Home automation is a way of describing what some call intelligent homes and intelligent homes can be understood as those that use intelligent devices like this TV from Bang & Olufsen that can adjust by itself the contrast on its screen according to the level of light in the room. This plus the possibility of integrate other functions is what put this company at a very special place when talking on the right balance between technology and design. Photography courtesy of Bang & Olufsen of St Paul’s. One New Exchange building.
Does this question sound familiar to you? The sense of power, freedom, comfort and ultimately of control; to be the one who’s got the option of seeing whatever channel one wants, whatever program from the luxury of your favourite sofa or from your soft and warmth bed is what home automation is all about but another scale.
We need to take a step back in order to see the whole picture in the right context and meaning. Let’s start by understanding what automation is. As its name suggests it is basically the use of machines to perform an activity otherwise we, humans, would do. At home, which is our focus, this means electric washing machines, dish washers, vacuum cleaners, etc. In this sense home automation started at the beginning of the 20th century with the widespread introduction of electricity and the rapid advancement of information technology.
.jpg "Crestron is one of the brands specialised in more sophisticated building automation from any kind of buildings to homes. You can control absolutely everything from your ipad or Smartphone from whatever part of the world you are. Photography courtesy of “Kensington Home Technology, AV specialists”.")
Crestron is one of the brands specialised in more sophisticated building automation from any kind of buildings to homes. You can control absolutely everything from your ipad or Smartphone from whatever part of the world you are. Photography courtesy of “Kensington Home Technology, AV specialists”.
However the term home automation is being used nowadays beyond this correct grammatical definition and it refers to the possibility of controlling more than one device: lighting, audio and video, appliances, security, etc.
Because of the complexity of this, because of the need of all the devices to “speak” the same language so the master control can understand them and instruct them according to our desires, there is a more accurate title that embraces all these contemporary ambitions and possibilities: DOMOTICS, meaning the use of the automation technologies and computer science applied to the home.
So in conclusion we have different levels of options for controlling equipments which will vary according to our needs, desires and budget. All of them relate to the way we get in contact with what we want to control and what devices we (the human interface) use for achieving that.
Controlling more than one device within the same field
On this image you can see another Lutron keypad Located conveniently near the staircase. Photography courtesy of Lutron.
Imagine you have your home theatre system (video-audio), your satellite TV system and your audio system. You would have probably more than 3 independent remote controls. You can purchase one universal control and control all of them using it, easy and straightforward. That is your comfort zone. That is what you want. You enjoy standing up and turning the lights off (your fingers in contact with the traditional switch). Or you go to the window and close those beautiful blinds manually. It is a very affordable solution and you can mix and match brands. It is great for smaller budgets and fewer demanding needs.
Bang & Olufsen is an audio and video design and manufacture company with one of the highest levels of design and sound quality for a sophisticated home environment. Their remote control (on the picture) can operate several equipments of the house: lighting, audio, video, blinds, etc. The control cannot be operated remotely (out of your home) at least you integrate it with a more complex system like Control 4. Photography courtesy of Bang & Olufsen of St Paul’s. One New Exchange building.
Controlling multiple devices
Quality and good design are always important; unfortunately they come with a price so a more substantial budget is needed.
There are in the market specialised companies in audio and video or lighting whose controls can operate more than one device giving you the flexibility and conform you want at another level. Usually these controls offer limited options not just in amount and kind of devices to be controlled but from where you control them. Usually you have to be at home. However the sophistication of their equipments and the right amount of options they offer in connectivity will make you a very happy and proud home owner.
Controlling the whole of your home
These kinds of controls are most sophisticated (known as home automation systems). They can control the whole of your devices plus practically from anywhere in the world, from your computer, tablet or smart phone.
You can program how you want your house to run: appliances, checking on your kids while you are travelling or in the office, controlling security, gates, alarms, even feeding your pets. These systems require a high and costly planning schedule including a good size cupboard for installing the hardware. This means you need to have certain level of good security for accessing this room, the “hearth” of the system.
.jpg "Control 4 is a provider of the operating system for home automation. It was designed thinking on home owners and how to make the control of their homes easier using any device that can provide an internet connection. On this image of an ipad you can see some of the areas it can control. Photography courtesy of “Kensington Home Technology, AV specialists”.")
Control 4 is a provider of the operating system for home automation. It was designed thinking on home owners and how to make the control of their homes easier using any device that can provide an internet connection. On this image of an ipad you can see some of the areas it can control. Photography courtesy of “Kensington Home Technology, AV specialists”.
As you can see the possibilities are limitless.
I would suggest if you want to have this kind of comfort to make a list of what you want to control, from where, why, who is going to share that besides you at home and finally what level of design you want to be involved. Having a long conversation on the matter with the designer and A&V specialist would make a huge difference. For example if you buy a very sophisticated system for controlling just the lights, blinds and video probably you are going to spend an important part of your budget on the system, and so reduce the quality of the lights, blinds and audio or video equipment, whereas if you buy very high standard products probably their protocol will allow you to integrate all those needs in their control at a similar price.
Asking for the right word of advice is going to save you money and will allow you to get exactly what you want and need.
One thing remains. When you are in your living room with your partner somebody has to have their fingers on the smart phone or tablet (should I write control?). Sad it is that no one has yet invented a device that will do this negotiation for you. So you have to use one of the oldest ways of persuasion: the seduction of a painfully beautiful smile. It is your call.
Lutron is a leading company in lighting control system. Do you see the keypad at the right hand side of the picture?. You can control all the lighting with that small keypad, which can be positioned on the wall or on your table (wireless remote control) you can program it for party moods, romantic mood, task mood, etc. You can incorporate the control of blinds or thermostats using their devices as well. For a certain amount of tasks these system by its own will be enough. Photography courtesy of Lutron.
