Now, you might have heard of the Internet of Things, but do you know what it is exactly? And how it can impact your life? Like most people, probably not. Let’s dive into what IoT really is and how it has the potential to change the future.
What is the Internet of Things? The Internet of Things is a network of physical internet-connected devices that gather and share data across the network. Anything that features an IP address for internet connectivity can be classed as an IoT device. Take your Apple or Samsung watch, or Google Home, for example – these are IoT devices. You might even be reading this on an IoT device.
Other examples include security systems, thermostats, cars, lights, alarm clocks, speaker systems and electronic appliances. Even some coffee machines are connected to the IoT and can send out alerts when you are almost out of coffee.
Some IoT connected beds monitor your sleep patterns and adjust the temperature for your health and wellbeing. We are in a world where your house can talk to you and make decisions through voice home automation . Yes, it is the real deal, not just something you see in science fiction movies.
How Does IoT Work in Smart Homes? When a home has a range of smart devices that you can control remotely, such as your heating, cooling and oven, you can call it a smart home. These devices can be united into one network. So, you can turn your oven on to preheat half an hour before you are home and have your vacuum cleaner start cleaning while you are at work.
But the excitement begins when the Internet of Things enters the equation. The IoT provides all the gadgets and devices with internet access, giving you the option of broadening your smart home devices and home network. For example, if you are out and about you can see what is happening in your home watching security cameras through your smartphone.
IoT applications allow you to connect your devices so that they can communicate without your involvement. As another example, with Control4 home automation installation, you can say a command like, ‘Hey Google, turn on dinner party’.
The system may interpret this command by queuing your party playlist, dimming the lights and unlocking the front door. It can even raise the volume of the music and start up the fireplace if you want it to later in the evening.
IoT Platforms An IoT platform is an end-to-end software framework. It acts as the glue that unites information from devices, networks, sensors and software. It has the ability to manage devices, allows remote connections to relevant devices, collects and manages data, enables analytics and it integrates with cloud services and IT. Some examples of IoT platforms include Control4 , Savant and Crestron .
Benefits of IoT Smart Home Automation You might be able to turn your air-conditioning on at home before you leave work and your fridge can let you know if you need to add milk to your shopping list, but there are many more benefits to the IoT in your smart home installation.
Your IoT application collects data every day about the way your household runs, processes it and provides you with the most significant insights. Let’s take a look at some benefits.
Energy and Cost Savings With an IoT platform, you will receive detailed statistics about the energy consumption and work of each smart device. That way you can optimise each device’s usage and adjust your settings to be more cost-effective.
You can even program your smart home automation system to do everything on its own, so it will shut down devices, not in use. IoT products are even able to detect when one section of your home has malfunctioned and requires maintenance.
Incorporating IoT in your home design will become more affordable and the smart energy-efficient technology will save you money. Smart energy appliances automatically tackle unnecessary energy usage to help increase savings. And the benefits do not stop here. By saving on your energy you will have a lesser impact on the environment.
Control and Monitoring You can manage all your home devices from one place. This means that all you will need to do is learn how to use one app on your smartphone and tablet, and you will be able to control endless functions and devices throughout your home.
Smart devices will also help you run your appliances better. For example, a smart TV will help you find new and better apps. A smart oven will help you cook your roast to perfection so that your meat isn’t raw, and your potatoes are not charred to a crisp. By connecting your appliances and systems with home automation technology, you will improve your appliance effectiveness and make your life easier.
Better Home Security Incorporating security and surveillance features in your smart home network can improve your security significantly. So many options available including motion and smoke detectors, surveillance cameras and automated door locks, you will be able to activate the whole security system from one mobile device before going to bed. You can monitor activities in real-time whether you are at home or on a beach halfway around the globe.
Comfort and Convenience IoT in smart homes is probably the greatest move towards achieving comfort and convenience at home. It copes with countless tasks while simplifying and improving your life. Numerous processes in your home will run autonomously but you will still have that upper hand of control.
Wrap Up
One day, in the not too distant future, we will find ourselves in a perfectly organised ecosystem of smart home automation devices that communicate to simplify our lives. As the prevalence of IoT solutions continues to grow the cost of smart items will slowly reduce.
While it might take a decade to reach its peak in popularity, why not get prepared and hit the market with an IoT smart home automation now?
Home automation company ,SMARTHOMEWORKS , designs, implements and installs home automation in Sydney and great NSW. Our experts will manage your home automation project, working to the deadline and within budget. We can automate your home no matter how large or small your space is.
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