Keyless technologies that protect a house when the owner is not there, WiFi LED light bulbs a smartphone can control, voice-activated TV controls, or thermostats that programme themselves. These technologies and many similar ones are part of the smart house of the future. A future that is closer than most current home owners might think.
High Competition, More Consumer Choices
The development of fully automated systems connected to the web is something that will make everyone's life simpler. Heating, locks, lights, and even garden watering are all processes and functions that can be controlled with the help of centralised controls or web interface and end-users do not need to be computer- or web-savvy to handle these smart systems. In addition, the competition in the field is pushing development faster than ever. Major players like Apple and Google are pushing the idea of a smart home, creating more alternatives to look into. This means home owners hence have the opportunity to select the most efficient and convenient automated systems for their personal use.
Smart Heating Systems
In terms of smart energy systems, Hive, Nest, Insteon, and Evohome are some of the best money-saving choices to consider.
Using any of them will enable home owners to gain better control over the amount of heating their house uses.
- It is recommended a professional handles the setup of such a smart heating system; a smart thermostat and a wireless hub connected to the broadband router of the house will replace the existing thermostat
- The smart thermostat will then cleverly adjust the temperature. These systems can memorize your daily routine and create a heating plan based around your home
- The sensors they incorporate will prevent the heating system from heating up the home while no one is there
- Desktop computers and smartphones help users manually control the systems
- Some of these systems enable multi-room or multi-zone heating control, as well as the ability to switch off of TVs, lights, toasters, and lamps around the house
Light bulbs As Never Seen Before
The LIFX technology refers to a WiFi enabled, energy efficient LED light bulb that can be controlled with the help of a smartphone.
- LIFX can go black and white TV to full-color HD, transforming the ambience of any home or office with just a few taps
- You can wake up the natural way every morning with the help of automated light increases
- The dimming lights of the system can also improve the quality of the sleep
- The smart light bulbs can easily replace existent bulbs €“ no electricians needed. They last up to 27 years at a 4-hour daily use
The HUE Personal Lighting System uses a special bridge linked to Wi-Fi with the help of a modem.
- The bridge can hold up to 50 different bulbs at once
- Lights can be controlled remotely or be linked to inboxes or news feeds
- Users can program their alarms and timers and select the perfect "Light Recipe"
Bringing Rationality To Smart Home Automation
The Apple HomeKit relies on a database that controls smart home automation. Climate controls, lights, and various automation gadgets can be handled all-at-once with the help of smart engineering developments. Consumers need to define their home and every room around the house, as well as the devices that can be controlled with the help of the system inside the house. These devices can be discovered and configured with the help of the accessory browser on one's iPhone. The same goes for the services each of these accessories will provide. Users can also control their devices when they are not at home.
LittleBits cloudBit offers to connect electronic objects you already own to the web. These special devices enable users to remotely feed their pets or control a camera over the web, to name just a few of their functions.
The deal Google sealed for buying Nest Labs will lead to the development of improved Nest devices that can be even more useful when used together with various smart home gadgets. For instance, the LIFX lights can flash red when a Nest Protect smoke alarm goes off, hence alarming the hearing impaired. Google Now users can control their thermostats using their voices and set customised thermostat adjustment rules before reaching home. At the moment, this is a do-it-yourself feature that requires some work with the apps Tasker and AutoVoice but Google will be bringing this integration on an official basis from this autumn.
Oplink has created WiseHome, a complete Wi-Fi home automation system connecting one's home and ensuring smarter living standards. Enhanced home security features, better safety and surveillance, automation, or home health options are all part of the WiseHome promise. The system uses a mobile-cloud strategy that enables several Smartphone or tablet users to work together and receive video alarms, and gain control over their home devices with just a few taps.
Archos is another smart choice for one's home automation systems. The developer is leveraging on more affordable devices and Android app' ecosystem. The system relies on a network consisting of several wireless devices users will control with the help of an app on their dedicated Archos Smart Home Tablet, or on their remote Android or iOS device.
The need for robust infrastructure has brought Intel, Samsung, Dell, and other tech giants together. They have created the Open Interconnect Consortium which enables a bigger degree of interoperability across all types of smart devices. The industry standard that will soon be created by the OIC will improve device-to-device connectivity. The participants will create a certification program and new IoT protocol specifications, focusing on open-source smart home codes at first.
More Additions To The Smart Home
And the smart features of the smart home of the future do not stop here.
The Tesla Command for Android Wear enables Tesla drivers to easily lock and unlock doors, open the sunroofs, or honk their horns with the help of their Android devices.
- Difficult to access roof windows can also be better controlled with the help of the Velux KSX 100K kit. This kit converts traditional electrical roof windows into cost-effective electric or solar setups, also featuring auto-closing rain sensors
- Smart door locks also come to complete any smart home; they are controlled and managed with the help of iOS, Android, or web apps. They can notify users when certain people come in and out of the house and enable home owner friends to get unlimited, fully-customised digital keys
The future is certainly brighter and smarter than ever and it will enable all devices around the house to talk to each other and significantly make everyone's life easier and a lot more convenient.
