Unlike what was thought years ago, about a futuristic reality, today it is possible
to automate several mechanical tasks in a home, with precise technologies and affordable costs.
Smart homes are proof of this.
The basic principle of a
smart home is to use technology as an ally to offer
convenience to users . These are simple everyday activities, such as turning the lights on or off, playing music or hearing about the main events of the day. All of this is done through
voice activation . This type of smart home is already quite popular in the United States, but has been gaining prominence in Brazil with the arrival of voice assistants such as
Alexa ,
Siri and
Google Assistant. Despite limited activities, the expectation is that over time
smart homes will have features that go beyond connectivity. Imagine a kitchen that automatically identifies when it needs to be cleaned? This is a reality expected in the not-so-distant future.
How do smart homes work?
Smart homes work with the use of
IoT (Internet of Things). It is through this technology, capable of connecting everything to a common server, that automations happen. To achieve
connectivity at home , the criteria adopted in the United States is that to be considered a smart home, at least two items connected to the internet are required, which may vary depending on the residents' expectations and the facilities they desire. Practical examples of
IoT applied to homes are: Smart TV, smart refrigerators, automatic lighting, air conditioners, security alarms, etc.
Safety and convenience
When we think about the benefits of smart homes, talking only about the comfort and convenience they provide is just the tip of the
iceberg . They directly contribute to home security in different ways. The use of alarms and cameras are examples of this. When they notice the presence of strangers around the house, they warn the user - in the event of a break-in, some are able to alert the insurance company or the police. Security is also reflected within the
smart home , with smoke detectors that identify fires, devices that identify when gas is leaking, among many other features.
