Call it the desire to innovate or sheer laziness that gave rise to automation. And now it is transforming our lives in incredible ways. It is no longer a dream to connect the entire home through smart devices and then control it through a single app on our smartphones. Look back to a few decades ago, when people couldn't even imagine controlling devices remotely.
Automation has taken everything we could have imagined to the next level – Thanks to the Internet of Things, smart homes are now a reality. These top 10 home automation ideas prove how comfortable our lives have become.
1. Smart Lighting for Home and Office
Smart lighting solutions control lighting in homes and offices dynamically through interconnected devices and come with high-efficiency luminaires. Tip smart bulbs and lighting with motion detectors can automatically turn lights on or off. The sensors determine occupancy, daylight and movement and can also store energy to be used during blackouts. You can even simulate sunrise using smart lighting solutions and create stunning lighting scenes.
2. Smart Security Solutions
Smart home security devices combine with wireless devices like smartphones and help you access the CCTV stream for accurate surveillance when you're away from home. In case of a possible intrusion, you can program the lights and lock/unlock the doors using door sensors. The interesting thing is that you can even fool intruders by pretending to be busy. Due to the efficient security options, these devices are gaining popularity among working parents who need to leave children and pets alone at home.
3. Smart Thermostat
This new invention helps you control your temperature, taking cues from your habits. Enable/disable air conditioning and heaters to be controlled remotely and you can turn them on before you even enter your home. As scary as it may seem to some, the smart thermostat remembers your habits and automatically adjusts to your needs to change the room temperature.
Want to know how energy efficient you have been? It also generates energy consumption reports for your reference and helps you save energy.
4. Smart Garage Door Closers
These smart devices are designed to close garage doors if you leave them open or open them when you need to leave the house. There are input sensors, location and timing triggers that increase the overall usability of the device. You can install motion presence or entry sensors and triggers to control your garage doors. Equipped with remote controls that use extraordinary technology, garage door closers are integrated into your home's smart hub. Some of these devices can even turn off your lights and music and also turn on your alarm system as soon as you leave the house.
5. Smart Health Monitoring Devices
With our increasing focus on wellness, smart health monitoring devices are taking the fitness world by storm. Devices equipped with Programmable Logic Controller are necessary to connect healthcare devices to your home and also to your smartphones. Most health monitoring devices or wearables work through sensors and help detect health problems.
These devices are very useful for those who need constant supervision from nurses and also for their loved ones to keep a record of the elderly person's health status. Recliners are also available which adapt to the user's body to avoid posture problems. So you can say goodbye to back pain now.
6. Leak Detectors
It's common to come home after a long vacation and find leaking pipes and damaged interiors. Well, that won't happen if you have automatic leak detectors installed near sinks and water outlets. Leak detectors come with moisture sensors and can help block the leak to prevent further damage. Place detectors close to the location with the greatest leak variations for best results. Hit them with smart water valves to create an electronic water shutoff system when the moisture detector does its job.
7. Smart Alarms for Laundry and Folding Machines
A few decades ago, fully automatic washing machines were the latest, but we've come a long way since then. Now, smart apps can send you notifications as soon as your laundry is done. Forget the machine bells that we often miss. Vibration sensors detect when the machine is off. Remove dry clothes and place them in specialized machines that iron and fold your clothes. Life couldn't be easier than that.
8. Disaster prevention devices
While intruders are undoubtedly a problem, other dangers you may face include smoke, fire, and gas leaks. Smoke detectors are available in two varieties – photoelectric and ionization detectors. Free-flowing ions keep the alarm silent, but smoke particles fill the alarm, restricting the movement of ions, causing the alarm to go off. Smart alarms send notifications to connected devices and can be programmed to also inform the fire department and emergency services, helping to save lives.
9. Automated fireplaces
The glow of a fireplace is comforting and relaxing. Someone imagined an automated fireplace and made it a reality. Automated fireplaces work with motion sensors and turn on and off according to room occupancy. They can also detect when the temperature drops below a certain threshold and can automatically turn on to heat the home and keep occupants warm.
10. Entertainment Automation
Get into the groove when you get home after a tiring day with your smart television and music devices. You can play your favorite music with a simple touch on the wall keypad or play your TV at preset times so you don't miss your favorite shows.
You can also install mirrors that stream Facebook and Instagram posts while you get ready. Not only that, the floors can transform into projectors to entertain children with interesting games. With speakers installed in every room and even in the bathrooms, you can control the devices using your smartphone and set the mood for the day. It is no exaggeration to call these devices smart. Afterwards they all made our lives smart without hassle and fun.