What is a smart home and how to build it
Educational Program Trends / / December 19, 2019
What is a smart home
It refers to a system that ensures the interaction of consumer electronics, lighting, HVAC equipment, which is designed to increase the level of energy efficiency, safety and the comfort of the home.
In the classic sense - it is a stand-alone complex control of all building systems without human intervention on the basis of specified conditions. In a broader sense, smart home feel any systems in place to control appliances remotely and configure the automatic scripts that are linked to certain events.
Due to the very high cost, complexity, and the need to implement the construction phase the first option it is uncommon, therefore, consider the second.
Why do we need smart home
Energy saving, safety and comfort - three main objectives of smart home.
Efficient use of energy is achieved at the expense of the lighting, HVAC equipment and other equipment only in the presence of a person. Responsible for the safety of the various sensors, fixing a water leak, smoke odors and gas, and also capable of detecting intrusion into the house and inform the owner. Comfort is provided by the ability of the smartphone management and operation of automated scripts.
How does the smart home
The structure of a smart home includes dozens of different components, but they are divided into three types: the controller, intelligent appliances, and sensors. The heart of the system is the basic unit, which is also called a hub or gateway. To it by cable or wireless communication protocols are connected sensors, buttons, a camera and various domestic electronic gadgets.
The gateway connects to a server that stores all the data from the device and run the script. Servers are local and cloud. The first requires installation on a single PC, but it works without the Internet. Second - eliminate the additional link in the chain, but dependent on a network connection. In addition, some local solutions support multiple types of hubs, which allows you to combine into a single infrastructure smart devices different manufacturers.
After the initial configuration of all of the above remains behind the scenes and interact with the system via the application on your phone or computer, which communicate with the server.
What can smart home and how it works
Depending on the installed modules and customized scripting capabilities of smart home is almost limitless. As a rule, the base system has control of lights and outlets, as well as the functions of intercom and alarm system. More advanced systems boast implementation of climate control and ventilation, fire alarm, control of water and gas leakage.
With the help of easy to customize scenarios brewing coffee in the morning, and the use of the blinds on a sunny day and the garage door opener on his arrival home. Clever house is automatically watered house plants, depending on the condition of the soil, and when you leave for work, give cleaner Revert command.
All the magic happens on the server, which unites data from the hub, which in turn are connected components of a smart home.
Manage processes is possible through a mobile application using the universal remote control or just voice, using the integration with Siri, Google or other assistant virtual assistant. In this case, almost always remain redundant mechanical buttons for manual control devices.
How to assemble a smart home
1. Select the controller
Available on the market dozens of smart home systems, which differ from the price of other ecosystem devices and scalability. Choose based on these parameters.
The most popular solutions with an affordable price tag, an extensive database of supported devices and friendly community. In Russia, among all others, the following systems are distinguished.
Xiaomi
In the known Chinese brand It has several hubs in the form of sockets, the individual instruments, as well as special versions with support for certain platforms, such as Apple HomeKit.
The main advantages Xiaomi smart home - the largest ecosystem of devices and the best value for money. Among the disadvantages - binding to the Chinese language and services.
Buy a set of devices from Xiaomi →
Rubetek
Relatively affordable domestic development with not very extensive family of smart devices. The latter is partly compensated due to the possibility of scaling components operating according to popular protocol Z-Wave.
The advantages Rubetek It may include, though not official, but the integration with Apple HomeKit out of the box, as well as Russian language support.
Buy a set of devices from Rubetek →
Yandex
Smart House version of the Russian Internet giant can not boast a large number of branded devices. In addition to the speakers have a light bulb socket and remote. But the decision "Yandex"Has a sensor support and third-party devices, such as Xiaomi, Rubetek, Samsung, Redmond and Philips.
The undeniable advantage of the system is the perfect voice control in Russian, as well as the ability to use as a gateway not only to "Yandex. Station ", but any gadget with Alice - for example, a smartphone with the application" Yandex ". It is true that without the Internet work will be nothing.
Buy a device from the "Yandex» →
Raspberry Pi
A more complex, but customizable and affordable option, involving the deployment based single-board computer Raspberry Pi platform MajorDoMo or other software the hub.
Due to the installation of plug-ins and the physical expansion modules "Malinka" allows you to add support for almost all communication protocols and devices. But will have to dig around with the command line, poizuchat documentation and perhaps even write a few lines code.
Buy a set of devices from the Raspberry Pi →
2. Defined with a set of sensors
To make your house smarter, need sockets, lamps, various sensors and other devices. Better to start with small things - the basic components, which are sold along with the hub. These delivery options are most beneficial for the price and have the majority of manufacturers.
If the understanding of the requirements for the smart home formed at the stage of implementation, you can immediately buy all the necessary sensors and devices for automation. However, this is not necessary, because any platform if necessary to easily scale within its ecosystem.
3. Install and activate components
All modern systems operate over wireless communication channels, so they are easy to install, without prejudice to the repair and design home.
Most elements do not require connection to the mains and powered by lithium batteries tablets, which is enough for about a year. Smaller modules are mounted on double sided tape, the devices are larger in the socket or mounted on the wall with screws.
The procedure is extremely simple and takes a couple of minutes. All you need to do - is to follow the instructions. In some cases, before fastening components required to scan a QR-code on the reverse side via the corporate applications.
4. Configure the system
As a rule, all settings are made through a mobile application that is loaded on QR-code. To add a hub and other components, follow the prompts. Usually, you need to hold down the button on the device and select it in the application list.
Once connected, select the Wi-Fi-network, and specify the location of this device in the home.
5. Add automation scripts
Just turn on and off the lamp socket or uninteresting. For the system to really justify the title of intelligent, you must configure the action scripts that will run under the given conditions.
To this end, there is usually a special tab "Automation" in the appendix or a separate item in each menu of the device. All scripts are working on the principle of simple logic: if (condition) → then (act). Conditions there may be several. For example, when the room is dark and triggered motion sensor is activated night light.
see also🏠📱💡
- 10 gadgets that help people with various diseases
- Thing of the day: DIY-kit that will transform an ordinary apartment in a smart home
- What is smart clothes and why wear it
- Smart socket - security of home and family
- What is a smart city and where this concept has already been implemented