Smart Home ABB, Bosch, and Cisco to Establish Joint Venture / Partner ecosystem to be open to all appliance manufacturers and service providers

New software platform allows simple exchange of data between different types of devices enabling a new range of services

Partner ecosystem to be open to all appliance manufacturers and service providers

Mannheim/Stuttgart/Munich, Germany December 1, 2014 ABB, Bosch, and Cisco plan to establish an international joint venture that will develop and operate an open software platform for smart home devices and applications. A shareholder agreement to this effect was signed on November 27, 2014. The joint venture is to be domiciled in Germany. The plan is subject to approval by the antitrust authorities. The companies involved expect that the joint venture will be able to commence operations at the beginning of 2015.

For a home to be "smart," it is crucial that all the appliances and systems in the home e.g., washing machine, heating units, lamps or window blinds can simply and securely exchange data with each other as well as with smartphones and tablets. The aim of the joint venture is to develop and operate an open software platform that will enable this simple exchange of data between different manufacturers devices. In the future, therefore, users will not have to worry about technological compatibility when operating their electric and electronic devices at home. The new platform will also make it possible to provide a range of services related to household devices, in areas such as energy management, security technology, and entertainment. This will help enable new business models: Software developers, for example, will be able to create a wide variety of apps for these areas of use.

In addition to developing and operating a software platform, the companies intend to invite appliance electronics manufacturers, home automation vendors, and service providers to join a business ecosystem. The business ecosystem will aim to facilitate collaboration and incorporate a wide range of user requirements when developing the software platform.

About Bosch

The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. In 2013, its roughly 281,000 associates generated sales of 46.1 billion euros. (NB: Due to a change in accounting policies, the 2013 figures can only be compared to a limited extent with the 2012 figures). Its operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 360 subsidiaries and regional companies in some 50 countries. If its sales and service partners are included, then Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2013, the Bosch Group invested some 4.5 billion euros in research and development and applied for some 5,000 patents. This is an average of 20 patents per day. The Bosch Groups products and services are designed to fascinate, and to improve the quality of life by providing solutions which are both innovative and beneficial. In this way, the company offers technology worldwide that is "Invented for life."

The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as "Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering." The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.

Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, http://twitter.com/BoschPresse.

About ABB

In 2013, ABB Germany generated sales of EUR 3.37 billion with approximately 10,000 employees. ABB is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility, industry, and transport and infrastructure customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. The ABB Group of companies operates in around 100 countries and employs about 145,000 people.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Ciscos trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

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