Universal Electronics

Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is an American smart home technology provider[2] and manufacturer of universal remote controls, IoT devices such as voice-enabled smart home hubs,[3] smart thermostats, home sensors; as well as a white label digital assistant platform[4] optimized for smart home applications, and other software and cloud services for device discovery, fingerprinting and interoperability.[5] The company designs, develops, manufactures and ships products both under the "One For All" brand[6] and as an OEM for other companies in the audio video, subscription broadcasting, connected home, tablet and smart phone markets. In 2015, it expanded its product and technology platform to include home automation, intelligent sensing and security.

Universal Electronics Inc
TypePublic
Nasdaq: UEIC
S&P 600 component
IndustryConsumer electronics
Founded1986 (1986)[1]
Headquarters
Scottsdale, Arizona
,
U.S.
ProductsIoT devices, smart thermostat, smart home, virtual assistant, remote controls
Brands
  • QuickSet
  • QuickSet Cloud
  • One For All
  • Nevo
  • Ecolink
  • RCS
Websiteuei.com

UEI's global headquarters is located in Scottsdale, Arizona with R&D offices in Santa Ana, California, regional offices in Enschede (The Nederlands), Manaus (Brazil), Hong Kong, Bangalore (India), San Mateo and Carlsbad (California), and Twinsburg (Ohio).[1][7]

In 2014 UEI was ranked 80 on Forbes' list of "America's Best Small Companies."[1]

Many of UEI's products use different low power wireless technologies such as Bluetooth and Zigbee (or other 802.15.4 communications). UEI is a member of different wireless industry alliances such as Zigbee Alliance, Bluetooth SIG as well as Wi-Fi Alliance.[8] UEI also offer SoCs such as UE878[9] and SDK to enable multi-protocol communication for different smart home devices such as leading Smart TVs.

Products

UEI is one of the world's largest manufacturers of remote controls, responsible for an estimated 30% global market share in home entertainment remotes.[10] Under its Ecolink brand, it also makes home security and automation products such as motion and door/window entry sensors for DIY and professional home security markets and OEMs.

UEI makes numerous products that use Zigbee, Bluetooth[11] or Wi-Fi technology. They are a member of the ZigBee Alliance, Bluetooth SIG[12] and Wi-Fi Alliance.[13]

QuickSet Cloud

QuickSet Cloud[14] is Universal Electronics’ software product family including web services and embedded SDK for simplifying discovery and universal control setup and operation in a smart home.

Acquisitions

In February 2009, UEI purchased all of Zilog's software & IP assets related to Zilog's universal remote control business, including all ROM code, software, and database of infrared codes.[15] Zilog sold these assets for $31 million cash.

In August 2015, UEI acquired Ecolink Intelligent Technology, a wireless home security and automation specialist.[16] In May 2017, UEI further expanded by acquiring RCS Technology, a pioneer in smart thermostats and energy management.[17]

Honors

In 2017, National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences awarded UEI a Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for its contribution to "Contextual Voice Navigation for Discovering and Interacting with TV Content."[18]

Use of Uyghur forced labor

In October 2021, Universal Electronics affirmed to Reuters[19] that it had "struck a deal with authorities in Xinjiang to transport hundreds of Uyghur workers to its plant in the southern Chinese city of Qinzhou," the first instance of a U.S. firm confirming participation in CCCP labor transfer programs described by watchgroups as forced labor. City officials from Qinzhou and the city of Hotan in Xinjiang reported to Reuters that Uyghur workers were delivered under police guard by plane from Hotan directly to the Universal Electronics Qinzhou plant. The Reuters report further describes the Uyghur laborers as working under police guard at the factory; being housed in segregated quarters, also under police surveillance; and being restricted in their freedom of movement. A Universal Electronics spokeswoman asserted that the company did not regard the workers as forced labor but affirmed that it did not conduct independent due diligence on its labor's sourcing.

References
  1. "Universal Electronics on Forbes Lists". Forbes.com. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  2. "QuickSet Cloud Developer Portal". developer.quicksetcloud.com. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  3. "Universal Electronics Introduces New Product and Cloud Service to Unify Entertainment Control and Home Automation Experiences". Universal Electronics. 2019-01-02. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  4. niharikagorur (2019-01-02). "Universal Electronics and Microsoft collaborate on a turnkey digital assistant platform for the Smart Home". QuickSet Cloud. Retrieved 2019-02-08.
  5. Technology, Ecolink Intelligent. "Ecolink Intelligent Technology". Ecolink Intelligent Technology. Retrieved 2017-02-03.
  6. "About Us - One For All". UEI.com. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  7. "UEI Contact page". UEI.com. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  8. "Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI)". The ZigBee Alliance. zigbee.org. Retrieved 2016-12-08.
  9. "Universal Electronics' UE878 Dual RF Chip Powers TiVo's New RF4CE Advanced Voice Remote Control Solution". Retrieved 2018-10-11.
  10. "UEI: Global Manufacturing".
  11. "Universal Electronics - Press - Universal Electronics Delivers New Advanced Voice Control Remote for AirTV Player (January 3, 2017)". www.uei.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  12. "Member Directory | Bluetooth Technology Website". www.bluetooth.com. Retrieved 2017-01-09.
  13. "Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) - The ZigBee Alliance". www.zigbee.org. Retrieved 2016-10-04.
  14. "QuickSet Cloud Developer Portal". developer.quicksetcloud.com. Retrieved 2017-01-10.
  15. "Zilog Sells Off Two Product Lines (February 19, 2009)".
  16. "Universal Electronics makes smart home bid with Ecolink acquisition". 2015-08-05.
  17. Jacobson, Julie. "Universal Electronics (UEI) Grows Home Automation Biz, Acquires Smart Thermostat Maker RCS". www.cepro.com. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
  18. Pedersen, Erik. "Technology & Engineering Emmy Winners Announced". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  19. Cadell, Cate (2021-10-08). "EXCLUSIVE US electronics firm struck deal to transport and hire Uyghur workers". Reuters. Retrieved 2021-10-08.
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