In today’s sophisticated era, humans continue to develop products to facilitate all aspects of life, including comfort while at home. Maybe at first, only some products or tools were developed, until now almost all products related to household appliances have become systems that we can enjoy today. The development of technology has brought about major changes in everyday life, including the way we live and interact with our homes which is through the concept of a smart home system.
A smart home system is a home automation system that allows users to control household devices such as lights, thermostats, security cameras, door locks, and other electronic devices over the internet. This control can be done remotely using a smartphone, tablet, or even voice commands through a virtual assistant such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, or Apple Siri.
The main concept of a smart home is integration. Devices that were previously stand-alone can now communicate with each other and work automatically based on predetermined scenarios or based on data they collect in real-time. In this writing, we will introduce you to some of the various types of devices commonly used in smart home systems:
1. Smart Lighting
This device allows you to control your home lighting automatically such as setting for turning on or off at the specific times, adjusting the light colours, remote-controlling via smartphone’s application or voice commands, even automatic moving object detection. This device usually utilizes radio frequency technology such as Bluetooth, WIFI, or ZigBee.
2. Smart Air Conditioner
This device allows you to control your home air conditioning automatically such as programming the operational time, adjusting the temperature based on the weather condition, remote-controlling via smartphone’s application, even monitoring the energy consumption. This device usually utilizes radio frequency technology such as Bluetooth or WIFI.
3. Smart Refrigerator
This equipment comes with some additional sophisticated features which traditional refrigerator does not have. Smart refrigerator can be connected with smartphone’s application to allow user to check the inside of the fridge. Even some models also have integrated display to show your agenda or other entertainment functions.
This equipment usually utilizes WIFI to connect with your smartphone.
4. Smart Washing Machine
With your smart washing machine, you will be able to wash your laundry flexibly whenever you want. Do you need your washing to be ready at a specific time? No problem! Simply start your smart washing machine using the Home Connect application at the time that suits you best. You can also trigger special stain programs with your smartphone or tablet. Additional control tips in the application ensure an environmentally friendly washing cycle with a consistently fresh result. This equipment usually utilizes WIFI to connect with your smartphone.
5. Smart Door Lock
This device has replaced traditional locking system with digital locking system which allow you to lock or unlock using finger print or tap card, to give temporary access for guest using digital code, to record the access history, to integrate with other home security system such as alarm or security camera. This device usually utilizes radio frequency technology such as NFC, Bluetooth, or WIFI.
6. Smart Security Camera
This device is not only used to record the activities around the house, it also has the other useful features such as live streaming via smartphone’s application, motion detection with automatic notification, cloud storage for the recorded videos, two-way audio to talk via camera’s live streaming application. This device usually utilizes WIFI or for some models may also use cellular networks.
7. Smart Speaker
This device is not only used for listening to the music, it also can be used as the smart control system to integrate with the other smart home devices using voice command assistant such as Google Assistant, Alexa or Siri. This device usually utilizes radio frequency technology such as Bluetooth or WIFI.
8. Smart Plug
This device allows you to control some connected electrical devices such as fans, heaters, rice cookers by setting the operational time schedule and monitoring the energy consumption This device usually WIFI to connect with home router.
Benefits of Smart Home Systems
Convenience and Efficiency: Users no longer need to turn devices on or off manually. Smart homes can automatically control everything.
Better Security: The system can provide immediate notification if suspicious activity occurs.
Energy Savings: Smart homes help reduce energy consumption by optimizing the use of household devices.
Remote Monitoring: Users can monitor and control their homes from anywhere. This is especially helpful for those who travel frequently or work away from home.