Everyone’s talking about them; there is never-ending marketing and advertisement on the topic, and yet there are still many out there who aren’t living in smart homes or accessing some of the possible benefits of such technological advances. This article aims to provide a great starting point for entry and understanding to the concept and practice of smart living, explaining the how and why of the rise of the smart home. Plus, it will also provide insight as to the route into the sector as either a small business or in employment.

What is a smart home?

The ability to automate and integrate various everyday activities and functions in the home is the simplest definition of the smart home. Generally, these automated functions, such as heating, access, music, lighting and security and as many as you can think of, can be controlled remotely, via the smartphone or a dedicated handheld smart device. The rise of the internet of things and connected devices means that there are more smart homes than ever before, and the trend is growing phenomenally. It is expected that by 2023, there will be 43 billion connected devices, known as the internet of things (IOT).

The main reasons for this is the ease of implementation and the speed of development and advancement in the sector.

How these changes are impacting society

Increased efficiencies in terms of energy use, the smart home has proven to provide more immediate control of household energy consumption. Opening and closing of windows, irrigating the garden, and changing the temperature remotely are now all possible and will go a long way to reducing overall energy use. It is expected that a smart home can save you 30-40 % of energy costs, and the main way that this is done is with a much more accurate thermostat that can be immediately read and adjusted in real-time, based on actual in-house temperatures.

The fact that data can also be saved and then analyzed at the touch of a button and on your handheld device means that you can pinpoint where and when you are using too much and attempt to cut back in these specific areas.

Support for the elderly  has been one of the most promising areas of development of the internet of things as well as the smart home. Grocery shopping and specific care can now be integrated with the smart home. Reminders to take medication, shopping orders, and prescriptions can all be automated and remotely controlled for the elderly.

Security can be enhanced in the smart home, but various security risks need to be overcome and at least considered before you simply rush to connect all your home devices. The home security is improved as you are able to remotely open, lock and control access to the home. Doors can now be opened when the homeowner is nearby, and garage doors can also be opened and closed via remote. It’s a much safer existence and a home that is much more difficult to physically gain entry to. However, as soon as your devices are all connected and in the cloud, then your e-security is being compromised. You thus need to have a clear cyber security plan before you embark on your smart home journey. There are specific mitigating functions that should be considered, like ensuring that you have the highest level of encryption and your passwords have been changed and checked regularly. It is also advised to set up a separate Wi-Fi network for your IOT devices, as this means that those using the home Wi-Fi will not be on the same network as all your devices.

Inclusion. The smart home has the ability to bring those who are less mobile into the mainstream with either voice or touchscreen control. There are now specifically designed smart homes that take into consideration certain disabilities and the need for personal support and care for those that are disabled. The ability to adjust heating and lighting has been the main concern, but these intelligent home management systems can provide for much more than this. From alarm wake-ups to coffee making and the opening and closing of blinds and curtains, it can now all be done in the smart home. As long as it is electric and can be connected to the internet, then it can be controlled in your new smart home.

Entertainment was one of the first areas of smart technology to infiltrate the home. Being able to remotely control entertainment in terms of what is recorded, saved, and then watched has improved and advanced, yet is still one of the mainstays of the smart home. As prediction and data analysis become better, there will be improved choices, and available options are based on previous choices rather than a generic set of choices.

The tech opportunities related to smart homes

Small business and Employment opportunities now abound related to the smart home. Smart technicians are now required to set up, install and maintain these homes and the associated technology.

Furthermore, and possibly more significantly is the development, innovation, and improvement of smart homes and systems to managed and control such homes. A computer science masters degree is a wonderful way into the profession and will go a long way to making this a reality.

An entire industry has been set up to provide for the smart home and the rise of this form of technology. From the conceptualization of new smart products to the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of technology and equipment as well as the software that guides the smart home, the opportunities are endless.

Conclusion

Growth and change are good for the economy and society as a whole, and as such, the rise of the smart home is a positive. It is also an opportunity like no other we have had in the past to improve household energy consumption using the latest technology.  It is the awakening of a new era, and smart homes are just the beginning.

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