2021 – Home Automation & Smart Technology Enter Indian homes

Home automation means building hard-wired/wireless technology to automate a home, called a smart home. The home is accessible off-site through the internet via an automation system that connects several devices to a central hub or gateway. The homeowner uses either a wall-mounted terminal, a smartphone, a tablet, laptop or desktop computer, a game console, or a Web interface to access these devices. The intelligent devices interconnected through the internet are both convenient and energy-efficient. Today, lights to air-conditioners, home theatres, washing machines, and coffee makers can be remotely-controlled, voice-controlled, or time-controlled. The home automation system monitors and controls home devices for a better ambiance and improved quality of life. 

The Oxford Languages defines smart homes as – “a home equipped with lighting, heating, and electronic devices that can be controlled remotely by smartphone or computer. You can contact your smart home on the internet to make sure the dinner is cooked, the central heating is on, the curtains are drawn, and a gas fire is roaring in the grate when you get home.”  

Now, companies like Schneider Electric, Keus, Samsung are offering the best smart home systems in India. There is a lot to explore under four main categories – entertainment and video, lighting, surveillance, and appliances. So, let’s get started!

What does a smart home have?

 1. Lighting

 A smart lighting network incorporates light switches and light bulbs using one or more central computing devices like a smartphone. It offers brightness sensors and mood lighting according to the ambient light in the room. In addition, it has sensor-based LEDs that switch off when there is no one in a room. Smart lighting solutions are the key to energy saving.

Few Products in Smart Lighting: 

• Wipro WiFi Enabled Smart LED Bulb 
• Smarteefi WiFi Smart Switch Board 
• Wipro Next 20W Smart LED 

2. HVAC

In a smart home, the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) have remote control over the internet, incorporating a friendly user interface. It allows the homeowner to set the temperatures from a mobile device even before entering the house. To have a temperature-controlled, energy-efficient home is a boon in cities like Mumbai.

Few Products in Smart HVAC systems:

• Panasonic 1.5 Ton 5-star WIFI air conditioner
• Daikin 1 Ton 5 star wifi enabled ac
• Dyson Air Purifier

3. Security

A smart doorbell allows homeowners to see and communicate with people who come to their doors even if they are not home. It can also alert the homeowner if there is any movement in the home during his absence. Some home security systems enable central locking of all perimeter doors and windows, while others cover a wider area and record even in low-light conditions.

Few Products in Smart Security Systems:

• Secureye HD Smart WiFi Wireless IP CCTV Security Camera 
• Qubo Smart WiFi Wireless Video Doorbell from Hero Group 
• Google Nest Cam

4. Appliances

Smart appliances are all part of the internet of things (IoT) technology. Today, smart refrigerators can tell you how often you access them, alert you if a door is left open, let you know what products you need to buy, or just stream TV. There are also washing machines that automatically switch to solar power, ovens controlled through Alexa, slow cookers, coffeepots, and even trash cans to control odor. Today, voice control devices like Amazon Alexa or Google Home control home appliances.

Few Products in Smart Appliances: 

• Samsung 657 L with Inverter Side-by-Side Refrigerator (RS74T5F01B4)
• Wellspire Multi Cooking Pot Smart Electric Pressure Cooker 
• Tidy Up Smart Bin

5. Home entertainment 

Smart home entertainment has TVs, projectors, audio speakers, and streaming devices that are easy to control and monitor through your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Since the equipment syncs with a single mobile application or remote, it offers the perfect way to enjoy the superior sound, stunning 4K video, and an incredible entertainment experience in every room throughout the house.

Few Products in Smart Home Entertainment: 

• Bose Smart Speaker
• Sony Home Theatre
• Apple TV 4K

6. Energy Saving

Smart home automation systems provide energy-saving by properly programming lighting, fans, and air conditioners. They turn off lights using motion sensors, use a programmable mode to control room temperatures, automatically down the shades if there is too much sunlight and decrease energy drain through standby modes.

Few Products in Smart Home Entertainment:

• Portronics smart Charger
• Wipro Wi-Fi Smart Plug with Energy Monitoring
• Programmable Thermostats

7. Safety

Cameras and motions detectors allow you to view and control your home anytime, from anywhere. Also, smart gadgets detect a water leak, a gas leak, carbon monoxide in the air, or fire and alert you on your mobile device. All this provides an extra layer of safety in your home.

Few Products for Safe Homes:

• WiFi Gas Detector Alarm
• Smart Water Leakage Detector
• Intelligent Intercom System

8. Elderly care

Intelligent home solutions for the elderly include features like wearable devices, voice-controlled entertainment, sensor-controlled lighting, medical reminders through smart speakers, home security through cameras, and more. A smart home automates tasks, eases communication, and keeps the elders safe.

Few Products for Elderly care:

• Motion sensor lights
• Smart Control Hub
• Security Camera 

9. Pet care

Automated pet care products help you keep an eye on your furry friend even while you are at work. There are GPS trackers, pet cameras for safety, automatic pet feeders for mealtime, pet hubs for mental stimulation, noise-filtering crates, and self-cleaning litter boxes. Even dog-walking robots may be a reality soon.

Few Smart Products in Pet Care:

• Automatic Cat Feeder
• WiFi Smart Pet Security Camera
• GPS Trackers 

10. Home Outdoors

Smart homes not only automate the indoor spaces but gardens and garages too. There are garden projectors for movie nights, robotic lawnmowers, Alexa-controlled sprinkler systems, plant monitors, outdoor lights, sensor garage doors, and even weather updates, all just a click away.

Few Smart Products for Home Outdoors:

• WiFi Sprinklers
• Auto Day/Night Garden lights
• Outdoor Movie Projector

What are the advantages and disadvantages of home automation?

Advantages

• Programmable to your needs.
• It can be customized to include as many products.
• Easy to install 
• Saves energy
• Offers better safety and security. 

Disadvantages

• Products come at a higher price.
• Non-tech and elderly persons may find it hard to adapt to it initially. 
• Need strong internet connectivity

Global Home Automation Market is valued at USD 57.17 Billion in 2020 and is estimated to reach USD 124.03 Billion by 2027. In India, new home buyers are opting for automated homes. These smart homes are customized with the latest technology to suit their lifestyle. Living spaces are becoming hi-tech, user-friendly, secure, and energy-efficient. Smart homes are India’s future housing!

(Note: The product links provided in this blog are used by the Author to solely to explain the topic. They are not intended for advertising purpose)