With the mercurial rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), there has been a substantial increase in the development of home automation and smart home technologies. What was earlier an expensive proposal or even just a fantasy, is now an affordable option for many homeowners and technology enthusiasts. The key reason for this is the development of consumer devices that can harness wired or wireless internet connectivity as well as improvements in other communications technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC) and Bluetooth.
Just as the large consumer technology companies have entered the industry, consumer appliance manufacturers have also shown significant interest in integrating internet connectivity into some of their products. Fridges, washing machines and other utility based large appliances can now connect to the internet, just like Smart Televisions and Smart Lighting solutions can be controlled remotely via smartphones over a home wireless network.
The benefits of a smart home automation range from convenience and security to energy efficiency and cost saving. All these factors continue to ensure that the home automation sector is steadily flourishing.
So, what will smart home automation look like in the future? Much of this may revolve around data about our appliance usage patterns. Each equipment manufacturer or provider of home automation devices can, in theory, collect all of this data and use it to create flexible modular solutions.
Unlike a few years ago, smart home technologies will become more accessible, integrated and economical to purchase as the industry develops over time and matures into the consumer market. Eventually, all of the automation possibilities will reach a point where one single device is required to control our homes. This may eventually be a communications or control centre of its own, dealing with multitudes of peripheral devices and ensuring they are operating as they should and when they should.
This future would involve trusting computers and robotics to manage our households and all of our habits and data. Security of this data is, therefore, an area that will need to grow with this sector. Ultimately the consumer will always be in charge, programming their personal needs and ensuring that any automation enhances their lifestyle. As technologies improve, automation of certain time-consuming or unproductive tasks will be the norm. In many ways, it seems like future is not distant.
FAQ’s
This question is a bit broad but assuming you are just getting into smart home automation, I’ll recommend some basic, budget-friendly devices to kickstart your smart home journey.
1) Before diving into smart home automation, consider your goals. Do you want to enhance security, save energy or improve convenience? Prioritise what matters most to you.
2) Don’t overwhelm yourself. Begin with a few devices and expand over time. This approach helps you learn and adapt without breaking the bank. Start with one or two devices that address your top priorities.
3) Ensure your devices work together. Most smart home ecosystems support Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Home Assistant or Apple HomeKit. Stick to a single ecosystem initially to avoid compatibility issues.
Here are some inexpensive smart devices to get started:
1) Smart Plugs: These allow you to control regular appliances remotely. Plug in a lamp, fan, or coffee maker and control it via your smartphone or voice commands.
2) Smart Bulbs: Replace existing bulbs with smart ones allowing you to adjust brightness, color and schedules.
3) Smart Doorbell: These provide video monitoring and lets you communicate with visitors via your phone.
4) Smart Security Camera: There are several offerings from various brands today that provide added security without breaking the bank.
5) Voice Assistants: Google Nest Mini or Amazon Echo Dot (5th gen) are examples of affordable smart speakers with built-in assistants that can be used as control hubs.