The device sitting next the alarm clock is a sound monitor. It senses when there is a loud noise and sends a signal. So far this has been the flakiest part of the system. Some mornings the alarm clock sets it off, some mornings it doesn’t. Fortunately it has a manual button on it that you can press to send the signal. This device can be moved around the house to let Lori know that the dryer buzzer is going off, the oven needs her attention, and I use it sometimes to page her because it’s easier than opening every door in the house to find her. Almost as good as a Robowife.