The Internet of Things (IoT) penetration has brought about a long-standing revolution in businesses globally. Smart technology will soon become mainstream as the popularity of connected devices increases due to their comfort and convenience. The integration of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum computing has led to the development of smart homes ? a revolutionary concept that has been trending lately.

In what may seem completely contradictory pointer, smart home technology found its roots several years ago, although it has gained more popularity in the recent decade. The inception of this modern-day miracle can be traced back to the year 1975 when a home automation platform called X10 was launched. This device was programmed to send digital information to the electric wiring system of a home via radiofrequency. Back in the day, people were able to use X10 to remotely control devices in their homes with a command console and modules.

Despite being fairly advanced for the time, smart home technology didn?t really catch on back then. Today, however, the concept is becoming more acceptable, as advancements in-home technology provide us major benefits, including time and money savings. A gist of some of the devices used in smart homes has been enlisted below:

1) Smart Electricity

Smart Light Bulbs

Smart bulbs, or a smart lighting system, can be set to a particular schedule in its simplest form. You can automatically turn the lights on and off, thereby saving energy bills. Smart light bulbs are particularly useful for people who are prone to forgetting to switch off lights. Automated lights also help you avoid potential break-ins and rise early.

Signify, Philips? lighting division, recently made it to the headlines for launching numerous indoor and outdoor smart lights. Some of these include the Philips Hue Resonate wall light, Philips Hue Calla bollard, Philips Hue Inara wall light, and the Philips Hue Lucca wall light. According to the company, these lights are completely weather-resistant and can be controlled through the Philips Hue app.

Smart Plugs and Sockets

Using smart sockets and plugs is one of the most effective ways to turn an ordinary lighting system into a smart lighting system. Smart sockets usually allow people to control their home lights through a dedicated smartphone app. Through the online application, one can check their home lights even when away; they can set light levels and schedule when the lights can remain switched on or off.

On the other hand, smart plugs can be conveniently placed over your existing plugs and controlled via an app, thereby turning your current electric devices into smart devices. Not only do smart plugs save power bills, they also help calculate which device is adding to your energy bill, thereby aiding you to eliminate unnecessary and expensive devices.

The Zebronics Zeb SP116 is a popular 16A smart plug that is compatible with both Google and Alexa. It helps with energy monitoring and setting timers and can be controlled with the help of the Zeb Home app.

Smart Fans

Motion sensors control smart fans ? they detect human presence in the room and start functioning themselves. Likewise, they turn off when people leave the room. Most smart fans are also designed to adjust and maintain the room at the right temperature. Some fans come with remote controlling modules that help you schedule the fan?s speed.

The first of these products was the Haiku ceiling fans. Of late, some of the popular smart fans include the Mocha Indoor and Outdoor Smart Ceiling Fan, the Smaair Outdoor Smart Ceiling Fan With Remote, and the Ovlaim 60 Inch Dc Motor 6 Speed Ceiling Fan.

Smart Humidifiers

Humidifiers are one of the best products for people living in areas where the weather is dry. Or people who are sensitive to dry air. Unlike regular humidifiers, smart humidifiers come with a whole lot of benefits. For instance, some smart humidifiers are designed to directly be attached to a water supply mechanism so that you need not refill it manually. Most of them are WiFi enabled so that they can be controlled using your smartphone.

One of the best humidifiers on the market is the SmartDevil Small Humidifier with two modules ? intermittent spray continuous spray. It can remain operational until 18 hours and has the capacity to hold up to 500 millilitres of water at a time. It is even embedded with a night light that can be operated based on your preferences. A principal quality that qualifies it to be ?smart? is that if the water is found to be lower than the water level probe, the humidifier automatically shuts off.

Smart Meters

Smart meters are not actually a novelty anymore ? given the rising demand for clean energy and increasing sustainability concerns, smart meters are widely deployed over a range of residential and commercial spaces. Smart gas and electricity meters have a range of benefits ? to begin with, they depict the amount of energy you?re using so that it?s easy to keep an eye on the usage and increase or decrease it as needed. Another advantage of smart meters is that they can be programmed to automatically send your meter readings to the company so that you can receive more accurate bills. For most middle-class families, installing a smart meter has proved to be very advantageous; as they help you set an energy budget, monitor energy usage, and lower bills.

Smart meter manufacturers have been going the whole hog to tap the popularity of these products. Telstra, for instance, recently inked a $100-million deal to supply close to 4.1 million IoT SIMs to Intellihub, the smart meter provider. As per the contract, Intellihub?s new meters will be connected to Telstra?s IoT network, making the company a major supplier in the smart meter industry and boosting Telstra Energy, which is still in its nascent stage.

2) Smart Security

Smart Home Locks

With increasing security concerns, the demand for smart locks has been witnessing a major surge. If you?re one of those who lose their keys often or want your kids to be able to get in the house without having to give them a key, smart hoe locks are for you. These locks are designed with keyed and keyless entry systems, enabling you to enter your home with a key or a code. Most of these locks boast of safety features such as burglar protection ? like they allow you to enter random numbers before entering the actual code so that the fingerprints on the device do not giveaway the latter. Furthermore, most of these locks automatically relock after a stipulated time. Many of these nowadays can even be unlocked with your smartphone, in the event of which you need not even remember a code.

Recently, in Orlando, hardware design and engineering firm INOX showcased its new smart lock technology at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The new ISM7000 Series Smart Entry Lock is the only one in the market that is available in any lever, finish, and trim offered by INOX.

Smart Cameras

A smart camera system can considerably mitigate your stress if you have a toddler or an elderly person at home, both of who demand adequate care. Numerous smart camera systems are available in the market and most of them can be connected to your smartphone. These cameras are embedded with numerous safety features such as facial recognition technology, notification systems, motion sensors, and real-time video monitoring. You can set up the camera in close proximity to the subject and monitor it with the help of an app. Most of these cameras have night vision capabilities as well, so you can always get a clear view of what is happening.

One of the best smart cameras in the market is Amazon?s Yi 1080p Home Security Camera, currently a bestseller. As far as modern home surveillance is concerned, this one takes the cake. It provides high-definition video recordings 24/7 and has excellent features such as a 112 wide-angle lens and an F/2.0 aperture. It has great night vision and lets you see in the dark, in addition to being able to detect motion. It also has an excellent microphone ? this is especially helpful to parents so they can monitor the sounds their child makes, in case the babies cry out or whimper or something similar.

Smart Video Doorbells

Video doorbells conveniently enable people to forgo the peephole. With these devices, one can see who is at their door without even having to get up from their place of rest. Most smart video doorbells are embedded with a speaker, microphone, camera, motion sensor, and internet connection. They are designed to detect visitors and other activities at your doorway. In addition, you can view and hear live video through your smartphone and speak with the concerned person, or if not, you can let the camera record a message, especially if you?re not at home.

One of the most popular video doorbells is the Arlo Video Doorbell, which boasts excellent features. Another product on the market is the Eufy Security Video Doorbell Dual, which has two cameras ? a 1080p camera on the downside to monitor packages left on the doorstep and a 2K camera on the top that captures the face and body of visitors.

Smart Smoke Detector

Another concern for every homeowner is preventing and responding quickly to fire. Many smoke detection systems now contain the technology to connect to your WiFi and send alerts when the alarm is activated or low batteries. Many smart smoke detectors also monitor home air quality while detecting smoke and carbon monoxide.

Impact, a brand created by Honeywell, recently announced that it plans to launch a DIY-connected smoke detector in India. The Impact wireless smoke detector is a DIY product for use in commercial buildings wherein it is not possible to install a massive fire detection system.

Smart Garage Door Openers

While smart locks provide protection to your home, smart garage door openers keep your vehicles and sundry items in check. These smart devices enable you to monitor your garage, open it, or close it anywhere on your phone. Many exceptional smart garage door openers enable you to adjust the lighting inside your garage in order to make better use of the entire space.

LiftMaster?, a well-known residential garage door opener installer, recently launched a range of innovative garage door openers powered by myQ? technology. This technology helps homeowners to monitor, control, and secure their garages from their smartphone through the myQ? app, anywhere, anytime. The app allows people to easily access experiences such as Smart Vehicle Access capabilities in select vehicles and Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery.

3) Smart Kitchen

Smart Refrigerators

Smart refrigerators have already become a phenomenon, say consumer electronic experts. These devices have the ability to monitor temperature fluctuations and ensure that food stays at an optimal temperature within. They are also embedded with built-in touch screens that enable you to access the internet, leave notes, watch TV, access the family calendar, and more.

Amazon has been rumoured to be working on its own smart fridge, claim sources. Apparently titled ?Project Pulse?, this smart fridge may be designed to track user inventory and buying behaviour, predict what the user wants, and order for it to be delivered. In addition, there?s a likelihood it may suggest recipes depending on the products stored in the fridge, make it convenient to order food from an Amazon Fresh or Whole Foods grocery store, and even track product expiration dates.

Smart Cooktops

Smart cooktops are one of the best products to have if you have young kids in the house. These devices are not as dangerous as conventional cooktops, as they don?t get that hot; instead, they deploy induction technology to heat only the ?food? in the pan. They cook food faster and more evenly, prevent injuries due to overheating, and use less energy. Some of them also use touchscreen capability to speed up the cooking process.

One of the best available smart cooktops in the market is Samsung?s 30? Smart Induction Built-In Cooktop with WiFi. This offers excellent cooking performance and helps families prepare large meals. It also lowers emissions as well as energy usage as you cook without impacting overall performance.

Smart Ovens

If you?re tired to even wait for the oven to cook your food, smart ovens are the devices for you. These ovens help you begin preheating from a distance by adjusting timers remotely. In addition, with a smart oven, you can have cooking notifications sent to your phone, have the oven adjust temperatures and change functions based on the recipes, and automatically shift between baking, broiling, and roasting to cook the perfect meal.

Recently, cooking technology firm June launched the third-generation June Oven ? a 12-in-1 smart appliance. This smart oven claims to be able to dehydrate, slow cook, grill, air fry, bake, broil, roast, warm, reheat, toast, and proof meals with utmost meticulousness. It also has a high-performance camera on the inside and an advanced touchscreen interface outside. It is designed to identify hundreds of recipes for its automatic-cook program, and it makes the cooking experience much easier and more seamless than its predecessors.

Smart Faucets

Imagine holding armfuls of veggies in one hand and a ladle in the other and wanting to use the sink but unable to do so. Smart faucets conveniently provide a way out of this helpless situation. Using a touchless smart faucet will help you turn it on with your voice or just a simple hand gesture. In addition, they are designed to dispense exact measurements of water, thereby saving on water usage.

Faucet and fixture maker Moen recently revealed its latest smart water at the CES. The Moen Smart Faucet with Motion Control ensures handle-free operation and demands mere hand gestures to control water flow and temperature. It also helps you customize the gestures further and set default temperatures.

Smart Dishwashers

Suppose you?ve ever been in a situation where you needed a utensil urgently, and it?s sitting in the dishwasher, dirty and unwashed because you forgot to run it. In that case, you?re the perfect candidate for a smart dishwasher. With this device, you can set your dishwashing schedule at your convenience and ensure that you do not trap yourself in a situation like those as mentioned earlier. You can also monitor the performance of the dishwasher remotely, start and stop as required, and check the cycle status.

One of India?s most noteworthy consumer electronics brands, Samsung, recently launched two models of its freestanding Dishwashers on Amazon from January 17-20, 2022, during the Great Republic Day Sale. Powered by the IntensiveWash? program, these dishwashers are quite specially designed for Indian kitchens to remove burn stains, leftover oil, grease, and more from woks and other cookware.

Smart Coffeemakers

These devices are a boon for caffeine lovers, especially on days they are busy and are unable to remember if they turned on their regular coffeemaker. With a smart coffee maker, you?ll always wake up to a cup of your favourite joe! For most of these smart devices, you have to add the grounds and water, sync it with your alarm, and go to sleep. You also have the option of having different brews every day.

One of the best smart coffeemakers out there is the Keurig K-Supreme Plus Smart coffee maker. This device boasts of multiple sizes and brewing functions. You can choose from five different brewing strengths ranging from balanced to intense and six different temperature settings.

4) Smart Bathrooms

Smart Water Leak Detection

Water damage can be profusely harmful for homes. A small leak in a pipe can cause financial losses of thousands of dollars. Not to mention, during winters, pipes are likely to burst yet remain undetected, causing severe damage to homes. All these problems can be avoided with the help of a simple smart water leak detection system. This smart device can be installed at the places where the leaks are most likely to occur ? underneath a sink, in the basement, in the bathroom, and so on. When the slightest hint of a leak is detected, the system sends out alerts, giving substantial time to shut off the water source and repair any damage.

Wirepas & EnviroSmarts established a partnership to introduce advanced early water detection systems in the hospitality industry. EnviroSmarts? smart sensors deploy a unique connectivity software called Wirepas Massive that will provide early detection warnings to property managers, reducing damage by as much as 96%.

Smart Showers

With water wastage becoming a major environmental concern, reducing water usage has come up to be of prime importance in most households. Smart showers will help you achieve this efficiently. These showers are designed to automatically get cut off when the water temperature reaches the desired level and then commence again when you step in. In addition, they are embedded with sensors that help reduce the water flow as you move away from the showerhead and vice-versa.

Market leader Aqualisa recently launched the new Aqualisa Smart Quartz Collection of showers. Not only can it be easily installed, it has exceptional reliability and is fitted with advanced controls for convenient usage.

Smart Bathtubs

Smart bathtubs are emerging to be a powerhouse of bathroom luxury in recent times. These tubs use components that control the temperature of the water, make it sway along like waves, and even make the water vibrate with music waves streaming from your phone?s Bluetooth. Many smart tubs also contain standard compositions explicitly created for unwinding after a stressful day.

Plumbing product manufacturer Kohler has launched a smart bath with the PerfectFill technology at CES 2022. With this product, you need not even go to the bathroom to fill up the tub as it gets activated with a voice command. If you?re busy or just plain tired, call out to Alexa or Google to run you a warm bath, and you?re done! The PerfectFill also comprises a digital valve and drain kit so that your bath has the perfect depth and temperature. Bathroom flooding tensions can also be put to rest with Kohler?s latest innovation.

The Future of Smart Homes

Besides the devices mentioned above, the market is ablaze with a slew of other smart products. Smart thermostats, for example, help control home temperatures and maintain them at optimum levels. Smart robotic vacuums have already been popular for some time and are gaining even more precedence owing to smart features such as learning functions and the ability to be scheduled from smartphones. Samsung Electronics, in fact, recently announced the launch of its new robot vacuum cleaner, Jet Bot AI+.

One of the most popular smart home technologies is a smart speaker ? literally, these virtual assistants are the hub of your smart home; they connect all smart devices and help you exercise control over them. Furthermore, there are smart toilets, smart grids, smart televisions, smart laundry machines, smart lawn mowers, smart clocks, and more.

A decade from now, smart homes may be pretty mainstream. Or at least not a major novelty, claim experts. Utopian as it may sound currently, waking up to the notes of an automated musical alarm, bathing in automated tubs, getting groceries and medicines delivered by drones, and so on may soon become a reality.

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