Smart Home Automation

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What can I do with home automation technology?

Home automation systems enable efficient management of a living space. The concept of a house that works for its inhabitants dates back to the electronic doorbell in the 1830s. Today the smart home can do hundreds of useful tasks for you whether you’re inside or outside your four walls.

How does a smart home work?

Sensors and devices connect to a home router which sends notifications to your mobile device when specified actions occur. Apps on your mobile control smart home devices as well. If you’re out of the house, controls and notifications pass through the modem and to your wireless carrier so you can configure home automation devices from anywhere you have a data signal.

What are some home automation examples?

Smart devices automate many facets of home living. Somebody opened the front door? A smart door lock will send an e-mail or push notification. Did you remember to lock up before you left? Your phone will tell you, and you can engage the lock with an app. Someone rang the doorbell? A smart sensor triggers a front door surveillance camera and you can view footage on your smart device. Worried about flooding in the basement? A water leak sensor on the floor detects moisture and pings your phone. Did you forget to turn off the AC before leaving for the day? Adjust your smart thermostat with a mobile application—save energy no sweat.

Do people usually DIY home automation setups?

Home automation systems strive for ease of use. DIY home automation is attainable with basic home network literacy. Imagination is the limit in most instances. Of course you may contract out installation just like any other home improvement tasks.

Smart Home Must-haves

Do you need a special network for home automation?

You need a home network. Broadband modem and (preferably) 802.11ac Wave 2 wireless router get your smart home devices online and talking to your mobile devices used to monitor home conditions. Gain additional control over smart home devices with voice-activated smart hub kits.

What is a Smart Hub?

Standalone smart hubs like Echo by Amazon and Google Home are popular, but there are other options, too. Turn your Windows 10 PC with microphone and speakers into a smart hub with Cortana. If you’re a maker, you might build your own smart hub with a Raspberry Pi or Arduino minicomputers and peripherals like a microphone sensor.

Smart device compatibility

Are smart devices for Echo compatible with Google Home?

Neither supports all devices, but many newer devices work on both. Before you buy smart home devices, check out IoT standards and know what works with your existing network and endpoint applications. Ideally all devices should be speaking the same programming language.

What is AllJoyn? Open-source framework for IoT devices with member Microsoft, Cisco, Panasonic, Sony. What is OIC? A smart device framework with member companies Intel, Samsung, Dell, Cisco. Some AllJoyn devices work with OIC if the manufacturer makes a plugin. Check product details for compatibility.

What devices are best for Mac ecosystems? Any that use the HomeKit software framework proprietary to Apple and operates its ecosystem of products. Apple selects third-party devices that are compatible.

What devices work best with Google Home? Smart devices are programmed with Brillo and Weave. Brillo is Android-based and primarily used in sensors and embedded systems. Weave is middleware for reading Brillo. Weave can read Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the Nest smart device framework Thread.

What are ZigBee devices? ZigBee is a wireless technology standard for low-power, low-bandwidth connected devices. Zigbee products usually are deployed as a full ecosystem of outlets, door locks, HVAC sensors, motion detectors, and surveillance equipment.