Smart Home – a necessity or just laziness?
What is a Smart Home?
In short, this is a dwelling equipped with devices that can automatically perform the tasks that people usually do. Devices are controlled using apps in phones and tablets, voice commands, as well as automation and artificial intelligence. The occupant of the house can optionally program the operation of cameras, motion sensors, lighting, thermostats, blinds, and even household appliances. The devices are connected via a wireless connection:
ZigBee or Z-Wave;
ANT;
Bluetooth;
Wi-Fi;
There is also a wired connection and it is considered to be even more reliable and secure. However, it has one drawback – the price. It will take tens of thousands of dollars to install such a system, so a wired connection is rarely used.
Why do people need a Smart Home:
More and more people are turning their homes into Smart homes. According to experts, by 2022, the global home automation market will be estimated at $ 53.5 billion. But what if it’s just a fashion statement? Are such systems really convenient, efficient and, in principle, necessary for a comfortable stay? Or are people too lazy to turn on the lights? Let’s look at what causes a person to automate the house:
Save energy and money: artificial intelligence closely monitors what is happening in the apartment and immediately responds to changes. It keeps the temperature at a comfortable level, including heating and air conditioning systems, turns off household appliances and light bulbs if no one uses them. This definitely reduces energy bills;
Comfort: most people want to live in comfort and a Smart Home provides this opportunity. Don’t want to get up to turn on the light? Install a system that supports voice commands. Do you want to Wake up to the aroma of freshly brewed espresso in the coffee machine? And this is not a problem for a Smart Home. And if this seems to you just laziness and pampering, then think about the disabled and the elderly, for whom even the most banal thing can be fraught with difficulties;
Security: of course, you can install a normal alarm system, but automation allows you to connect cameras, lights, motion sensors, and a doorbell. You will be able to monitor what is happening in the house. In addition, you will no longer torment yourself with thoughts about whether you forgot to turn off the iron;
Routine work at home: Smart Home allows you to reduce the housework that takes up such a huge amount of time and effort. You can program the robot vacuum cleaner to clean at a certain time, turn on the washing machine on the way home from work, or even command the refrigerator to order food that is running out;
Entertainment: Smart Home will tell you the news, weather forecast, find a movie to suit your mood, or turn on music;
Unfortunately, this system also has disadvantages, the main of which are hackers who can break into the security system. But there are still more positive aspects and home automation looks very promising.