Home automation evolution: Understanding the future of homes
Out with the “smart” homes, in with the “think-free” homes. Sounds silly, but we’re introducing what the future of homes looks like when we stop thinking about them. And the solution is here today: automation. Let’s break the first barrier and uncover a real understanding of home automation, beyond the apps and voice control.
First, let’s settle what automation is not…
It’s not our fault to believe that when a light turns on, or a thermostat adjusts to a temperature, by making this happen in an app, or by voice control, means that it is automated. Products are often connected to smartphones and the cloud, but this shouldn’t be the only way. It’s merely an overload of manual control that gets in the way of the job to be done by technology.
Realizing your own home automation evolution
Automation is what happens when technology blends into the background. Let’s simplify the concept so you gain an understanding of how a home can become controlled by technology to think for itself – based on reliable standards, no code required.
A step farther than app and voice control, truly automated functions will work based on factors of presence, temperature and environment, customized settings such as schedules and more. Cloud-free and secure. This is the future, happening now.
When you look at these levels of home evolution below, we want you to think about:
What are your current offerings? What is the next step? What will it take to get there?
Level 0:
Traditional Home
The conventional electrical installation and basic technology. Too much wasted energy and money. Not to mention, every time you leave the room or the house, thinking about what lights, music and more that you need to shut off.
- Traditional lighting
- Basic heating/cooling
- Disconnected devices
Smart Home 1.0:
Control Systems
Now everything is connected to work together – requiring complicated layers of control. At this level, many believe automation is already achieved – this is not yet the case.
- AV & control systems
- Complicated remotes
- Labeled switches
Smart Home 2.0:
Smart Devices
An abundance of smart devices connect to the internet and work independently with one purpose. This often results in overuse of apps/voice control. Is it really smart to talk to the walls and live through your phone? Technology overload!
- Smart lights
- Smart thermostats
- An app for every device
Future of Home Automation
A Loxone smart home thinks for itself so you don’t have to. Devices communicate and work on their own, according to specific standards and settings.
- Fewer switches, simplified control
- Zoned HVAC, multiroom audio (more than music)
- Wellness-driven lighting
- Energy-saving controls
- All systems in one app
Loxone’s solutions for the future of homes
Even if you don’t recognize these products, you can see how automation is growing year after year in our ever-evolving product line. Each of these products plays a role in the interaction between solutions for lighting and security, shading and heating or even access control. All customized and monitored in one Loxone App – there if you need it, but not required.
Learn how to start offering technology for smarter living that does more than just switches and apps in our Kickstart Course.
Are you taking the leap into the future?
Now that you see where the future of homes and automation is headed, let’s take a look at common concerns for taking the leap into the future. Technology exists to solve problems, but with the overwhelming number of smart devices that become “connected”, are you solving the right problem?
For example, concerns we often hear from dealers fall into these two categories:
“I’m worried about time and money…” or
“I don’t want to complicate things…”
“I don’t have time to spend on a three-day training course and invest in a completely new system.”
Are you solving the right problem?
In reality this means, you’re already spending time and money on products that customers are asking about, but it’s taking you several days and weeks to fully implement the “smart” behind the system. Sometimes it feels like the products are falling short, but you and your customers don’t know what else really is the smarter option out there.
You’re keeping busy making money, but there is room for improvement. Technology is taking over, but how do you keep it truly under control in the background?
If you’re too comfortable with your current problems with hardware and software, this doesn’t mean learning another option will cause you more problems. Maybe you’re acknowledging the wrong problem to begin with?
“In the extra time I was able to save from programming, I was able to quote more projects to customers and profit from more solutions and offerings all in one shot.”
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