| Home automation, also referred to as "domotics", | | | | Security control systems such as CCTVs and |
| refers to the construction, actuation and/or | | | | motion detectors are becoming common in many |
| application of automated systems of the home, all | | | | homes. These home automation systems detect |
| geared at maximizing and enhancing the comfort, | | | | very minute changes to the surroundings by use |
| security and convenience of an individual home | | | | of radio or infrared technology and warn the |
| user. | | | | homeowner of possible intrusions. These systems |
| These systems touch on such areas of the home | | | | can also be set up to turn on at certain times of |
| as security, multimedia, robotics, lighting, | | | | the day and night automatically. |
| inter-communication systems, etc. The systems | | | | A common application today is in intercom |
| are basically remote controlled and self - | | | | technology. A user interacts with the system via |
| activating, where the idea is to minimize on human | | | | a microphone and a speaker. Some advanced |
| control or interaction and maintenance of the ideal | | | | systems can recognize individual voices and act |
| home environment as programmed into these | | | | accordingly, based on how they have been |
| systems. | | | | programmed. These systems have proven to be |
| Practical application of some of these home | | | | very secure and effective in keeping away |
| automation systems may, for example, include in | | | | intruders. |
| such areas as automatic control of room | | | | Home automation systems however, like any |
| temperature and lighting, detection of fire, water | | | | other comfort appliances or systems, may have |
| and/or gas leaks, automatic switching on and off | | | | their down or negative sides. For example, some |
| of home entertainment systems, intruder (burglar) | | | | of these technologies employed in their |
| detection systems and robotic application systems | | | | construction may have harmful ray emissions |
| where robots get to perform manual home tasks | | | | such as laser beams, radio waves, etc. These |
| such as cleaning around, running petty (physical) | | | | home comforts have also led to reduced human |
| errands around the house, etc. Not so common | | | | contact resulting in anti-social behavior. |
| applications may include plant watering, pet | | | | Home automation is about comfort, convenience |
| feeding, pool heating and face recognition | | | | and security. This comfort and security comes |
| systems. | | | | with a heavy price to pay. Installation and |
| Home automation also has lighting control systems | | | | maintenance of some automated systems is |
| which allow the home owner to control not only | | | | very expensive. These costs are invariably high |
| the lighting but also lighting levels of a house. | | | | and therefore out of reach to most people. |
| These systems, with the help of a touch panel | | | | However, it is expected that as more people |
| and an inbuilt processor, allow homeowners to | | | | come to appreciate technology and its |
| trigger lights or other devices like fans, usually the | | | | convenience in people's daily lives and as individual |
| entire house at once. Some more advanced | | | | incomes continue to rise, home automation will be |
| lighting systems are able to detect human | | | | a more common feature of many homes |
| presence in a room and change the settings to | | | | worldwide. They not only save on time but also |
| personal preferences. | | | | give people a sense of security. |