Home Automation
1.
Lighting switches on and off
automatically. Lights can be turned off and on remotely.
Lighting programs can also
be made to switch lights on and off at certain times, or in certain living
conditions such as when you’re watching a movie. More extensions on this can be
halfway lights turning off automatically when motion is detected, stairway
lighting turning on when a step is taken. Mood lighting programs for parties
may also be an option taken.
2.
The house can let you know how
it is.
The system can monitor
conditions from the home which can be viewed from a remote location.
Temperature and weather information can be viewed on the app or online. Alarm systems could also be incorporated with
window/door sensors which could alert the user if the windows are left open or
if there’s a break-in. Cameras could take photos or videos of visitors that
come to your door or ring the doorbell. Humidity/Moisture sensors could be
incorporated to detect flooding and humidity levels in a home which can then be
viewed through the app.
3.
Intelligent climate control.
Heating and air
conditioning can be adjusted remotely or in relation to outdoor/indoor
temperatures. Windows can be programmed to open when inside temperatures are
high and close when it rains.
4.
Security.
With a 360 degree PTZ IP
camera and the app to view it a user can survey areas of the house with high
importance such as a garage where the car may be stored. With RFID chips and
receivers, keyless entry can be accomplished so when the user comes in close
proximity with an entry door it will automatically be unlocked. Unlocked doors
or open windows can also be locked and closed remotely.
5.
Media System.
With the OpenElec system
ran on the Raspberry Pi the system can extend as far as having full control of
your TV, Internet, Music, Video and all on the app. This could then be played
on different mediums throughout the housing.
6.
Voice Integration.
The app will take
advantage of the voice control to send commands to the system for
pre-programmed controls. Commands from “Turn On TV” to “Turn Off Lights” can be
incorporated. Voice feedback is also a feature that can be achieved.
7.
Feedback such as the weather
conditions or even repeating your commands could be given back through the app
much like apples SIRI.
8.
Open-Source.
The whole system is based
on open-source hardware and software. Thanks to the nature of open-source along
with the many members of the open-source community, the system can be extended
to work with many other systems and components if needed.
9.
Remote Access.
The system will upload to
a domain so any machine with internet access can be used to control the house.
The mobile app is essentially an app that points to this domain while offering
the user the incorporated controls to use all of the features in the system.
This gives the user the potential to control their entire home from anywhere in
the world.
10.
Cost Saving.
The beauty of having so
much control at the push of a button is that you can see each light and power
supply that is using power. This makes for much more efficient use of
electricity and with the use of sensors and times; this can be a huge saving.
11.
Smoke/Toxin Detector.
An extension of the system
which would appeal to the safety aspect of a home is a smoke detector alongside
a carbon monoxide detector. CO is a killer gas and a system that will detect and
warn of any high levels of this gas and potentially save lives. Smoke is not
often as fatal but has the potential to set off alarms to warn occupants of
fire danger. This could also be used as a real time alert for emergency
services to be called if the home owner is away. Another more domestic use for
smoke detection could be to turn on extractor fans when cooking.
