The Future Smart Home is Here

Having a fully automated home is no longer just a science fiction, experts have claimed.

09:25 06 March 2018

The idea of smart home automation was first introduced to us by the futuristic Jetsons cartoon aired on television about a half-century ago. Although the thought of having electronically-operated machine that controls the inside temperature, makes shopping lists and turns appliance on and off was inviting, the required technology was just not available at that time. 

 

Fast forward to late 1990s, technological advancements in computerised networking brought us closer to the Jetsons dream.IoT Evolution World, an online publication, says that this paved the way for the creation of smart homes because it brought the cost down significantly.

 

"A decade ago, the idea of controlling your home's thermostat, lights and security systems remotely via smartphone would have seemed like futuristic science fiction. But 2017 proved to be the year of the smart home," a recent Forbes piece notes. 

 

The cost of gadgets and systems range from less than $100 to thousands of pounds. Activities, such as turning a lamp on and off are simple and relatively inexpensive. Others, such as advanced surveillance camera, may require investment of time and money.

 

The author added: "What if all the devices in your life could connect to the internet? Not just computers and smartphones, but everything: clocks, speakers, lights, door bells, cameras, windows, window blinds, hot water heaters, appliances, cooking utensils, you name it. And what if those devices could all communicate, send you information, and take your commands? It's not science fiction; it's the Internet of Things (IoT), and it's a key component of home automation and smart homes," the authors note.