This is a demonstration of a smart vent which can be controlled remotely using a home WiFi network. By sending messages to the vents in a home, a controller can independently control the airflow to different rooms, allowing users to set different temperatures for different rooms in their houses. This can be used to save money by conditioning only spaces in the home that are in active use. It can also improve occupant comfort by directing air to the spaces that need to be heated or cooled.
http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~klingens/