In today’s fast-paced world, the demand for convenience and efficiency is higher than ever. Fortunately, with the continuous advances in technology, such a demand is easy to meet. One area where people expect the biggest progress in connectivity and automation is their own homes. Indeed, home automation has become the new norm among homeowners.
Home automation systems have revolutionized how we view and interact with our living spaces. Such technology has become a complete game-changer, changing everything we know about managing houses, from home security to controlling entertainment units and temperature levels.
As technology continues to advance, numerous companies are rushing to fill the emerging market. These businesses are paving the way for anyone with cutting-edge home automation products and brilliant ideas, transforming living spaces into smart houses.
Yet, the demand only keeps on rising. In the last year alone, home automation market revenue was $45.6 Billion. In ten years, the market is expected to reach around $136.5 Billion. It means an almost 11% CAGR growth within a decade.
Overall, smart home solutions aim at enhancing people’s homes and daily routines while increasing energy and safety efficiency. Such a requirement will only grow stronger with time, as the technology will become increasingly available to a larger public.
So, in this article, we will explore the great variety of smart devices for your home, their purposes, benefits, and the processes behind their creation along with the great potential such technology holds for homeowners and businesses. Here is what you need to know about developing a home automation solution.
What is home automation?
Home automation refers to modern technological advances that allow the automatization of certain home functions and device control. It involves integrating electronic appliances, HVAC systems, security systems, and others. Such integration creates a single platform, allowing easy control over essential home functions.
Overall, a home automation system aims at enhancing the convenience and efficiency of all functions and operations within a household.
How does home automation work?
Home automation solutions are possible due to the integration of various devices and other components within a home. Their integration occurs within a single central system, which interprets, collects, and processes collected data. It utilizes wireless connectivity systems such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Z-Wave for communication and connection among the devices and the central platform.
The connected devices can be accessed through control software available on smartphones, computers, or special control panels. Via such applications, users can remotely set up preferred features and functions, such as access control to multiple users, automation rules, schedule activities, monitoring updates and statuses, etc. Such settings give working protocols to the devices and help them respond to changing environments, time, motion, or other triggers.
In addition, most smart home applications recognize one or several popular voice assistants, depending on the platform. Thus, users can utilize voice commands to work with an automation system.
Another essential component of a home automation system is cloud services. They facilitate synchronization across devices and enable additional features like data analytics, device status, and remote diagnosis.
Benefits of home automation
The goal of home automation technology is in improving the quality of our domestic lives in any possible way. It replaces the need to complete most mundane things while replacing them with effective and effortless alternatives.
So, there is a wide range of benefits, or rather reasons, to install a smart home system.
Convenience
Smart home automation is all about convenience. It allows users to control many of their home functions with ease, using only single software. Once you’ve set all your preferences, your home operates as a welcoming, accommodating host. Hence, such a system simply helps you relax without being distracted by everyday mundane tasks.
Overall, smart solutions bring manual operations inside your house to a minimum, allowing you to save time and enjoy yourself at home.
Energy efficiency
A smart home automation system can be a great solution to driving your bills down without much effort. Smart energy devices, including HVAC systems and lighting, will operate based on your needs. Users can program the system to decrease home heating when they are at work and increase it upon their return.
The system can also make independent judgments based on the outside and inside temperature, humidity levels, etc. Such energy use is much more practical and efficient. It helps optimize energy usage around the house without any discomfort or sacrifices for the owners. Ultimately, lower usage will mean lower costs, which makes smart devices worth their money.
Improved home security
Perhaps, the majority of home automation software resides in the security sector. Such devices help homeowners monitor their residences from any place at any time.
Overall, smart security systems allow users to surveil their houses and surrounding territories by using motion detectors, intruder alerts, and other sensors. As a result, users receive instant alerts on their phones, prompting immediate actions in response to a threat.
Increased safety
Beyond security, people can also upgrade the safety conditions of their homes. Thus, many smart devices prevent and alert about any potential hazards around the house.
For instance, there are fire and gas detectors that can send alerts to users’ phones informing them of danger. Homeowners can also use automated lighting tools to deter potential intruders when on a long trip.
Customization and personalization
Home automation software allows users to customize and personalize their living space according to their preferences. Such benefits foster a sense of comfort and enjoyment by catering to your basic needs of safety, shelter, and comfort.
Remote monitoring and control
Another significant advantage is remote access. People can control all home and appliance functions, receive notifications, and check the statuses of various systems by simply opening their smartphones. In addition, users can rely on voice assistance features to enjoy a hands-free user experience.
Home automation ideas for every room in the house
These are examples of some of the best home automation ideas.
1. Entryway
Smart locks: For entrance doors or every room in the house, this device can ensure higher security and easy locking and unlocking without a physical key.
Examples: August Wi-Fi Smart Lock, Wyze Lock.
Smart doorbells: By using this smart home technology, users will always know who is by their door, even when they are not home. Smart doorbells can react to movement, record or streamline videos, and allow you to communicate with visitors regardless of if you are home or not.
Examples: Arlo Wired Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2.
Home security systems: Wireless security systems can be a powerful addition to your home protection. Such systems can send alerts about motion or attempted intrusion (via the door and window sensors), notify the authorities, record videos, and more.
Examples: Vivint, SimpliSafe.
2. Living room
Entertainment and media: Home automation systems can create centralized control over audio and video devices, allowing users to manage media content throughout their homes. Hence, users can integrate their TV, sound system, streaming devices, etc., to have seamless control over home entertainment.
Examples: Logitech Harmony Elite, Sony A95K OLED TV.
Smart gaming ambience: Smart LED light strips can enhance your experience while gaming, listening to music, or watching TV. It can be synchronized with in-game events or audio, creating dynamic lighting effects.
Smart lighting: Smart bulbs or light strips with remote control can contribute to an enhanced relaxing experience in your living room. Use your voice or mobile app to change light color, dim or brighten the light, turn it on/off, and more.
Examples: Wyze Bulb Color, Philips Hue.
Motorized curtains or blinds: Automate the opening and closing of curtains or blinds to adjust natural light or create privacy.
Examples: Lutron Serena smart shades.
3. Kitchen
Smart appliances: Homeowners can benefit from having smart ovens, refrigerators, toasters, coffee makers, and more. These appliances can be controlled remotely or automated to work at specific times.
Examples: R180 Toaster, Instant Pot Smart Wifi.
Motion-activated counter lighting: Motion sensors automatically turn on lights when you open cabinets or work on particular kitchen surfaces.
Examples: LED Motion Sensor Cabinet Light.
4. Bedroom
Smart thermostats: A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature for optimal comfort during sleep or hours awake.
Examples: Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, Google Nest Learning Thermostat.
Smart mattress: To improve sleep quality and monitor sleep patterns people should consider smart mattresses. They can provide valuable insights into air quality, temperature, and humidity levels while tailoring their positions to your needs (including snore response).
Examples: TEMPUR-Ergo.
5. Bathroom
Smart mirrors: A smart bathroom mirror can be activated via voice or touch. It can display weather and news, or serve as a control panel for other devices. Extra features may include an anti-fog switch, Bluetooth speakers, light control, etc.
Examples: Hilo Smart Mirror, Bonnlo Bluetooth Mirror.
Automatic ventilation: To prevent high humidity levels in bathrooms, homeowners can benefit from a smart ventilation system. It can turn on automatically, based on the humidity levels in the room.
Examples: Panasonic DC Ventilation Fan, Auto Vent.
6. Hallway
Motion sensor lighting: To enjoy effortless illumination of dark hallways, homeowners can install motion-activated lights.
Examples: Lutron Maestro Motion Sensor Switch, Sensor Brite Overlite.
Smart key holder: This smart technology will prevent you from losing or leaving without your keys ever again. It can easily locate keys around the house or send notifications if you leave without them.
Example: KeySmart.
Virtual Assistant: A voice-activated virtual assistant device in the hallway allows people to conveniently control various aspects of their homes using only voice control. Hence, one can activate various functions like lights or kitchen devices upon return, or check news or weather updates before leaving.
Examples: Amazon Echo, Google Home.
7. Laundry room
Smart washing machines & dryers: These devices are perfect for scheduling and monitoring laundry cycles remotely. Users also receive notifications when cycles are completed so they never forget about wet laundry.
Examples: Samsung Stackable Steam Cycle Front-Load Washer.
Leak detection: To eliminate any leak concerns, consider water leak sensors. This tech will send alerts if there are any leaks or flooding in the laundry room.
Examples: Flo by Moen Smart Water Detector.
8. Basement
Climate control: Use smart thermostats, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, or other HVAC systems to regulate temperature and humidity levels in the basement.
Examples: LEVOIT OasisMist, Govee Smart Dehumidifier.
Smart wine cellar: If you have a wine cellar or wine storage area in your basement, use smart sensors to maintain optimal conditions for temperature and humidity levels for wine storage. Such tech also keeps track of your wine bottles, their locations, and when they were added or taken.
9. Backyard
Smart irrigation system: To maintain a perfect lawn, homeowners can rely on soil and weather sensors, using smart water systems. They can automatically adjust watering schedules based on received data and programmed requirements.
Examples: Gardena.
Pet-accessible doors: Smart pet doors can automatically open and close based on a pet’s proximity. This allows pets to move freely between the backyard and the house without any safety or security hazards.
Examples: PetDoors.
Pool alarms: Pool safety alarms can detect water disturbances and other motions, sending notifications through a mobile app.
Examples: Lifebuoy Pool Alarm.
Smart pool monitoring: Smart pool monitors can measure water temperature, chemical levels, and pool activity. They can send notifications and alerts to your mobile device if there are any abnormalities or potential safety concerns.
Examples: EcO from iopool.
Looking to develop a smart home automation system?
Our team at Eastern Peak can help you turn your idea into a home automation solution that works smoothly and secure in your customers homes.
How to build a home automation system
Here are a few basic steps on how to make a home automation app.
1. Choose between a single-purpose and multi-purpose solution
Smart home technologies vary in their purposes and uses. You can create a device that works independently from others and requires its own software.
Devices can also serve multi-purpose solutions, where users enjoy full IoT home automation, controlling their house features via a single platform. The latter is more complex in making, yet it is much more convenient to use.
2. Decide on your development strategy
Determine whether you want to build the system from scratch or utilize existing platforms or frameworks for faster development. The latter is faster and cheaper.
However, the former allows a high customization level, allowing your app to stand out. The optimal strategy should consider such factors as time, budget, required technical expertise, etc.
3. Create user scenarios
You need to identify your target users’ needs and expectations to create an original, user-centered application. User scenarios must outline how users interact with the app, what functions and features they would prefer, and how they can benefit from the app.
Such gathered data would guide the development process and ensure the system meets their market’s demand.
4. UI/UX design in home automation development
Design an intuitive and user-friendly interface. Consider the user scenarios, prioritize key features, and focus on delivering a seamless and visually appealing user experience.
5. Features
Your app’s essential features will be determined by the purpose of the product and the target audience. However, there are several must-have features important for any home automation software:
- Registration: Secure app registration must be a top priority in any IoT software. It’s best to have several verification stages and connect one’s app to a phone and email.
- User profile: Home automation systems are often used by an entire family. An app should ensure special access to all family members, distributing their control rights based on their registration.
- Devices control: The ability to control and manage connected devices from a central interface. This includes turning devices on/off, adjusting settings (e.g., temperature, brightness), and monitoring device status.
- Automation options: An app should allow users to set specific scenarios for each device, including work schedules, thermostat adjustments, security monitoring, etc.
- Notifications and alerts: Each app must be able to send notifications and alerts to users’ smartphones or other devices based on specific events or triggers, such as important system updates, security breaches, device malfunctions, etc.
- Analytics: A home automation app can provide users with valuable insights into their home features and workflow of devices, energy consumption, and other data.
6. List all devices your system should support
Identify the devices and manufacturers you want your home automation system to support. This includes choosing the right platform which can support a wide range of devices and sensors. Applications that support a large choice of appliances will be more popular among users. So research compatible devices and consider interoperability.
7. Data-related aspects
Smart home developers must deal with a lot of data-related aspects, including its collection, storage, and processing. For example, devices with a higher need for accuracy must complete more frequent updates.
Some devices also require real-time data processing, which is a more complex procedure. Finally, the team should decide on storage options (cloud or local) and data privacy.
8. Security
Lastly, an app must protect user data and prevent unauthorized access. During this step developers must consider secure authentication methods, encryption, and regular software updates.
Our experience with smart home solutions
One of the smart home examples we developed at Eastern Peak is a smart-lock home entrance security system (DOORe) that totally eliminates the need for house keys.
DOORe is a Bluetooth-enabled smart lock that can be controlled using a smartphone app. The app allows users to lock and unlock the door remotely, check the lock status, and set up temporary access codes for guests.
At Eastern Peak we designed the DOORe smart lock with security in mind, incorporating features such as AES-256 encryption, two-factor authentication, and a tamper-proof design.
To ensure the success of the DOORe smart lock, we conducted extensive market research and worked closely with customers to identify their needs and preferences. We also partnered with leading manufacturers to source high-quality components and materials.
Create a home automation system with our team
There are plenty of smart home automation ideas that have already found their devoted fans. Although it is a new concept for many homeowners, smart home automation software is rising in popularity as we are writing it. So, if you have good ideas for home automation devices, now is just the time to act on them.
You can find a professional and reliable home automation development partner with our team. Book a free consultation with Eastern Peak experts to discuss all the working aspects of smart home automation development and our future cooperation.
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About the author:
Oleg Roberman, Chief of Delivery at Eastern Peak
With strong technical background and outstanding project leadership skills, Oleg helps Eastern Peak customers introduce competitive advantages and instill productive changes in every process by resolving complex business issues and managing multicultural teams through innovation and creative thinking.
