Popular Mechanics (South Africa)
Automation basics
Smart homes that can anticipate your needs aren’t so far away
Making your home smarter
Dim the lights”
Set the scene for watching a movie”
WE’VE GOT USED TO THE IDEA OF A HOME that can be controlled remotely simply by tapping a smartphone or uttering a voice command. But ever more sophisticated systems are creating homes, once programmed, capable of managing themselves.
So they know when to turn the lights on and off, lock the doors as you leave, cool or warm the interior as you head home from work. All of this can be accomplished from your smartphone or tablet and the central element is the Internet of Things: a network of physical objects within your home, from TV to lights, alarm to blinds to fridge.
In some cases, interacting with your smart home can be as easy as making a voice command. Wake up your Amazon Alexa virtual personal assistant with a simple voice command such as “Alexa, turn on Welcome” could instantly turn on your pre-programmed scenario: entrance lights come on, relaxing music begins to play, all while the door locks itself behind you…
You could pre-programme personalised and uniquely home scenes: your voice command “Dining” could automatically dim select lights and begin to play a specific playlist. “Bedtime” could set the system into motion: switching off lights, closing blinds, locking doors and setting the alarm.
VOICE-CONTROLLED VIRTUAL ASSISTANTS are a good place to start because they can be found practically anywhere there’s a smart mobile device. Think Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri and Google Assistant. (See “Just say the word”). The hard bit – for the moment, anyway – is finding the right accessory for your needs and ensuring that it works consistently with your controller. Fact is, not all do.
For off-the-shelf smart home hub solutions, Amazon’s Echo range seems to be both well priced and the widest compatibility with accessories, said to number more than 10 000 called, in Echo-speak, “skills”. It can also be set up with apps from either Android or Apple.
On the minus side, Alexa can be temperamental and it’s up to you to ensure that the home accessories you’d like to add are compatible, because Amazon assumes no liability for third-party products.
Apple seems to have taken a more cautious route to development, using its Homekit, Home app and strict compatibility and privacy requirements to ensure easy set-up and secure data transfer when Apple devices are used.
The choice of candidates for automation is limited only by your imagination.
An easy way to get started building a smart-home system is by adding a set of smart light bulbs. There are essentially two types of smart light: • Some systems require a so-called bridge, a device that connects with a Wi-fi router and talks to the smart light. • Others, like Lifx, have a built-in Wi-fi connection and don’t need a bridge.
The Philips Hue bulb needs a bridge, but this can manage up to 50 bulbs –
Arm the alarm”
Open and close blinds”
Adjust the bedroom temperature”
great for somebody who is gradually building up a smart bulb fleet.
Smart plugs, Wi-fi-based, can be used to operate practically any suitable appliance when you need to. The next level of device automation could involve smart thermostats, Wi-fi enabled and connected to the Internet so they can be operated by smartphone app or virtual assistant voice command. Typically these would entail some kind of temperature monitoring to ensure that air-conditioning or heating operates efficiently.
Of course, cost is a decisive factor in making your choice. Home automation can be very affordable by starting with one or a few rooms or concentrating on specific features only, such as lighting or music or security.
Buying a capable controller can cost quite a bit. The Control4 controller ( homemation.co.za) costs about R10 000, on top of which is is an annual subscription of about R2 500. You will also have to factor in the cost of individual accessories, installation and Internet. Lights could run to around R2 000 per circuit, for instance. RETROFITTING MORE SOPHISTICATED SYSTEMS such as KNX into an older home or easily including them in a new build or renovation is becoming more accessible thanks to wireless operation. Existing electrical installations can be transformed into a smart home without any extra construction work or cable routing. That’s a good thing, because the cost and time incurred by hard-wiring systems for smart homes puts people off the idea, according to Lizanne Scholtz of specialised direct importer and wholesale distributor Electromechanica. One of the more sophisticated KNX systems her company is associated with, Hager’s coviva, involves micromodules that can be combined with a smartbox and app to enable control and monitoring functions. The smartbox itself also means less cabling through walls and rebuilding work. Once installed behind existing switches or connection boxes, the micromodules communicate wirelessly with each other. The user is able to automate multiple functions throughout the home, including lights and blinds.
Each micromodule can be linked to an easily programmable button. The micro-
modules can cross through two concrete slabs indoors, and still transmit up to 30m. Outdoors the range can extend as far as 100 m in an open field.
The technology also permits connection to a range of devices. In addition to the micromodules, Hager coviva is also a hub for managing heating/cooling and security systems and other connected objects. Because it’s modular, new components can be added seamlessly as your needs change.
“The Hager coviva app allows homeowners to control lights, blinds and other home systems anywhere and at any time. In addition, customers can create their own personalised scenes and associated rules, with all data stored on the local smartbox, accessible only by users for added security,” says Scholtz. Encrypted remote access is possible.
In the big picture, automation helps households become safer and more functional, while reducing electricity consumption, Scholtz says. “Today, technology has improved and pricing has reduced. Home automation should also be viewed together with your home as an investment which adds a lot of value to your lifestyle.”