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.

Smart Home Technology For A Sustainable Lifestyle

Living a sustainable lifestyle requires a great deal of dedication and awareness. Over the years, the environment has been harmed and polluted in numerous ways by us. Keeping that in mind, we are learning together to make a change by doing small bits to reduce the carbon footprint.

 

Before investing in smart home technology, it is crucial to understand what it means. Smart home technology incorporates a range of products that can be used at home to make everyday life more comfortable and simpler. The home can be transformed using advanced technology with a simple set-up and connection to the internet system.

Though smart home systems vary widely in pricing and capabilities, there are a number of affordable options available to make the right choice. Whether you select one simple device for your home or make your full home a smart home, you can pick the one suitable for your needs and budget.

Smart Plugs

Smart plugs can make a great addition to your home for smart set-ups. They can be used to set a schedule or use a voice command to turn on or off anything. With these plugs set to a timer, you can watch TV while falling asleep and a lot more without worrying about wasting electricity or fire risks. Not only do devices like this simplify your life, but they also keep you in line with your sustainable lifestyle goals.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats work similar to regular thermostats but with greater control  and accessibility. With the integration of mobile devices, you can turn the AC on or off from anywhere in the world. It also allows you to see how much energy you have been using. 

Smart Appliances

Going eco friendly while buying your new appliance is a great option to consider. There are several appliances integrated with smart capabilities that can help your devices run more efficiently. Some of the features that these appliances come with are alerting you when the door is open, connection with smart devices etc. While purchasing these appliances, click for the certification with an official energy efficiency label to invest in an eco-friendly appliance.

Smart Lighting

One of the easiest ways of making a smart and efficient switch to a sustainable life with automation is introducing smart lighting into your home. Replacing incandescent light bulbs with smart LED bulbs can reduce your energy consumption. The LED bulbs are also safer and produce less waste over time. Using a mobile device to control the lighting in your home will ensure that you never forget to turn off lights when leaving a room.

- Alok Hada, Director, Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd

Amp up your home with these smart home automation tips

The festival season is the ideal time to invite friends and family into your glimmering smart home. Whether you’re relaxing, partying, or you just want to show off your 65-inch TV, how can you make things even better? Well, putting that tech to work can make your life easier and give you more time to focus on enjoying festivals. Anusha Technovision Pvt. Ltd offers a brief overview of how to get technology to lighten up your home, almost literally in some cases!

Save Energy

One of the key benefits of home automation is that it allows saving energy at home by scheduling your exterior lights so they aren’t on when they don’t need to be, using motion sensors that automatically turn off when you leave the room. It’s a great way to conserve power and have the best decoration, without dealing with an outrageous electric bill.

Cook With Ease

Whether baking festive delicacies or cooking an entire family dinner, you can use smart appliances to help with preparation. Your smartphone will notify you when the delicacies are cooked, while the safety sensors remind you if you have left the stove on, and the smart refrigerator alerts when the door is left open. 

 

Pick pretty pieces

Gone are the days when smart home automation devices were oversized eyesores. Now it's entirely possible to find sleek and stylish smart devices that won't draw attention. Smart devices are now small enough to be tucked away on a bookshelf and come in classic colours and design, that complement your home decor theme. 

Automate Your Festive Lighting

If you’ve got some lighting out in the garden, why not consider some weatherproofed on/off modules so you can avoid the need for manual control? Apply the same to your lights and decorations indoors so you’ve got all that lighting covered and you can automate it just by a click on your smartphones or tablets.

Create The Right Mood for Dinner

Now, with all the food in place, you can use automation to set the scene for the perfect meal. Create a dining room scene so that the lights are tailored accordingly, and your festive playlist kicks in. With a smart thermostat in place, the temperature is dialled in without you needing to continually fiddle with a manual alternative. All that remains is to enjoy all that lip-smacking food with your nearest and dearest.

Use wireless home security and smart home automation systems provided by ATPL to enhance your decorations, add a little warmth—literally and figuratively, and help make the festive season more fun and comfortable.

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

Trends in Commercial Automation

As technology continues to entwine itself into our lives, we fail to put forward the numerous ways it has made our life better and easier. From the first bulb that ever came into existence to the voice automated Siri, technology has become an indispensable part of our lives and it is safe to say that it has become the crux of human existence.

Recent trends in technology suggest that commercial automation will be the next most sought after aspect in the architecture and design industry. Commercial automation is a technology system usually implemented to control various aspects of a building, such as the lights, temperature, window shades, audio, video, etc. Instead of controlling all of these components individually, automation combines them into one easily managed system. Everything works in unison, which in turn helps your business save on daily operations. Your business becomes more lucrative and simpler when all your technology and systems work in sync with user-friendly control. Imagine clicking on a single button to activate and deactivate the alarm systems, turn lights on, draw curtains, set temperature, and turn on video displays. A boardroom or conference stuck in the old century surely can’t meet the efficiency, productivity, and elegance of a boardroom integrated with the most up-to-date systems modern technology has to offer. By integrating every function and having easy control over your space from a single touch screen, commercial automation has become the need of the hour. The productivity at your workplace will increase, all the important rooms at your office will be governed by smart technology. Conference rooms, boardroom, or executive office can all be controlled from a single tablet. There will be no delays when holding meetings and every visitor will appreciate the easy-going yet effective approach.

Smart technology will set you apart put you a step above in efficiency and the experience of your space. You have the option to only integrate the system in a few areas first and then expand later. It is relatively easy to explore possibilities with commercial automation. Commercial automation also leads to energy conservation, by sensing the presence and absence of a person in the room amongst many other benefits. We can conclude from recent trends in the business that commercial automation will become a necessity at workplaces due to its unmatched benefits and functions.

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.

Hospitality Automation

Lighting needs in hospitality sector are no longer restricted to illuminating the space and enabling visibility. It, however, has evolved to be something that gives the visitors an experience of the place. Good lighting has the potential to transform the space and give the venue a character, look and feel. Today, we have different lighting control modules, each playing a distinct role to enable energy efficient lighting solutions.

Different areas require different type of lighting according to the function they perform. Lighting in the past decades, used to be a supplementary element to the overall scheme of a space. Now it has become a key element in a design scheme, and sometimes, is even used as a distinct feature in and of itself. The lighting solutions for hotels are chosen depending upon the requirement of the space. The type of lighting used enhances the look of the area and gives the visitors an experience in itself. Dull, dimly lit space often disappoint the visitors unless the space specifically requires such type of lighting. Lighting can play a huge role in the success of your hotel and how others perceive it. 

In the Hospitality sector, the major focus is on achieving the correct ambience with lighting controls. Hotels which are energy conscious stress on reducing energy consumption through controls. Dimmer compatible lights are a new addition to hospitality lighting solutions as they give the guests liberty to adjust the lights as per their needs. Such fixtures with dimmers also add to the overall aesthetics of the room liberating it from ugly looking light bulbs, while also adding an element of automation. This allows the users a higher level of control over his surrounding environment, which also helps them get more comfortable in a space. Hotel industry is continuously experimenting with the type of lighting they use. The innovations and developments are making it easier for the designers to use lights to accentuate the overall look of the space – both from the inside and outside.

Different types of lighting like light installations, façade lighting, controllable chandeliers, accent lights, dimmable LEDs etc are now used in the hotels. The LED industry is also changing at a very fast pace. Everyday there are new innovations and inventions. These changes and developments bring new opportunities along in terms of innovative and energy saving lighting solutions. We at Anusha Technovision (ATPL) strive to provide automation services in many sectors, including hospitality. From customizable guestroom automation to public area lighting controls, there is something for everyone. The products used and augmented in a design scheme by ATPL is versatile and allows designers a lot of flexibility in the way it can be implemented in a space, whether in an installation or the broader lighting scheme, making it an economical choice in terms of energy consumption.

Automation - Comfort and Convenience

Automation is the process where technology does the job for us with minimal or no human intercession. It saves us from the regular annoying job of getting up on a lazy winter morning just to switch on the geyser. A magic wand that can turn the air-conditioning on to just the “right” level for us or turn on the lighting again to the required intensity – depending upon the space and the activity, and the person occupying the space.

Automation is the new era of evolution. Today, machines run the world, economy and societies. Hence, they reduce the human effort manifold. Globally, dependency on machines at all levels and scale of activities has exponentially increased and evolved. Not just big companies or factories, even our everyday household items are fully automated. Washing machines, water heaters, refrigerators, ACs, lighting or dishwashers, automation has left no stone unturned to make the human life comfortable and convenient. Therefore, technology helps us in our everyday life by reducing the workload, and increasing comfort.

Services like HVAC, lighting control systems, occupancy aware control system, integrated security systems that only require an active Wi-Fi connection and have a user-friendly interface, are all automated in function and execution. 

What exactly can Automation do?

In general, control of systems is often mistakenly referred to as Automation. For example, the ability to dim lights, to control A/cs from a smart phone or to change your Tata Sky channel with Alexa voice control is generally referred to as understood as automation today in the residential field. However “automation” ideally should be more than just control, even though the control could be via a touch panel or via a voice control. As long as there is a input given from our side to achieve a certain state from a system, it is control or even more refined control rather than automation. In my view, “Automation Nirvana” would be achieved the day we have lights automatically dimming depending upon the personal preferences of the home owner automatically (sensing time of day or sensing activity such as watching a movie) WITH OUT any input from the homeowner on an “every time” basis. Or say when the air-conditioning follows your pattern of temperature requirement changes through the night and then does exactly that for you next time with out any input. Or say the grocery is ordered from your regular vendor when ever sugar, salt, or wheat or Tissue paper or any of your regular stuff is about to finish for the month. Sounds futuristic? Not really. Amazon offers almost a similar service in the US. Smart refrigerators such as Samsung have unleashed some what similar function devices. Google Nest Thermostats do some of what you want. The ideal thing would of course be when all of this works seamlessly with out having to go to different sub systems and different products for each of the above things.

Then again comes in the question of privacy and how much do you actually want the devices to know about your daily habits and then to run your life, But then you have to either give up this Automation Nirvana Idea, or stop worrying about privacy. You can’t save your cake and eat it too! Or Can you? Time will tell!