Yasser Khattak is a 19-year-old entrepreneur whose idea could help the UK save an estimated £1.7 billion by evolving one of the most familiar devices in our homes: the power switch. His platform, Den, connects the traditional wall switch to the internet. Once connected, Den lets users control devices intuitively—turning them on and off as needed—using a network of sensors.
Effort was made to advance the technology behind the conventional switch without changing its fundamental design, to keep the learning curve minimal.
Khattak began his entrepreneurial journey early. At 15, while still studying for his GCSEs, he used a £100 loan from his father to import headphones, sunglasses, air fresheners, and iPhone cases from China. That first venture returned just under £20,000 and sparked his interest in inventing practical products that solve everyday problems—ambitions he compares to what Dyson achieved with the vacuum cleaner.
Den started from a small idea and has grown into a more comprehensive product. The initial inspiration came from a late-night moment when Khattak had to get out of bed to switch off a light after reading. He wanted to make that small task easier. Since then, Den has developed into a platform that Khattak describes as an “entire information system,” offering not only convenience but also safety benefits for the elderly and children, along with environmental advantages.
The story behind Den draws comparisons to Nest, the smart-home company acquired by Google for $3.2 billion. Like Nest’s thermostat, Den began with a single practical product aimed at making life easier and reducing ongoing energy costs. Asked whether the Internet of Things will lower or raise energy costs, Khattak responds, “With the Internet of Things, we can better monitor energy consumption, act on that data, and create a more efficient environment.”
While Den is not yet officially endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust, the organization has taken notice of its potential impact on reducing energy waste. Richard Kay, Communications Manager at the EST, notes that around £1.7 billion is wasted annually due to appliances being left on standby—old TVs, game consoles, and other devices left running in spare rooms for no real reason.
Den enables users to intuitively power devices on and off as needed through a series of sensors.
From the outset, Khattak focused on enhancing the technology behind the familiar switch without redesigning the interface people know. “Some users don’t want a high-tech look,” he explains. “We designed Den to keep the same interface as a traditional switch. You can still operate it by hand like any ordinary switch, but you also have the option to use it as part of a home automation system.”
Den is entering an emerging market that currently has no single dominant leader. That presents opportunity but also risk: established companies with strong brands—like Nest—could become serious competitors if they introduced similar products. Khattak appears undeterred. He carries a notebook full of ideas and plans to expand Den’s capabilities beyond its initial offerings.
“Our goal is to deliver a complete, efficient ecosystem for the home that extends beyond switches and sockets,” Khattak says. “But before we expand, we want to ensure what we offer is the very best it can be.”
He adds: “The features we’ve revealed publicly are only part of what’s in Den’s pipeline. We have several exciting plans to move forward.”
Den is seeking to raise £300,000 through the Seedrs equity platform to support its next stage of development.
What do you think about Den and the future of home automation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
For anyone interested in the broader Internet of Things landscape, the IoT Tech Expo Europe showcases developments in the field and will take place at London’s Olympia, December 2–3, 2015.