Smarten Your Den : Top 7 Home Automation Companies in India

 India's innovative home businesses will be important in 2023 as the nation continues to grow technologically. Numerous Indian businesses are leading the way in this revolution as demand for 44 intelligent home automation solutions grows.

 

Here are seven well-known homeautomation firms in India, that you can go through:

 

1. Anusha Technovision: Hotels, residences, corporate offices, retail stores, studios, and multiplexes can all benefit from Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd. 's (ATPL) comprehensive, all-in-one lighting controls and complete automation systems. A single point of control for the end-user in homes, offices, and hotels across the nation is made possible by ATPL, which has offices in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. As a system integrator, ATPL choses its automation products from many of the reputed OEMs for various projects.

 

2. Crestron: Crestron is a well-known manufacturer of cutting-edge automation and control technologies. They provide solutions for home automation features like lighting, climate control, audio/video distribution, and security.

 

3. Honeywell: A reputable global business that provides home automation solutions is Honeywell. They offer goods including voice-activated control systems, security systems, and smart thermostats.

 

4. Siemens: A leading provider of home automation services, Siemens is a multinational technology corporation. They provide energy management systems, lighting control, and climate control.

 

5. Lutron: Lutron is a well-known business that specialises in solutions for lighting management and window coverings. They provide a comprehensive selection of home automation items, such as motorised window treatments and wireless lighting controls.

 

6. Leading supplier of smart home automation solutions is Control4. They provide a wide variety of goods and services for managing security, audio/video equipment, lighting, and other systems.

 

7. ABB: ABB is a global company that provides electrical and automation solutions, including home automation. They offer goods for managing energy use, integrating smart homes, and controlling lighting.

 

Please note that the home automationindustry is continuously evolving, and new companies may have emerged or gained prominence since my knowledge cutoff. It's always a good idea to research and compare different companies and their offerings before making any decisions.

Surpassing boundaries in age, home automation rendered comfort and convenience to a 75-year-old mother

“Why did you put this system in my room? I do not understand these 'keypads with buttons'. Please replace these with regular switches,” said my mother. 

It was 2012. We had just moved into our recently bought apartment in Noida. We had been living in an apartment in the same society for the past couple of years on rent. My wife was happy that after living on rent, we had finally bought the apartment in the same society and were no longer ‘tenants’ but ‘owners’. My kids who were in middle school were happy that they did not have to move from a society, where they had their own friends. But the challenge for me was to install an Automation system that did not require the breaking of walls and ceilings - just enable minimal work that could justify to the world and to my family that I practiced what I preached - I did want to use automation in my own home. 

After some deliberation, I managed to do that by installing a Lutron system that worked with existing switches and had a mix of on/off devices (lighting, fans, Air-conditioning, and geyser) on keypads in the bedrooms and some dimming in the living and Dining Hall. My 9-year-old son loved it. I eventually had to remove the master control from the common iPad, because in the first few days he discovered he could switch off the lights in his parent's room and his grandparent's room.

The only ones who did not like the 'system' were my parents – especially, my Mom. I asked her what exactly was bothering her in the system. “I do not understand what button does what and I do not want to complicate my life anymore,” she said. I first considered removing the system completely from her room and letting it remain in the rest of the house. 

Then, I decided to try and convince her otherwise. The first thing I did was – I engraved each button. In a few days, she had a nice-looking keypad and it had buttons that were backlit and labeled: Lights, Fan, AC, Geyser, Living, Kitchen, and Master, etc. 

The “Geyser” button caught her eye. She asked if she could honestly turn the geyser on from her bedside. It meant she didn’t have to use the step stool and a stick just to switch on the geyser. (Mind you, she is quite short!) I said yes. She told me to go on. I then explained to her she could use the “Kitchen” button to turn on kitchen lights from her keypad. This meant she did not have to walk in darkness from her bedroom to the kitchen early morning, and she liked it more.

I then told her I could also turn on the geyser and kitchen lights via a time clock and the geyser would automatically turn on/off after half an hour every morning. She seemed less averse to the idea of automation in the house now.  

3 months later, I came home to find my 10-year-old daughter showing off her Living Room Mood lighting from the remote to her friends. My Mom is talking on the phone with my sister in Jaipur telling her how convenient it is that she does not have to remember to switch on the geyser in the morning and she should try it at her home too. 

My wife- well, she says she is happy that she can just check if the kids were up by checking if the room lights were on, on her phone - not only that - she did not need to nudge me anymore to go and switch off the Ac in the kids' room after they were asleep. 

“But we could put on the timer with the AC remote too!” I exclaimed

“Yes,” she says, “I could switch off their AC (after they were asleep for a couple of hours), you see, but could not turn on their fan at the same time from here - Now I can. “ 

Well - To each - their own.

The moral of the story?

A)    Do not sell something to someone that does not work for them. I could never have convinced my mom to see the benefits of using a smartphone to turn the lights on or to use mood lighting, in her room. But the geyser on a keypad or the kitchen switch next to her – worked for her.

B)    It takes time for people to adapt to new technology or even new ideas. Be patient and ask them to do the same.

C)    Keep it simple

- The piece is written by Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd.

What a futuristic home looks like?

“The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create”- Leonard Sweet, American Theologian

People often envision their future as advanced and to be governed by technology in every sense. They want to buy and build things that lead them to the next generation and do not get obsolete. Similarly, even while designing their homes, home-owners want their residences to be exquisite and fitted with the newest fixtures and fittings in the market.

Our lives have been invaded with technology in recent times. With the inclusion of smartwatches, smartphones, automatic cars, and smart classes, it seems fitting that our homes too, are equipped with the best technology available. The next decade’s biggest trend will surely be home automation—which will help to create spaces, wherein technology will assist people in making their day-to-day living easier. 

Why home automation is the next big thing?

Human beings love technology; they like everything that makes their life easier and better. Why then, would they refrain from residing in a space, where everything is possible with a single click? A home where things are done exigently, keeping in mind their mood and preferences is surely a smart home. From adjusting lighting as per specific requirements to making sure that they don’t need to get out of the bed to draw curtains, home automation ensures that one dwells in the lap of comfort.

Home automation can seem like a costly affair; however, when weighed with the benefits that it offers, it surely comes out as a winner. A fully automatic space also means that it would lead to energy conservation and less labor. Lights adjust with the mood or as per the presence of a person. There can be automated drapes or curtains that would also adjust according to the daylight in the room.

With rapid technological changes, it is quite clear that many contemporary and modish products will be introduced in the future, to enhance the scenario of what a futuristic home would look like. Upcoming products launches would eliminate the work of humans to generate a cozy place, where everything can be customized and will be automatic.

Even today, there are houses that have automated lights, drapes, mirror TVs, etc. which add comfort to human lives. Product brands are ensuring that the products are serviced to the consumers, so that they may lead a life full of luxury or plush.

Today, the world can imagine how a fully automatic house would look like and would work- embracing aesthetics, Luxe and a feeling of being in paradise – a place where no one can resist living in.

The piece is written by Alok Hada, Director, AnushaTechnovision Pvt. Ltd.

Energy Efficient Lighting

Lighting constitutes about 35% of the energy consumption in commercial buildings, making it the highest energy consuming component, according to data obtained from the US government. In India, lighting is the second highest component of energy consumption in buildings, only next to HVAC systems, and estimated to be at least 20-25%.

From the data, we can identify that lighting is a crucial factor in efficient building designs and automation systems. There is an effort to make individual lighting fixtures as efficient as possible, but the industry must acknowledge the fundamental role of Lighting Controls in furthering the objective.

Lighting Management systems can cater to three major sectors – Residential, Hospitality and Corporate/Commercial. In residences, preset lighting control systems can cater to aspects of ambience and convenience. Attractive wall-mounted, custom-engraved, and backlit lighting keypads add aesthetics, with optional control via wireless keypads or smart phones providing easy access and flexibility of use.




In the Hospitality sector, the major focus is on achieving the correct ambience with lighting controls.Hotels such as the ‘ITC Group’ who are  energy conscious, also stress on reducing energy consumption through controls. Here again, the preset Lighting control systems play a role. In commercial or corporate settings, the main driver for automation is the ability to reduce power consumption through the usage of sensors such as occupancy sensors and day light sensors. This is all then monitored and measured through a Lighting Management System (LMS), called Quantum System from Lutron. In the last 3-4 years, this sector has experienced tremendous growth.

Where energy efficient lighting fixtures are low hanging fruits, allowing reduction in usage, without compromising on the quality of ambience or convenience; Lighting Controls form the network, the tree itself, enhancing flexibility to change the transfer of resource depending on real-time requirements.

By incorporating state of the art Lighting Management systems, buildings can achieve energy savings targets and desired management levels with real time monitoring and control. Integrating hardware and software, and to service and combine dimming modules, occupancy sensors, motorized shades, sun trajectory sensors, daylight sensors and time clock controls; supported and optimized by data that is collected from sensors, time clocks and scientific sources; spaces can be made more resilient.

- Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Smart Bathroom (Part 2)

What's in Store?

With a lot of technological advancements, there are a few products which have made a mark in this field and have done extremely well.

1. HomeWorks system provides convenient, intelligent and sophisticated control of your home's lighting and shades, and can be integrated with security and audiovisual systems. In addition to enhancing your lifestyle, HomeWorks Architectural and Designer style controls can also enhance your décor and complement your home. Centralized dimming panels can be used to provide control of multiple zones of light in a room or throughout your home from a single keypad.

2. Agath mirror TVs are the latest generation flat, waterproof television sets for bathroom and spa. It’s unique design needs no ventilation. In fact if one wanted to change anything (lighting, music, or even water temperature) you could do that with the touch of a button or from your smart phone or even better call out and have the voice commands be given to the Automation system that obeys like an obedient servant, only one that never takes leave! Something that replenishes the toilet roll automatically, tells me If I forget my towel and even better hands the towel  out to me. Tells me If I need to have fresh blades for my razor and if the soap and shampoo stock in the bathroom is about to get over, it automatically orders it from my grocery store!

Smart Bathroom (Part 1)

Smart technology- does not mean you need to be a smart user! It means technology that makes use of products - easier and more convenient. In a bathroom specifically, while bathroom fittings are increasingly focusing on turning this mundane activity of a daily shower or use of the toilet, into a more relaxing and even enjoyable experience, we are moving to the world where comfort and luxury and technology are all intertwined, and the bathroom is one area in the house that is important and for some even central to this concept.

Smart Bathroom  is one that could turn the lights on as soon as you enter it. It would be intuitive enough to know if you entered during the night or day and adjust the lighting accordingly. It would play your favorite FM channel /music as soon as you started your daily bathroom activity. It would have the temperature of the water to just the right level for you. The toilet seat would become warm in winters and cool in summers. These are some of the technological advancements that have changed the very face of the bathrooms today.

In the past, a bathroom was a small, bog-like standard room. It was known for being one of the last places homeowners would renovate, but that is no longer the case. The bathroom is becoming a highly valued part of the home. Because of this, more homeowners are making improvements to their bathroom decor, accessories and appliances. Nowadays, many improve or renovate their bathrooms for relaxation and hygiene purposes. 

Motorized Shading System (Part 2)

What's in store?

SivoiaQS is the next generation of shading technology from Lutron, and the ideal solution for total light control. Its simplified wiring and common communication language allows for easy integration with Lutron lighting controls. Control electric light and daylight now at the touch of a button! It offers precision control of shades in one room, multiple rooms, or an entire home or building all at the touch of a button. Using the proprietary Clear Connect™ RF Technology from Lutron, Sivoia QS Wireless directly integrates with Lutron lighting control systems, delivering total light control to any space.

Features:

·         Precision Control of Daylight

·         Total Light Control

·         Ultra-Quite Performance

·         Easy to Design, Install and Integrate

·         Simple Operation, Beautiful Aesthetics

Add convenience :

•        Adjust shades with a wire-free handheld or wall-mounted control from anywhere in the room

•        A single button press adjusts hard-to-reach window treatments

•        Operate quietly to prevent disruption in any space

•        Cord-free design makes this solution safe for homes with young children or pets

 

 Enhance your décor :

•        Choose from beautiful fabrics, colors, styles, and textures

•        Give your room a crisp, clean look that complements many decorating styles

Save energy :

•        Lower shades in summer to insulate the space and help reduce cooling costs

•        Raise shades in winter to let sun in during the day and lower them at night to trap the day’s heat, and reduce heating costs

•        Insulate your home effectively with the heat-trapping air pockets of insulating honeycomb shades, which enhance energy efficiency

Types of Motorized Shades Solutions:

·         Curtain/ Drapery Track System

·         Roller Shades/ Blinds

·         Roman Shades

·         Venetian Blinds

·         Kirbe Vertical Drapery Systems

·         Skylight Shades

To know more visit our website >>

LED Lighting & Controls

LED Lighting while being beneficial in a lot of ways, primarily output and efficiency output versus the energy consumed brings with it, a whole new set of issues that we at ATPL, in the business of lighting controls have to deal with regularly. Since the LED juggernaut is rolling on with no signs of stopping, it is best that we understand that everything (Lighting) in a project is going to be LED and prepare ourselves accordingly.

Just because we have dimmers does not mean that LED fixture will dim!

One of the most common misconceptions among end users is that if they have opted for Lighting controls, the LED lights purchased will dim. It is necessary to inform them that not every LED light is dimmable. In fact, the majority of the LED lights that are available in the market today are not fitted with dimmable drivers. One question that everyone needs to ask when purchasing an LED lighting fixture is “Is it dimmable”?

This brings us to the basic question - What makes the LED light dimmable? or

'What comprises of an LED fixture'?

In short, an LED Lighting fixture comprises of:

a) The Light Engine – which is the LED chip that emits light when current passé through it

b) Power supply or Driver that supplies the right amount of current through the LED chip

c) Heat Sink and casing, that ensures the right temperature for a longer life of the LED chip. It is the 

LED driver that receives the dimming signal from the dimmer and varies current or voltage accordingly to allow dimming of the light output. The LED driver either maintains a constant current or a constant voltage while varying the other, to vary the light output from the LED engine.
The type of dimming signal varies and is again dependent upon what the driver will accept. The common types prevalent in the market are 1-10 volts, phase controlled dimming (line voltage dimming), DALI dimming and DMX dimming. Please be clear that the dimming signal types does not have a bearing on the quality of dimming. The capability of the dimmable driver to a large extent determines the dimming quality and that its capability comprises of parameters that have to do with consistent performance and light output (Flicker free dimming) over the stated range of dimming signal.