The Internet of Things (IoT) has been in the focus since its invention. And, smart home automation is one of its disruptive amalgamations.
Do you know why?
Let’s see these IoT-based home automation statistics to understand it more:
This clearly states that the smart home automation market is growing and we can see that it has already started impacting our lives.
Let’s understand what, why and how around IoT and smart home automation.
What is IoT?
Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices with the network connection. These physical devices include everything from home appliances to vehicles. These physical devices connect and exchange data while embedded in the various sensors, software, electronics, actuators, and connectivity.
What is Smart Home Automation?
Well, whenever we hear something about smart home automation, we think of automating the home-based tasks. But, that is not actually the same.
A home automation means developing a smart automated system for a home that takes the charge to control the home appliances, security systems, lighting, entertainment systems, and climate over the Internet connection.
And, this is definitely an IoT product.
Why We See IoT-based Smart Home Automation is Impacting Our Lives?
Earlier, if people would have talked about something similar, then we would have considered it a joke. But, with emerging technologies like embedded systems, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, etc. home automation using IoT becomes quite obvious.
Our homes are surrounded by the electronic devices- everything from a television to CCTV cameras. These devices become IoT when used in connection with various software and the Internet connection.
Let’s dive into some stats that defines the impact of smart home automation using IoT in our lives:
- 63% of a survey respondents said the security of their family is motivating them to adopt smart home automation
- While planning to buy smart home automation products, 40% want network cameras, 26% are looking for video doorbell, 19% are looking for a connected light bulb and 13% want a smart lock
- When asked about the top 3 devices, people would want to be controlled via their smartphones, 62% responded it to be a video camera, 54% for both- thermostat and lighting.
- In 2015, the global smart thermostat unit sales grew by 123% (Source)
- By 2018, there will be approximately 759.3 million connected TV sets globally (Source)
- By 2023, the smart lighting market is expected to reach 105.28 billion U.S. dollars (Source)
Looking at the above smart home automation statistics, it feels that we have already started utilizing the home automation devices like it has become a need.
IoT Home Sensors for Home Automation: What Are They?
IoT sensors have the potential to significantly enhance our quality of life and make our homes safer. Smart motion controllers can tell if someone is getting close to your house. The app can alert users of any animal or human intruders.
When residents leave their homes at night and in certain weather conditions, such as rain or a storm, smart controllers in the network ensure that all of the windows and doors are shut. With the help of smart home automation using IoT controllers, you can customize the lighting, humidity, and temperature to your liking. You can avoid carbon monoxide poisoning by using sensors that can detect it. Smoke controllers make it easier to keep your home safe from fire.
How IoT and Smart Home Automation will Change the Way We Live?
Now that we know about the IoT and home automation and how it impacts our lives, Let us know how IoT & smart automation change we live. By enabling everyday devices to collect and exchange data and connecting them to the Internet, the Internet of Things (IoT) rapidly alters our way of life.
We can, among other things, track our health, control our appliances, and monitor our homes with the Internet of Things. Additionally, this technology is being utilized in the manufacturing and transportation sectors to increase safety and efficiency. The Internet of Things (IoT) can potentially change how we live, work, and interact with the world. Let’s understand the change IoT is bringing to make our homes smarter.
What are the benefits of home automation using IoT?
Let’s discuss the major advantages of home automation using IoT:
1. Increases home security
Like we discussed above, many people have taken smart home technology a serious thing when it comes adding security to the homes.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and intelligent home automation can aid in protecting our homes. Having IoT-based security systems keeps you informed about any person moving around or trying to enter the home without having access. We can remotely monitor our homes and be notified of suspicious activity through sensors and cameras. These security systems can also be automated to turn on and off at specific times of the day.
2. Savings on bills
The way we are consuming the various energies, we are likely to lose them in the near future and nothing would be left for our future generation.
Home automation using IoT becomes extremely a necessity with a smart lighting and energy application. This device can be set up in such a way that if one device is instructed to shut down, other devices can also start the shutdown processes.
Also, if you have forgotten switching off the lights or water supply, you can switch off all of them using your mobile app and save the huge amount on bills.
3. Control all functions remotely
Smart home automation using IoT helps you keep all of your IoT devices integrated in such a way that it can exchange data with each other and communicate easily and faster.
A Sense Of Calm
Using IoT to automate your home can give you peace of mind. You can monitor your home from a distance when you’re away using intelligent devices, receive notifications of unusual activity, and even automate some tasks, so you don’t have to worry about them.
Personalization
Using the Internet of Things (IoT) home automation, you can customize your home to meet your specific requirements and preferences. You can customize the temperature, music, lighting, and other settings. You can even set different settings for different times of the day.
Hence, it becomes easy to control them remotely from anywhere at any time.
There are many other benefits of home automation using IoT, but these are the major ones that help you keep your home safe, controlled and in budget.
What Are The Workings Of An IoT-Based Automation System?
Now that we have a clear picture of IoT and smart automation, it’s time for us to know how IoT changes the way we live, and to know this, we need to delve deeper into the IoT-based automation system working model.
1. Initial Setup
The architecture of an IoT automation system is intricate and includes sensors on remote servers. The servers in the cloud can handle multiple sensors at once. Communication protocols for IoT sensors include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and Z-Wave. The system’s primary component is a controller, hub or gateway.
Ethernet is used to connect it to the home router. This centralized gateway is used to send and receive commands from the sensors. After that, the gateway sends this data to the cloud. Because of this, all devices are connected and can set up a desired sequence of actions. An app can also remotely monitor IoT devices because of their interconnectedness.
2. Connection to the Cloud
You can access IoT devices from anywhere because the data is maintained and stored in the cloud over the Internet. No matter how far away you are from your home, sending commands to the hub is always possible. After receiving the command, the hub initiates the requested action by sending a signal to the sensors. The hub then provides pertinent information by updating the device’s status.
3. Notifications and Monitoring In Real-Time
The Internet links the hub to the cloud network. You can plan triggered actions and keep an eye on routine schedule updates. The input is received by the cloud network and delivered to the hub. After that, the hub transmits it to the sensor, initiating the action. You are immediately notified of the system’s altered state after that. No modifications to your smart devices will go unnoticed.
4. Integration Using IF This Then That (IFTTT)
With the help of the IFTTT otherwise known as IF This Then That) integration, you can place up subsequent actions. The action will only be carried out if the IF criteria are met. For instance, the windows automatically close when the sensors detect rain or snow to safeguard your home.
What are the IoT applications that can be used in your smart home?
Following are the IoT applications that you can use to make your home smarter than ever:
1. Smart home appliances like oven, refrigerator
2. Smart home security systems
3. Smart home thermostat systems
4. Smart door locks
5. Smart entertainment systems like TV sets, speakers, etc.
6. Smart switches
7. Smart air and water quality monitoring
8. Smart lawn/gardening management
These are the types of IoT applications that you can use in your home automation.
Closing Thoughts
IoT devices make your home smarter that helps you add more convenience, control, and conservation of your home devices. We are currently looking smart home technology as a comfort now, but soon, there will be a time when it will become a need for each home. And, this is how IoT-based home automation have impacted our lives and is going to impact more.
