Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Home Automation: Why We Like The Idea So Much

Home automation is something we can get into. Now we don't want to sound like we're lazy or anything but at the same time it's nice to have a set up where the house does a lot of work for you. After all we're pretty busy people when it comes to work. We are constantly doing our thing trying to bring you information on topics like this one for instance that we find ourselves busy quite often. Therefore when it is time for us to retire to our homes we like the idea of having a home that can automatically adjust to us and be just the right temperature and climate inside. Then when it is time to sit down and watch the tube we like having the volume automatically set up to a level that we are comfortable with and on our favorite channel with just a click of a button.

Yeah we will admit we like creature comforts and the concept of home automation provides just that but that isn't to say that we can be mature enough to accept the important aspects of it. Considering that home automation works very well in going hand in hand with home security then we are obligated to tell you that it is an incredible asset to have. Think about all the crazy stuff that could happen and how much more aware you can be of it that's not to say that people are going to constantly attempt to break into your house, we are not trying to scare you after all.

There may even be times that the intruder is not even an intruder at all it could just end up being a stray animal or other form of wildlife that has set off your motion detector. At the time it may seem like a nuisance to get up for an intruder that just turns out to be a minor nuisance. However, knowing that you have this safeguard will put you one step ahead of the game if such a thing ever did occur. Any other emergency situations that occur are definitely a plus when accounted for by home automation. Communications systems can automatically alert those that need to handle your emergency such as the police, ambulance and fire departments.

The only thing we can say is that we hope everyone is able to have this technology and have it at its very best because its intentions are very noble. With home automation a lot of people could benefit from services that go beyond fancy frills. Now don't get us wrong we like the idea of having our home treat us like the king of the castle but we are more concerned with it doing things such as maintaining our safety and overall comfort. This process and technology is the perfect candidate for doing that and in time we have no doubt that one day maybe even you dear reader will be able to attest to

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Helping Older People With Home Automation

One article above all others that must be written on home automation has to be in regard to handling its changes. A lot of people despite the fact that we are not living in the stone age anymore still question some forms of technology. After all some people in the older generation may get scared witless by a computer or a cell phone. Now we understand that those types of people may not be reading this article so you may ask why are we bothering to bring this point up. Well, one reason we can give you is that you might be someone with home automation related technology in your house and have someone like this living with you. It could be a parent, grandparent or even great grandparent. If this is the case this article will stand to benefit greatly for you to read.

Now one way to help this transition with this individual is to show them how your automated systems will work. Trust us it's an investment of time but it will be worth it in the end to help this person out. After all as your elder they have raised you and looked after your welfare. This time you are returning the favor and it is not going to be easy to help but it is something that would be good to do. One measure that we can definitely tell you to go with is to post instructions for the automated equipment on the wall or in a place the information will stay safe. This will allow for the occupant in your house that isn't too savvy with this technology to understand how it works to an extent.

After all if it's a summer day and the person wants to cool down from the intense heat you don't want them walking into a room and having the temperature settings be automatically set to a temperature exceedingly greater than what's outside. That could be a very uncomfortable situation. Plus the way some of these automated settings could work especially with a stereo or television could be downright startling especially to an older person. Make sure you warn folks like this where some of these areas in the house are and what they can do to disable the system for any reason.

We also recommend that you do your best to tell these older loved ones that a lot of this automated technology can be a great help. It may take some getting used to but as we do get older in age having technology help us does indeed make things a little easier. If the older people living in your household are mentally and physically capable of handling this technology there should be no problem. Like we said before it may take a little time because it is overwhelming but not impossible to handle.

Home automation serves a great purpose but make sure more importantly it is serving you and that you in return are serving those that will need your help adjusting to its changes.

Monday, February 16, 2009

Home Automation and Robots

Now we know this article may sound like the wackiest one that you probably have EVER read but we are serious on the subject. Home automation has had some very interesting aspects to it but one of the most amazing that we can think of has to be the use of robots. Again forgive us for the nature of this article we are not trying to write a sci-fi article this stuff like all the other home automation technology is more fact these days than fiction. We do not kid! Now let's explain a bit about the robot concept with home automation it is a very cool and interesting one. If we do say so ourselves. Now as far as these type of robots go they are better known as domestic robots and they perform household chores for the occupants.

So far it is definitely something that isn't common to a household like a computer has been for quite some time. Now a lot of people watch movies or read books and see that the domestic robot is a fixture in all those sci-fi stories. Laugh at it at first but it could very well be a reality. We just mentioned computers there were years and years previous to the technological boom with computers where the common man would never dream of even owning one. These days there are households that have more than one computer in their household. Domestic robots are a very good example of a home automated accessory that you could very well see in many a household one day.

In fact Microsoft founder Bill Gates even authored a piece on the subject called "A Robot In Every Home". This writing discusses the potential of where we could see this technology wind up in the coming years. The business icon sees society functioning alongside these machines one day.

There are three levels of robots that we know about right now that are available. They all serve different functions and vary in their level of sophistication in their use. For starters we have the low level robot it's the basic bot intended for the home and is mostly intended for entertainment like the toy known as Aibo. Then there are robots that do work and tasks for you. They're called care and chore robots. Then there is the domobot the high end of the homebots. These do it all they are excellent for doing work around the house and they operate freely via a Wi-Fi network or a smart environment. Some may use USB technology too.

As of the year 2006 there is an amount of service robots in use in an estimated number of 3,540,000. This is in comparison to the 950,000 industrial robots. These are definitely some fascinating stats and figures to actually think about with this burgeoning technology. Home robots definitely have the potential of being home automation's crowning jewel of technologies and it may just happen sooner than you think.

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Home Automation: Home Theaters

So we thought we would bring up a facet of home automation that fascinates us and we feel will do the same for you. The idea of a home theater working to your very likely and playing what you want it to play with little to no work involved. Let us think about what exactly that means for a moment. We all know that more likely than not that everyone living in your house has their own preferences in the way of what he or she may want to watch on television or play on their stereo. Not only that but there are also some other particular preferences that person may off. What exact channel the person wants to have on at a certain time such as when they first wake up they may want to have it on the daily news. Another individual may want to have their favorite TV show that they TiVoed come on after they get home from work.

Some people also have a particular preference in volume level and automated settings help make that possible for your exact level of customization to be understood and accepted. We have to say that as technology geeks that is so cool and basically we would feel like kings if we had that sort of set up. It definitely is a way that allows for everyone in the house to enjoy something the way they want it when they want it. For those in the house with multiple TV sets this will definitely allow for everything to have it their way. Man home automation again is something that just re-revolutionizes itself almost every single time we even mention it, let alone letting it do its own thing to start with.

Now when it comes to entertaining folks with your automated home theater that is another strength it serves to have. You can play the ultimate party host by just walking into the room and activating your home theater settings to dim the lights the right way. After that the screen gets nice and bright and that cinematic style sound just blares through your house and it's doing it all on its own. You would almost think there is someone standing above you in another room operating a film projector that is how close home automation would make this feel like the real thing.

In fact you can even say it is the real thing these days with how much better the process is getting each and every time. If watching a movie is not something you are in the mood for right now but you want to have some form of entertainment then music is always another good alternative. With stereo systems also being able to work with your automated technology you can easily have your favorite song playing in the room when you enter it. It is almost if that song was waiting to play just for you at just that moment.

We can say that we would be fat and happy with that set up and we know you would too. Home automation thank you for your very existence. Where would we be without you?

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Home Automation And Security Measures

One aspect of home automation that wows us beyond anything else has got to be the way security measures are handled with this process. Let us start with a very good example of top notch automated security and that is with surveillance. If you are one of the types that can afford this sort of thing the instant an intruder shows up you could for example have a monitor set up in a far distant room that you may be in that picks up exactly what the camera sees. Motion detectors are another great example of a technology within home automation that serves a great purposes when combined with security measures. Therefore if someone is moving around your lights could detect that someone is outside that may not belong. Sometimes it may be nothing and just be some form of wildlife running around but you can never be too careful. This very vital integration of security systems is an awesome concept that falls under the umbrella of automation.

You can also install magnetic sensors on windows and doors that can also detect something that may be going awry. Any disasters like gas leaks, water leaks and frighteningly enough fires can also be detected by your security systems. From there a properly working automated set up will inform you the occupant and anyone else inside at a moments notice. If something like glass or any other structure is broken or has their integrity compromised in anyway you can better believe that home automation technology will be looking for this like a hawk. It is amazing to think that your house is basically acting as its own security guard but hey as long as it is doing the job how can you go wrong?

Should a medical emergency befall you or anyone in your household you can bet that there is a technology within automation that will take care of that one for you and dial 9-1-1 immediately upon such an incident. For the privacy in our homes that we need every now and then your blinds will automatically be set to close and open when made at your request.

Now a lot of this stuff does sound pretty far out but we do not kid when we say that it is out there. We have to admit we salivate at the possibility of having a house that can do all this it would definitely help us rest easier at night! But one day we are pretty hopeful we will be able to get in on some of this home automation security action. Especially if we have property like home theaters and other valuables to worry about. After all you buy something you want to protect your investment.

Just remember that in your first line of defense you can count on home automation being one of your most faithful servants in the way of a security measure. To us it is just a notion that comes automatically pardon the pun.

Friday, February 13, 2009

Home Automation: Its Possibilities

Home automation is a very interesting idea and technology that has potential that we will only see continue to do new things. From what we have seen in print, television and the internet the possibilities for this process is just downright amazing. We say it without exaggeration that this is something that has a face that practically changes every day. Now if we actually stop to think about it for a second we all have go through some process of home automation in our domiciles. You may think that is an odd remark to make but in all reality it is true. Now the levels of sophistication vary from one house or appliance to the next but believe us whether you realize it or not home automation is something that we all have used at one point or another.

We got a feeling you are scratching your head though and wondering what exactly we mean by this statement. Think about how we used to live way back when humankind started. We were living in caves and had to make our own fire to cook food and other accommodations that we know today were not even a thought back in that time. Then when we started actually building our own homes out of materials we still had to many thinks like cooking and bathing without the use of machinery. Eventually technology would evolve to where only the wealthy could afford these appliances that could do what fire or water could. In time though as the technology got better almost everyone could afford this conveniences. In its earliest forms stoves and showers were great example of home automated based technology. They both took out a lot of the work that was required for cooking and bathing and made it much easier.

In time as we've seen stuff light lights and certain tools are able to work by themselves without a heavy amount of human effort. Now for home automation as we know it today, is going through the same process of development like the technologies we had just mentioned in the last paragraph. Some of the processes that we see in this technology will eventually become more common to people who can't afford it just yet. While to the average guy the idea of a room automatically setting itself to a certain temperature when you walk into it is a fantasy it won't be that way forever.

It may sound like it will because you look at the price tag and your jaw drops to the floor at the exorbitant amount of dollars you may see but again it will not be that way forever. Now we are not saying that we are going to be living like those families you in see in those films set in 2429 but home automation will indeed be something that will continue to become more available as the years progress.

Now if we were to say that we are betting folks we would put every penny that the face of home automation will be one that you will not be able to recognize as the technology improves. We just hope that when that day comes you will still remember us the next time we make another great discovery. After all we want to be sure that you continue to be one of the first we tell! Thanks for reading!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

What Makes Home Automation So Interesting?

This one we think is a no brainer but we thought that since we love talking about the pros of having such cool stuff like home automation. We said to ourselves what better way to celebrate the virtues of this wonderful technology then to write an entire article about it. Yup, we think that is pretty much the way to go. So where do we begin on explaining how cool this stuff is. For starters we have to say that having a room that conforms to who you are as a person rules.

Think about it for a second you walk into your bathroom and automatically your bath water comes on at the right temperature you want it to. Not to mention that your favorite song could in theory also start at that same moment along with your lights dimmed or brightened in the way you want it. These things can even detect it if a person other than you is coming in so confusion is avoided and what happens when they enter is different from when you do. One simple push of a button can make that happen. All we can say is just wow that is awesome. Forgive us for getting a little carried away but we have to say that for those who work a long day, that's just a dream.

Now there are some important utilitarian functions that work for the homeowner that wants to capitalize on home automation. For instance fire protection and burglary measures are done in an amazing fashion. An entire household can be informed in an instant when smoke or fire may spread through the house. Wi-Fi has been the catalyst to a lot of the breakthroughs with this advent in fire safety. Measures to alert occupants about the presence of home invaders or other outside nuisances can also be owed to this process.

As we continue to grow as a society we find ourselves in so many high stressed situations that home automation has become a feature that really helps out the user whose life is just filled with business. Which today is even more so crazy and sometimes overwhelming. Therefore having your house helping you out with doing stuff like drawing your bath, or turning your home theater on for you is a relief. Then the way it can save your bill paying woes from being too woeful is another thing we applaud.

We all know that electrical bills can be a pain in the neck well having automated settings will ensure that your appliances and accessory will automatically turn themselves off if you happen to nod off or leave the room without turning everything off. The idea of paying such high energy bills will become a very distant thought and then just become non-existent. Home automation what a beautiful sounding thing is it not? Again we know we have probably annoyed the heck out of you. But the most important thing is that we got a good feeling we just made our point as to why it has this great distinction.

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

House Automation: How It Can Help The Elderly

For the elderly the idea of living alone can be a frightening concept even if that person wants their independence. These days home automation can help make this possible and at the same time avoid the typical worries and concerns that are often associated with leaving an elderly love one to live alone. This is a very good alternative compared to being relocated to a place like a nursing home. The idea of relocated a mentally fit loved one to a home is a very tragic one but the utilization of automation technology can either slow down or just outright stop such a thing from happening.

Living in a smart home that has the basic requirements of good home automation can work wonders for the elderly loved one that you do not have the heart to move out of the household. Emergency assistance, security, safeguards against falls, alert signals and timed appliances are a great help in keeping an elderly person in his or her existing home. After all it is where they have been spending a good part of their life. It is not fair to think of them living the rest of their days in a nursing home. With a supportive family the loved one can rest assured that their best interests will be taken care of via a communications system within their automated technology.

A suitable smart home will come equipped with a setup that will allow family members to check up on their elderly loved one via the internet. Therefore if anything of an urgent nature arises the person will not be left in a precarious position and all will be well. There is no doubt in our minds that this is a safe and very suitable alternative for elderly individuals that are fit to live at home albeit with some assistance.

It is important of course to be patient for this cause because at this stage of life these people need all the support that they can get. With a smart home set up you can give them that feeling of being home and free but with a close eye to watch over them if help is needed. We feel this is one of the many positive points regarding home automation that we cannot argue with. This is definitely an example of using a technology for all its right reason and not for frivilous ones. The concept of home automation is still one that not everyone may totally understand but trust us it is something that could prove to be an incredible quality of life booster.

Just because a person has reached a point in their life where living on their own may provide some challenge it's not an impossible scenario. The leaps and bounds that house automation has seen itself take is proof of that. And for what we think it is not going to slow itself down any sooner in fact we only see it getting that much better.

Monday, February 9, 2009

Home Automation In Emergency Situations

Home automation is always going to outdo itself and we are glad for that one because we would not want to see this technological juggernaut fall victim to regression. Especially with emergency situations we have done our homework on this and we have to say that above all else the technology of a smart home is best when working on emergencies. After all like anything else in life ensuring safety and aiding in solving a problem are both top priorities. The key to combating emergency situations in an automated home is simple, make sure you are prepared and have the adequate things in mind. These things would include proper communication set up in your household and that lights are present in the house where they will be needed most. With those two bases covered we feel we can move on and make some more good points.

It is important that if you have an automated home setup that you are in tune with emergency contacts like police, fire and hospital buildings. You can never be too safe in covering all the bases as they say. Plus with the technology improving so much it is foolhardy not to have it where your house is programmed to alert the authorities if something is wrong. You never know what kind of situation could arise. There are times where a disaster could happen and the individual in peril may not be able to reach a phone. Therefore something as simple as a voice command could trigger the home automation devices to alert the proper people to provide aid and assistance.

Something like this could mean the difference between life and death and that is something that this technology amongst other things can very well do. For people like the elderly this will definitely be something that will help their quality of life out immensely. The fear of any sort of injury or sickness is reduced greatly with home automation. In the right hands and with proper work automated homes could be an even bigger thing and hopefully more widespread in its availability.

There are so many different emergency situations that could arise that we just cannot think of them all but there are some that obviously are more extreme than others and can benefit from home automation being implemented to lessen their impact. Fires are the biggest example of this one because they are obviously just downright destructive. With your home automation set up and ready to go a fire can instantly be reported to a fire department without you having to do a single thing in theory.

We still recommend that you make sure to call if that is an option but depending on how bad the fire is getting near a phone may not always occur. Therefore we cannot dismiss home automation or its value as a safeguard. So once more it has our vote as a technologically excellent pick in the way of enhancing your home plus it keeps you safe all at the same time. What more could you want?

Saturday, February 7, 2009

Home Automation

You ever watch an episode of the Jetsons and see how "Rosie The Robot" takes care of all the cooking, cleaning and the like for the family? And that when it's time to get a change of clothes one press of the button makes it possible for the futuristic family to get what they need when they need it. Well these days the idea of some of these creature comforts is not all that far from reality in certain cases. We call this concept home automation. Now our definition of the concept may be simplifying things a little too much so we'll further elaborate on the concept. Fair enough? Also known as smart homes or domotics it's a process that specifically meets what's needed to make many routine home processes safely and comfortably. Many of the common home automation processes are climate and lighting control, windows and doors, and survelliance setups. But let's not forget some of the other processes which go beyond the utilitarian. For instance you can have your plants, pet feeding, dinner and party setups and home entertainment all be automated.

So as you can see this home automation thing is pretty cool. After all, who can fault you for wanting to have as much done for you as possible. If technology can provide it why not capitalize on it right? We mentioned some of those processes that you can make automatic such as your plant watering. Sometimes we get so busy that we may forget this often beautiful forms of life. As long as the water necessary for the process is being routed through the spigots and the programming is done correctly then you'll be in good shape. Dinners and parties can be so crazy sometimes that you may forget to have the lights set up a certain way or you have a music setup that you don't want to have get messed up. With having your displays set to turn on by itself you'll save yourself the embarrassment of forgetting to turn your stuff on. Then for those who want to have the home theater experience to the full tilt then this idea is the one for you.

Home automation
and home theater well they both have home in their names! That must mean that they're meant for one another are they not? With automation set for your home theater you can have that cinematic experience work the same way each and every time. With automatic powering on and off of your home theater system you won't have to worry about forgetting to turn something off after use. Trust us this will save you that money when it comes time to pay the good old gas and electric folks.

Just face it the idea of home automation just makes life so much easier for you and isn't that something you like the sound of? Admit it you know you were always envious of the Jetsons when you were a kid. Thinking about the press of one button could bring you an four course meal, well from the looks of it that envy may automatically become a memory.