All modern comforts
today in a home, that can be related to technology - from lighting, fans, A/c,
entertainment to kitchen appliances, have one thing common - the little button
that transforms the sleeping tech gadget into a source of enjoyment, comfort or
simply getting the work done. Every one of these gadgets has to be turned ON, and therein lies this seemingly common, but very important aspect – A Switch.
Lighting today does not simply have to be on/off, it can be modified to get the perfect level with the help of dimmers. Matching with the technology of the audio systems, the smart switches also give us complete control, to set the light according to mood.
One of the major reasons of switches giving way to automation keypad is the user friendliness- a keypad is annotated properly, and each button is engraved and designed to remove any confusion about its functionality.
As design and technology are linked
closely, the design of the switches has also undergone evolution. The switch stands
out on a plain wall, and therefore designers tried to conceal them. Switches
have become flatter, crisper, smarter, better-looking and now offer a variety
of colors and materials to choose from.
A technology taking the center stage
these days is the Palladium keypad by Lutron, a sleek 3x3 inch keypad, with 8
buttons that replaces a complete bank of switches. It is centrally linked to
the automation system; as a result, lighting scenes, music or motorizedcurtains shades- everything can be controlled by just one keypad. Each button
individually is backlit and custom engraved making it easy for the user to
read, under all lighting conditions.
In the near future, I foresee that
standalone switches will become obsolete. As home automation systems advance, gadgets will increasingly work as part of a larger ecosystem to provide a one-stop
solution for all user needs.
