| Wouldn't it be nice to have a robot to pick up | | | | right mood music, with just the click of a button. |
| your slack around the house? With a home | | | | You wouldn’t even have to walk away |
| automation system, it's not as farfetched as you | | | | from your guests. |
| might think. | | | | Security is probably one of the first things people |
| Do you remember George Jetson? His futuristic | | | | associate with home automation. All the entrances |
| world gave a whole generation of cartoon | | | | and openings to your home can be wired so you |
| viewers fantasies about having the ability to | | | | will virtually have an electronic barrier against |
| complete even the most tedious chores with only | | | | intruders around your home twenty-four hours a |
| the push of a button. Well they don’t look | | | | day. Like all the other subsystems in your home, |
| like the Jetson’s Rosie, but robot | | | | it can be operated off-site, so you never have to |
| housekeepers are actually already available. They | | | | worry about whether or not you locked |
| are called home automation systems and look | | | | everything up tight. Most automated systems are |
| more like a fancy thermostat than a metal maid. | | | | also armed with smoke and carbon monoxide |
| A home automation system allows the | | | | detectors. If the barrier is breached in any way, |
| homeowner to control all his home’s | | | | or danger is detected, then it alerts the proper |
| systems via the World Wide Web from virtually | | | | authorities. It could save your life, if you were |
| anywhere Internet access is available. An | | | | injured and unable to do so yourself. |
| automation system harmonizes the air conditioner, | | | | Of course, there are fancier home automation |
| heater, water and appliances. Each subsystem is | | | | options for the rich and famous. According to U.S. |
| wired and connected to a hub, or a central | | | | News, the Gates family home is full of them. |
| processing unit, that ties them all together. Have | | | | That’s right; Bill Gates’ home |
| you ever been rushing on your way to work and | | | | contains about 52 miles of electronic wiring. Every |
| had a sinking feeling that you forgot to turn off | | | | flooring surface in the building is heated, including |
| the stove, or didn’t turn the answering | | | | the driveway and sidewalks. Theoretically, Mr. |
| machine on? If your home was automated, you | | | | Gates could start his favorite music, draw a bath |
| could take care of those things as soon as you | | | | and light his fireplace on his way home from the |
| get to your computer and have absolutely no | | | | office. You can visit to find more information on |
| house related worries for the rest of the day. | | | | home automation. |
| A home automation system can make your | | | | There is a place on the home automation |
| entertainment systems even more fun. No more | | | | spectrum for every household and every budget. |
| missing your favorite television shows because | | | | Whether your priority is safety, convenience or |
| you forgot to set the VCR. The system would | | | | just to show off, there are many options available |
| allow you to start your recorder remotely so you | | | | to you. Who knows, the next step in technology |
| don’t miss a minute. Imagine being able to | | | | evolution might mean hover cars for everyone! |
| adjust the volume on your stereo, for just the | | | | |