Smart homes are to residential real estate what self-driven cars are to the automobile world. A smart home, an automated home, an intelligent building- all of these essentially mean the same- homes incorporating devices that control other features/appliances.

One definition of smart homes was given by a technology website, CNET-

"A home that is equipped with network-connected products ("smart products" connected via W-Fi, Bluetooth or similar protocols) for controlling, automating and optimizing functions such as temperature, lighting, security, safety or entertainment, either remotely by a phone, tablet, computer or a separate system within the home itself."

"Smart" homes are directly related to technology, and technology evolves constantly. It is, then, possible for the definition of smart homes to change constantly since its inception.

However surprising it may sound, the earliest understanding of smart homes in India was homes equipped with an automatic washing machine or water geyser. Gradually, the concept evolved to include security systems which could be connected to one's phone or computer. But, people were not very welcoming of such security systems because the installation seemed complicated.

The entry of smartphones in the Indian market definitely made things easier and more accessible.

Not surprisingly, security remains one of the major reasons for the increasing demand for smart homes. It is natural that residents want to feel secure about their living conditions, property, and belongings. Now, smart homes are equipped with security cameras that provide smarter analytics, motion sensors, and facial recognition.

A few years ago, the scope of smart homes was limited to security and surveillance provisions only. Today, however, the scope has expanded to include electronically enabled lighting systems, fire detection systems, gas leakage detection, energy efficient monitoring and entertainment systems.

Smart home technology has developed so much that it is possible to include almost any electrical component within the house in the control system. Heaters, window shutters, curtains, bedside lights, air conditioners… all of these can be controlled through a single system. The idea is to build a smart environment in the house in which all features and devices are automated and connected to each other.

Smart homes are environmentally sustainable and can help reduce the carbon footprint. Not only are these homes more energy efficient, but are also fairly welcoming of provisions like rainwater harvesting systems, sewage treatment systems, and organic waste converters.

One could, then, summarise the characteristics of smart homes as follows:

• Security: Video door monitoring, motion sensors, gas leakage detectors, intrusion sensors, dire detectors, access card entry
• Lighting: Remote control on/off, presence detection
• Electrical: Smart air conditioning, smart refrigerators
• Entertainment: Audiovisual controls, gaming consoles

However, one also needs to look at the potential drawbacks of this concept.




DISADVANTAGES




Installation

Depending on the number of appliances and devices one wants to interconnect, the installation could become complex, time-consuming and expensive.




Complex technology

As fancy as switching lights off through a touch on the phone seems, there is a very complex technology behind it. One major disadvantage is that even for minor flaws one may have to call professionals or disintegrate the entire system.




Lack of compatibility

Sometimes it may happen that all devices may not be compatible to each other or to the central device on which the remote is set up. In such cases, the installation and operation of an automated system become difficult.




Safety concerns

As convenient as it is to be able to do everything from a single touch on the screen, one must not forget that this system is vulnerable to hacking. As a precaution, one must use a hard-wired internet connection rather than Wi-Fi to reduce the risk.

Generally, the costs of buying supplies for such a system and installing it are high. But, this one-time investment becomes worth the money with the cost-cutting that happens in the long run.




ADVANTAGES




Cost efficient

Smart home technology is energy efficient, and in turn, cost-efficient. Such a technology enables appliances, such as air conditioners, to adapt to the residents' behavior and accordingly adjust the temperature in the house.




Convenience

This is an obvious advantage that smart homes offer- everyday things that may seem unpleasing or tiring become automated. Google Home Assistant and Amazon's Alexa are examples of conveniences that smart home technology can offer.









Remote monitoring

So many times it happens that people panic on realizing that they've forgotten to turn off the AC or the water heater. All of these hassles can be done away with through remote monitoring. One can turn lights and other devices off and on at his own convenience.



A few years ago one would have thought that home automation was an exclusive privilege of the rich. But, now that the technology has developed so much, more people can afford to automate their houses (to whatever extent they wish to) and can customize the automation. In fact, according to a report by The Hindu, every year the uptake of smart homes in India is increasing by 15-18% in Tier 1 cities, and by 5-10% in Tier 2 and 3 cities.

For most up-coming luxury projects, smart homes have become a natural setting that the builders provide.