With all the various devices equipped with remote sensing and control technology, how automated can life in a smart home be?
Imagine this: You had a bad day at work and you are driving back with a throbbing headache. Upon reaching home, the front gate opens seamlessly and closes once you are in the compound.
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You get out of your car, your front door opens, and the house lights come on. Inside, the air-conditioner has been turned on and is cooling the house.
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You step into your bathroom and the water temperature is just right to help reduce the intensity of your headache. You settle into bed, curtains drawn and the light dim enough for you to doze off.
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You awake to sunlight gently streaming into your bedroom, and you hear the coffee machine percolating.
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That’s how smart a smart home can be.
The Good Side
- You get to live a worry-free life
Since you control the appliances and systems through your smartphone, you need not make a U-turn to check if you have turned off the heater.
- Perfect environment for the elderly
If you have elders in the family, or if you are growing seasoned yourself, automated home systems are a blessing as you won’t have to manoeuvre much. All you need is a remote to control everything in the house.
- You will save time
If you are a very busy person, holding the one key to every appliance and system in your house will save you a considerable amount of time in the long run.
The Bad Side
- A possibility of being hacked
Smart home data is very crucial and can be used for all the wrong reasons if fallen into the wrong hands. Hackers may try to infiltrate the intelligent home. If they succeed, they will be able to control the appliances and systems in your home to aid a break-in.
- Hard for less tech-savvy people
Less tech-savvy users could be intimidated by the home automation applications and may not buy into the idea of a smart home.
Read more about the current state of smart homes in Malaysia.
