By Guest Blogger: Arindam Paul
The key component of smart homes and home automation is the Internet of Things (IoT). It has allowed us to connect our devices and home appliances with each other with the help of internet. Not only does it connect your smart devices, but everyday home appliances such as lights, doorbells, fans, windows, and clocks can also be controlled by smart technology. All of these devices can connect, communicate, take your commands, and send you information while at the same time perform their key function.
The term home automation means the ability to control gadgets in your house with a simple voice command or tap on your smartphone. To some it may seem unnecessary to invest in a device that performs everyday functions in a home but controlling these features automatically actually saves you money and conserves energy in the long run.
Here are some of the top smart home devices taking the technology world by storm.
Security Devices
Many families are choosing to splurge on top security devices and cameras to ensure a safer home. With tons of options available, you can install home automation systems such as automated door locks, surveillance cameras, motion detectors, and other security devices in your home and activate them through your smartphone. These gadgets come with sensors that can automatically notify of a break in or any suspicious activity.
The Nest Cam is a popular surveillance camera for in-house, as well as, outdoor safety. The outdoor version has a weatherproof shield to protect the mechanism from any weather damage. The camera is installed with hi-tech features, such as Wi-Fi, so you can monitor the real-time activities in your home. You can also opt for the Tend Secure Lynx Indoor camera which has features such as motion-triggered notification and recordings, free cloud storage, night vision facial recognition and two-way audio system.
Temperature Control
The temperature in your home can be controlled with the help of a smart thermostat. An automated thermostat has been shown to cut your energy bill down to almost half of the usual cost. A smart thermostat can save energy by turning cooling and heating on and off depending on the temperature preferences and weather outside.
The Nest Learning Thermostat is a great option. It comes with a built-in Wi-Fi network so that you can control the temperature from your tablet, PC, or smartphone. It has features such as touchscreen display, furnace monitor, geofencing support, and motion sensors that give an accurate reading.
A Hands-Free Faucet
A hands-free faucet lets you turn the water on or off without touching the device. This technology allows people to activate the trigger of the faucet with the wave of a hand. It not only creates a mess-free environment, it also saves money and water, whereas a normal faucet will continue to run until you turn it off. You can modernize your kitchen and bathroom with the hands-free activation technology and it will be an upgraded feature that future homeowners are sure to love. You can find these faucets in many colors and designs to match the look of your surrounding.
Bright lighting
Sensor systems and smart lighting allow you to switch the light on or off with the help of a smartphone. The action can be customized to give a more personalized experience to the user, such as gradient lighting as you wake up or turning off the lights when you leave the home. It is a win-win convenience factor for days when you are traveling and can’t physically turn off the lights.
The Philips Hue bulbs deliver the best in class light intensity and also changing the color. You can buy the Hue ecosystem and connect it with the other devices in your home. With the help of a home automation system (Amazon Alexa or Google Home), you can easily control the lighting, once again resulting in saving more money and conserving energy.
Smart Cooking
To build a smart home, your kitchen appliances must also be smart to enable you to have safe and efficient cooking experience. A smart countertop oven with features such as Wi-Fi and artificial intelligence will help you stay connected with the cooking process, and you can easily monitor the activity without any manual input. For example, the June Smart oven allows you to pop in the food you want to cook, wait until the oven identifies the dish and asks for further instructions such as how you’d like to cook it, and you are done. You can cook meat, fish, vegetables, and any other food item in it.
Homeowners will love the convenience and efficiency that smart technology brings to connected homes. Saving money and conserving energy, on top of making life just a bit easier, makes any of these smart devices an extremely smart purchase.
About the Author: Arindam Paul is a founding member of Atomberg Technologies, a startup working towards creating unique energy efficient and tech-savvy products. He is currently heading the Marketing and Long-Term Strategy division at Atomberg and is aiming to disrupt the world of household appliances.