Major Players In Home Automation Go DIY, Allow For Easier Integration

The futuristic technology commonly referred to as “home automation” today can really be viewed as a series of technological inventions dating as far back as the invention of the light bulb and making its way up to the television, standard household appliances, security systems, and computers. Some may even argue that the birth of home automation can be traced back to the electric doorbell, invented by Joseph Henry in 1831.

One major breakthrough in home automation worth noting was the invention of the BSR system X10 module developed in the 1970s, which controlled lights and household appliances. The BSR system X10 later got an upgrade released a wireless security system in the 1980s.

These are the kinds of advancements that propelled the idea of home automation and transformed it into what it is now, a system that goes far beyond programmable thermostats. Home automation systems are now equipped with programmable bedside alarms, lights and dimmers, heated floor settings, and task reminders. Home automation software intends to take any ordinary home and make it better, safer, and “smarter”.

Smart home systems typically comprise a hub that includes all of the technology needed to connect your home (like Z-wave or Wi-Fi radios), and connecting multiple devices is simpler than ever now that so many automation systems are controlled from a mobile app for easier integration and linkage.

In a recent survey conducted by ON World, a provider of business intelligence regarding smart technology, it was revealed that there is a growing awareness and demand for smart home solutions and it has reached mass market scale.

“The majority of US consumers express interest in smart home products and services and 20% are likely to adopt within the next two years,” said Mareca Hatler ON World’s research director.

The shift to DIY

Just this month, Philips, a leader in lighting technologies, announced the release of an upgraded Philips Hue kit, a personal and wireless lighting kit that is now compatible with Apple’s HomeKit. The square-shaped Philips Hue 2.0 Bridge is capable of supporting the hardware authentication required in the HomeKit so that Philips bulbs can work simultaneously with other home automation technology.

 

The new capabilities include voice control via Siri for complete home management with just one simple command.

“Lighting is the most accessible aspect of the connected home, and as the lighting expert for the Internet of Things we are taking connected lighting to the next phase,” said Eric Rondolat, Chief Executive Officer at Philips Lighting. “By integrating Philips Hue with Apple HomeKit, we are broadening people’s experience of light beyond what has been previously possible, providing seamless interoperability with other connected home devices.”

Following that announcement, high-end automation company, Savant, announced the release of its first DIY home automation product, targeting the middle market with a $500 remote that can control every aspect of your home.

Just last year at CES we saw plenty of high-end home automation companies also taking a stab at DIY opportunities.

While it may sound appealing to have an expert come into your home to install and connect every aspect of your life so that you can simply hit a button to have dinner easily whipped up or lights reach a particular setting, niceties like those can run consumers many thousands of dollars. With that understanding, high-end companies are opting to develop more middle-market-friendly home automation kits. The downside: users will probably have to fiddle with different wires and devices, trying to bring the entire kit together and functional, but it will be a significantly cheaper method of experiencing the luxuries of home automation.

Integration

Currently, most DIY home automation systems like Philips Hue 2.0 are compatible with other home automation software and capable of being incorporated into other networks down the road.

Over the summer Logitech announced four such integrations into its Harmony smart home ecosystem. The company incorporated products like Smart Lock door locks, LIFX, a set of Wi-Fi enabled LEDs, and Insteon control and monitoring products.

Companies like Insteon whose technology connects through a hub are rapidly teaming up with companies like Apple and Logitech – and they’re not the only ones. Philips Hue (as previously mentioned), Nest, Honeywell, and Lutron are some other manufacturers of home control that assimilate directly into these platforms, enabling users even more control over their home from one place.

 

Companies like ADT must also partner up with electronics companies like LG and Nest (as it did this spring) in order to stay relevant. As broadband adoption continues to grow, security companies must leverage home automation, In this case ADT can incorporate new user experiences into its platform allowing for traditional monitored security systems, as well as new “smarter” systems.

 

“We believe that bringing LG and Nest into our ecosystem allows ADT to help define the future of home and business security and automation for the millions of customers who rely on our people and systems every day. We see the discipline of Smart Security emerging with ADT leading it – bringing together best-in-class professional monitoring with a curation of premier partners for innovative new solutions. With the continued demand of consumers to leverage automation, we see this as a winning strategy,” said ADT President and Chief Executive Officer Naren Gursahaney.

 

All of these products work together offering users a combination of control. For example, as a person is leaving their driveway, he or she can set off the “off-to-work” feature via mobile device so that lights and entertainment systems are powered down, thermostats re-programmed, and doors locked in and around the home.

 

Luckily the market has shifted away from hard-wiring all mechanisms through a home’s electrical system and is now being accessed via Internet connection, so more and more devices can be developed and integrated for easier DIY automation.