home automation

Home automation or smart home (also known as domotics or domotica) is the residential extension of building automation and involves the control and automation of lighting, heating (such as smart thermostats), ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC), and security, as well as home appliances such as washer/dryers, ovens or refrigerators/freezers that use WiFi for remote monitoring. Modern systems generally consist of switches and sensors connected to a central hub sometimes called a "gateway" from which the system is controlled with a user interface that is interacted either with a wall-mounted terminal, mobile phone software, tablet computer or a web interface, often but not always via internet cloud services.
While there are many competing vendors, there are very few world-wide accepted industry standards and the smart home space is heavily fragmented. Popular communications protocol for products include X10, Ethernet, RS-485, 6LoWPAN, Buetooth LE (BLE), ZigBee and Z-Wave, or other proprietary protocols all of which are incompatible with each other. Manufacturers often prevent independent implementations by withholding documentation and by suing people.
The home automation market was worth US$5.77 billion in 2015, predicted to have a market value over US$10 billion by the year 2020.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. B

    Alternative to Piper NV

    Hi folks, I've been looking into securing my home for a while and was going to get the piper nv. However after researching, it would be best to get a separate hub to interact with peripherals so I was thinking of getting smarthings and piper. Then I got thinking is there an alternative...
  2. raducrisasn

    Question Thermostat not working with Fibaro HC2

    Hello. I am trying to configure a Qubino flush heat&cool thermostat with a Fibaro HomeCenter 2 and after the devce inclusion, I get the message: Configuration The device does not have a template and may have limited functionality, please contact technical support in order to add the template...
  3. C

    Complete Home Automation Retrofit - Crestron, Rako, Multiroom Audio, Cinema

    Hi All, ive been a long time lurker here, reading alot of the build threads and occasionaly popping into the Classified section to grab a few bargains. After a few touch and go weeks we have finally exchanged on a new house and will be moving this Friday, I thought I would use this thread as a...
  4. Stevestobo

    Opus home automation

    I have just purchased a new house and it has an Opus home automation system fitted. It has a MCU 600 with a 610 HD video distribution as well as WCU touch screens in every room. There are also speakers in every ceiling powered by 5 seperate zone amps. I am looking to get a better way to access...
  5. stashton

    Question Home automation with zwave

    Hi i am a noob to Home automation I have bought a Z wave plus with rxttrx433e addon. If i wanted to control a device say light wave rf socket would i still need a light wave controller/gateway?
  6. Apples76

    Question Newbie help needed in selecting the right equipment for heating control and home automation

    Hi all, I have spent the last few days trawling through the quagmire of home automation/heating controls and to say my head is spinning with all it's possibilities is an understatement! I have read quite a few detailed post on this forum hence me posting my questions here. I initially started...
  7. Puntoboy

    Question New home automation

    I've been looking at home automation in the last few days trying to decide the best way to control the lighting. I'm looking for a system that is Apple HomeKit compatible mainly and works with different devices. For lighting I've seen two ways to do it, either change the bulbs or change the...
  8. T

    Home Automation System Required...

    Hi Guys, We are building a new house and would like to install some sort of home automation, so things like CCTV, Alarm, Blinds Control and Audio. We are not highly experienced when it comes to technology but are intelligent enough to navigate through an iPad type interface to control a...
  9. R121

    Another Full House and AV room build

    SO after looking at the forum for years! (Just checked my profile 2003 WOW time files). I have been following all the amazing builds and rooms here and I always thought I would know exactly what to do when it was finally my turn. In reality I need to make lots of decisions and it’s now started...
  10. C

    Here's a lesson I learned with my home automation

    Hi guys, My home automation system has been running fine for quite a while but while I was in the middle East last week the the wife messaged complaining about the rcd in the house tripping. Before I could reply she managed to pin it down to the outside light. Due to the torrential rains...
  11. P

    Question Home automation with on premesis server?

    I've been looking at home automation for a while, but most of the ones that I've seen are either largely unavailable in the UK or are dependent on smart phones and internet linked hubs. What I'm looking for is an ecosystem that allows me to set up timed triggers for events. Such as turning...
  12. C

    Tasker UI for Home automation and control

    Gents (and Ladies), Just thought I'd share my latest UI screenshot for my wall mounted tablet for my HA system. All lights etc are controllable from the floor plan, also pressing the TV icon in the Livingroom brings up an overlay page with some basic controls for harmony (play, pause, mute and...
  13. M

    Question Security Alarm - Home Automation

    We are about to complete on our new property (1920/1930s semi), and are looking to install a security alarm. We envisage (dependent on funds!) to renovate and extend the property in 18 to 24 months. When we undertake this project, we'll look to fully integrate more smart home features (automatic...
  14. xrtc

    Home Automation Engines

    Hello World, I am doing research in the context of Home Automation, to be more specific in the existing automation engines. Any kind of engines either standalone or parts of home automation systems are my research goal. I want to experiment with them, shortly if possible, so an important...
  15. pompeydean

    Home Automation Installation Decisions

    Hi all, Some of you may be familiar with what I'm doing from my build thread (here), but for those who aren't, I am renovating a bungalow from top to bottom and I'm now at first fix stage so am making my decisions on the home automation side of things. I have had some great advice on my build...
  16. bam27beer

    have lightwave but looking into z-wave /zapato /vera

    hi all i've been reading some posts over time ,and have had a lightwave setup for a while, one thing i like about lightwave is easy retrofit and the 3 way relay for £30 :) , sparks by trade so get one of these ,a few contactors easy remote isolation , but now seen other hubs can control there...
  17. A

    risks of installation of non-UL system in US?

    Hello everyone, looking for a bit of advice. I'm in the early stages of building a new house, and am trying to figure out which home automation system to use. I've narrowed it down to three choices, two of the big Italian firms, and one from a Dutch company. The only problem is, none of these...
  18. B

    Question Getting into home automation

    I'm getting a lot of building work done on the house soon which will include a lot of wiring work so I'm thinking of getting a remote control system but I don't know where to start. I'm looking for boiler, underfloor heating in the bathroom, lighting, and socket control. There are several...
  19. B

    Wanting to get into home automation

    I'm getting a lot of building work done on the house soon which will include a lot of wiring work so I'm thinking of getting a remote control system but I don't know where to start. I'm looking for boiler, underfloor heating in the bathroom, lighting, and socket control. There are several...
  20. K

    Home AV/Automation - Control4/Other Options

    My employer has a Control4 system that was installed back in late 2010 when the house was built. He's never been 100% happy with it and there have always been issues (sometimes a TV just stops getting signal entirely for example). The cabinet where all the equipment is held is a mess of wires...
Back
Top Bottom