5 Home Automation Ideas With IoT-based Mobile Applications

Apart from the futuristic and modern home interiors, home automation has some other perks such as –

1. Greater control and independence in setting the home environment
2. Time saving and easy maintenance
3. Improved security
4. Reduced utility bills
5. Auto-alert in emergency situations

We discuss 5 home automation ideas with IoT-based mobile applications.

1. Security

Mobile applications that connect with the home security system such as cameras and intercoms enable the home owner to continuously monitor the visitors from their mobile device screens. Further, all recordings can be directly stored on cloud and viewed remotely. So, if a visitor comes and rings the bell in everyone’s absence, one can see who it is, and speak to them live and view their activities from their mobile device using the application. An in-built alarm system can help raise alarm and send a signal to the requisite authorities in case of medical emergency, fire or theft to ensure quick response even when the owner is away from home. A complete lockdown of the home with a single press of a tab or voice command can be done with a mobile application using beacon technology.

2. Lighting and ventilation

Lighting systems with sensors are fairly common, though not yet adopted on a large scale. New systems are available in the market that can be synced with mobile applications to ensure total control of lighting, room temperature and ventilation with one’s mobile device. So, just as the home owner leaves office they can set the temperatures and the home lighting moods on their device so that they enter to a relaxing environment that has been pre-set to alleviate their mood and give them a homely feel. Further, the settings can be made for the entire house or specific rooms within the house.

3. Kitchen appliances

The refrigerator that tells you what its contents are and the expiry date of each food item kept in it is newly entering the market. What it can further do is, send you push notifications on your mobile device via a simple mobile application with actionable ideas for placing orders for fresh stock with your vendor. All electronic devices within the kitchen, including the electric stove and oven can be programmed to respond to commands from the mobile device so that you don’t have to get up in the middle of your engrossing sitcom to turn the timer off.

4. Media

Smart televisions and smartphones are already in the market, they can be used to change channels, manage the volume and other adjustments. With a targeted mobile application, the screen can be cast on the wall or any screen, which means, the television may simply become obsolete in a few years. The availability of high speed internet and mobile applications and websites that stream movies and television shows, TV series and even the in-house applications of production houses makes broadcast networks obsolete. In anticipation of the maturing technology where minimalism is a central aspect, we can soon witness sensors and beacons replacing bulky devices within the home space.

5. Water and waste management

A walk through shopping mall or airport restrooms will show you sensor enabled taps and flushes that don’t require physical contact to operate taps. Similar technology is coming into homes and at affordable rates. Water heating/ cooling, setting the showers, Jacuzzi or cleaning the home swimming pool can be automated with mobile application-based command. Further, the waste segregation, recycling and disposal can also be managed with planners of a mobile application.

There are several home automation ideas that can be executed using mobile applications with a comprehensive interface and smart use of the new handsfree technologies. Many are already in the testing phase while many more are still in design and development phase with mobile app development companies.