How Internet of Things Has Been the Revolution Behind Home Automation

Introduction to Home Automation Technology

Home automation, which is mainstream nowadays, used to be a pipe dream just a decade ago. The current revolution of automated homes has the rapid development of Internet of Things technology (IoT for short) in the last decade. Microprocessors in home appliances and non-computing devices are the heart of IoT we see around us, and many popular home automation systems such as Control4 Home Automation System makes extensive use of these technologies.

What is IoT?

Internet of Things is a technology which allows non-computing devices to have basic to advanced computing facilities for simple automation tasks. Most of these devices are interconnected to one another via wireless internet (Wi-Fi) and can be controlled by a central application or device, which can either be a control tablet or via smartphone apps. IoT devices contain simple microprocessors, sensors, software and internet modules for them to be able to perform automated tasks efficiently and quickly.

IoT is not limited to just home appliances. Things like automobiles and physical commercial devices such as industrial machines also are equipped with IoT for automation and data processing.

Components of Smart Homes

Smart homes are a network of interconnected devices that communicate with each other wirelessly. Common components of an automated home system like Control4 Home Automation consist of:

• Smart Locks: Smart locks use advanced lock methods such as pin, passwords, and biometric scanners rather than the old-school lock and key system. These allow your home to have keyless entry system, making the locks more secure and more difficult to break open unlike conventional key-based locks. They are connected to the internet for you to remotely lock and unlock them with convenience.

• Temperature Control: Most modern thermostats and HVAC systems have IoT built in, allowing you to easily connect them to your existing home automation system. This makes it easier to control your temperature in-home or remotely without the need to be physically around the device.

• Media Systems: Almost every TV and media devices sold today are smart devices with IoT, allowing you to seamlessly control media playback via an app or central control device without having to use the physical remote control provided with the device.

• Security Systems: Common smart home security solutions include CCTV cameras, motion sensors and smoke detectors that can remotely notify you in case something is wrong or in case of an intruder remotely, even if you are away from home, over the internet.

• Smart Lights: Smart lights and bulbs save a lot of energy due to low power consumption, and can be turned off or on automatically via IoT apps. Many lights even allow you to change color to any color in RGB spectrum for a personalized experience.