3 Ways Automation Trends That Redefine Home Comfort

 2021 has been challenging due to remote work and lifestyle changes. With the new normal, the necessity for automation has increased. Automation solutions simplify everyday tasks and bring in comfort and convenience. In addition, it also improves your efficiency by eliminating mundane and repetitive chores, thus providing ease with everything that you do. 

At Anusha Technovision, we observed that current automation trends enhance lifestyle comforts, improve home security, and provide entertainment. This blog focuses on trend-setting automation products, which provide the same.

Lifestyle

Just like too many cooks spoil the broth, too many remotes or controllers complicate gadgets. Now, you can achieve a hassle-free automated lifestyle without worrying about controlling all the automated devices separately with the HomeWorks QS. This device seamlessly integrates various controls like lights, motorised blinds, temperature, etc. Moreover, it provides quick access to multiple electronic systems and energy efficiency without sacrificing comfort. 

With automation, you can transform every aspect of your lifestyle. For example, you can preset a timer to turn the lights on before reaching home with automated lighting control. You can also customise the ambience per se your mood. Sync the background music or playlist with the HomeWorks QS voice feature to turn a dull day into a happy one. Available in a variety of colours with attractive keypads, the HomeWorks QS enhances home efficiency.

With the Lutron Sivoia QS shading technology, you can control the amount of natural light entering your home depending on your requirement. Get complete shading control for your window treatments like roller shades, traditional drapery tracks etc.

To tie everything together and support any automation system, you require a strong and efficient processor. With a powerful 4-Series control engine, the Crestron automation processor provides high-speed gigabit ethernet control ports. In addition, the rack-mountable processor can help integrate technology into your modern house or commercial building with ease.

Security

Biometric security options effectively eliminate the need to touch surfaces and ensure hygiene. Of course, an added benefit is no more bulky keys! The Ekey biometric access control is one such suitable option for private and commercial spaces. It is a smart fingerprint scanner that connects to the server and has advanced features like timer settings.

Moreover, you can integrate it into regular locks, store fingerprints and operate the lock remotely with Ekey's app. Ekey biometric is available in various options like wall-mounted scanner, outlet mounted scanner and keypad. It is a perfect modern solution to address your security concerns.

Entertainment

Elevate and simplify entertainment with the latest automated technology systems with personalised features. Take the example of the Sonance Visual Performance Series speakers that enliven social gatherings with stunning sound quality. The speaker drivers are made from very rigid and lightweight materials, which provide excellent sound quality. It features a low-profile paintable grille blending into the wall or ceiling and is available in various shapes, sizes, performance levels etc.

Automation can help you save time and energy. These trending automation products come with hassle-free installation and upgrade benefits. The above are just a few trending examples of how automation can transform homes. Of course, the first step is to think through your needs and then make an informed decision to integrate technologies that make every day a little happier for you. 

Reopening: What Automation-Enabled Offices Will Look Like Post The Pandemic

 

The Covid-19 pandemic led to a massive disruption in the way the world functions. Back in the year 2020, people faced challenges while setting up home offices and working online. Offices are reopening while adhering to Covid norms. Employee health and safety are top priorities for organisations. Office automation is no longer just a 'luxury' but a necessity. Enabling modern solutions like digital automation, motion sensors, and voice detectors will effectively help deal with the pandemic. 

Digital Automation

With the world moving towards digitisation, various IoT (Internet of things) devices are gaining popularity. These devices help reduce employees' contact with the surfaces. For example, the automation with a Lutron Processor system enables scenes to be activated based upon the time of the day on an Astronomic time clock. Wireless wall-mounted keypads, allow for easy retrofit applications. This system replicates the controls on devices like smartphones, tablets, etc. 

Smart LEDs can adjust the light temperature of the room varying from a warm white (3000k)to cool white (5000k) and daylight levels of a particular space. For instance, the Lutron Digital Addressable lighting interface (DALI) modules provide different ambient lighting experiences to meet the occupants' needs. All these measures can help improve employee productivity and overall office experience.

Occupancy Sensors

Today, building automation and control tools are available to process and analyse occupancy patterns. These are called occupancy sensors that help to detect when a space is unoccupied and thus turn the lights off. As a result, one can save more energy and reduce carbon footprint. For example, the Lutron ceiling mount sensors feature high-end in ceiling sensors with minor motion detection ability. The dual technology version provides optimal energy saving and occupancy detection. This self-adaptive technology helps to eliminate the need for manual adjustments. Data from the sensors can also be fed to the Building Management Systems to manage the HVAC loads as well, thus maximizing energy savings.

Voice Technology

With voice-enabled devices, one can request services and enable contactless operations. Moreover, employees can use appliances without touching handles and buttons, making work simpler and ensuring social distancing. In addition, most voice-enabled devices understand commands like managing meetings, controlling conference room devices, and setting room temperature, simplifying work nitty-gritty.

HVAC System 

Smart building automation helps in creating a healthier and pleasant environment for employees. For example, ventilation systems with air cleaning and filtration technology can help reduce airborne contaminants creating a safer and more hygienic workplace. For instance, the Coolmaster System by Anusha Technovision facilitates seamless integration of the HVAC systems. The system provides services like maintaining the thermostat, touch keypad/dynamic keypad for control, occupancy/vacancy sensor, Lutron Connect App, etc.

The office spatiality is changing. Post the pandemic as the staff re-acclimate to the new normal, building improvisations and automation will increase office efficiency with employee well-being as the mainstay. Automated office engagement and innovation, embracing a hybrid work model will help deal with the pandemic effectively.

 

One of the new trends in international and multinational companies is to now focus on the Wellness factor in addition to focusing on minimizing the energy consumption in the building. As such now “wellness ratings” in addition to the LEEDS Energy ratings are being sought from international rating agencies. The realization dawns that the cost of energy in the building is nothing compared to the cost of employees and as such savings should be focused on increasing the productivity of the employees in proportion to the increased  “wellness”  -now being the new Mantra.

Set The Festive Mood With An Intelligent Lighting Control System

 While earthen diyas and lamps were a given in traditional Indian homes, shrinking square footage and fire risks make it difficult to light them inside the house. The short-lived glitz of incandescent or halogen festive lights generates excessive heat, increasing your electricity bills and carbon footprint. Why not create the perfect ambience for your home this festive season with smart lighting and IoT solutions (Internet of things)?

Intelligent lighting control systems allow you to control lights remotely via a smart device like a tablet or smartphone. Synchronise lights with music or home theatre systems and even the security surveillance at the door. For example, the Lutron lighting control systems for homes seamlessly integrate electric light and daylight control and the audiovisual and HVAC systems while saving energy.

During the festive season, the IoT and AI (Artificial Intelligence) operated devices make life a tad easier. Imagine no more messy wires or bulbs that don’t last the night! At the command of your voice or the flick of a finger, your home illumination goes from meh to mesmerising! You can pick from a range of colours, intensities and even effects. With preset modes, you can automatically activate or turn off these lights.

Set up a festive acoustical experience with music. Thanks to IoT, you can now integrate your music system with the lights or even motorised shades. You can even pre-set different festival playlists based on the lighting effects. Occupancy and daylight sensors work in sync with the HVAC to keep the thermostat at a comfortable level. 

While decor plays a critical role in the run-up to the festive season, don’t forget safety. Smart security surveillance includes doors with digital locks that provide access based on biometrics like fingerprints. Some even feature face recognition. You can also opt for an IP-based video door phone available from Samsung or Panasonic. It enables the consumer to identify the visitor and grant access via the smartphone.

With kids and adults alike enjoying the festive flair, IoT and home automation offer a blend of comfort and safety. Over time, they also enable you to reduce your carbon footprint and have an energy-efficient home. Once the festivities are over, they continue to make everyday tasks a tad easier. A bonus is that you can upgrade and update these technologies with minimal installation hassles. With the plethora of extended possibilities and nuanced sensibilities, give your home a smart makeover.

Versatile Automation Fits Anywhere: Here's How

Automation defines the automatic control of Electrical & Electronic devices at our residences, commercials, or hospitality, etc. areas. They are connected to a centralized network and rely on the hub, which is also referred to as the controller or server. For instance, Lights, Curtains, Security Cameras, Audio Speakers, etc., can be controlled via a smart device like an iPad using the touch of fingers or through Alexa using voice commands.

 

Let's dig deeper into the flexibility Automation offers:

 

Convenient & easy to operate

By performing rote tasks automatically and interfacing multiple devices, it is possible to elevate the customer experience. Numerous smart gadgets are compatible with one another — just set up specific triggers based on your requirements. For example, the Entrance Lights turn on when we unlock the front door. Similarly, we can simply use voice commands via Alexa to operate the lights or curtains instead of using switches or bring in more natural light with motorized shading solutions.

 

Versatility for new devices and apps

 

As we all know, state-of-the-art technology is advancing day by day and interfacing present Electrical & Electronic systems is very tough but Automation systems through Lutron or Crestron have made them flexible when it comes to accommodating it with the new technology. For example, If we have to add HVAC or Security Camera system in the present set up then we can easily interface with the automation system, and also if we are planning to upgrade our lighting system, then also it is easily accessible through automation systems. Once we will become familiar with the apps or smart devices, we can tap into countless functions and cut back on the learning curve. We can seamlessly integrate multiple devices through one interface and keep upgrading as required.

 

Few installation hassles

 

One doesn't need to refurbish or redecorate the home to bring in automation. Considering the high installation costs, one can integrate home automation into different environments without burning a hole in your pocket. Automation systems can be retrofitted or installed into existing decor with relative ease. For example, the customer experience can easily be elevated with a Lutron touch panel.

 

Space-saving

 

Why clutter vertical spaces like the walls with switchboards when you have home automation? Though it doesn't eat into your square footage, one can use the wall as a backdrop of decorative accents or simply added storage like shelves. Aesthetically designed automated switches like the Palladiom Keypad fit into any space without cumbersome wires. The sleek control features multiple functions, which ups the ante of our interiors too.

 

Automation today has become seamless and sleek to fit into urban homes. With clean-lined designs, easy-to-operate interfaces, and smooth upgradation, it’s now easy to simplify automation usage for the peace and comfort of the end-user.

Home Automation Systems and Working Parents

There has been a constant evolution in man’s lifestyle, the curiosity to know more, and the aspiration for a shift in standards of living, that integrates humans with a world of technology and development. We can see how technology over the years has slowly made its way into the spaces we inhabit. The flexibility of which, can lend a helping hand to many working parents.  

The automation market of today is aiming at the absolute touch-free functioning of day-to-day activities. This revolution brought a myriad of new trends into the construction realm, which includes automated domestic help, temperatures control, facial and voice recognition, etc. Besides the fact automation that serves one’s routine, there is a rising need for integration of workspace at home. Fabricating intact communication at home, the new trends offer at-home conferences, keypad touch panels and contact of various devices, automated communication systems for a company, etc. 

From the smart clock that is automatically adjusted to one’s daily schedule to the sustainable features, these systems offer additional security and monitoring. Following are the most commonly used options available in the market : 

1. Smart Home basics

• Let’s start with the basics, with smart tv, lighting controls, and audio and video systems that can be turned on and off as per one’s need, and subsequently, a schedule can be formed for yourself and your child. Video doorbells not only sense, and alert you when someone is at the front door, but can also show you video footage of who is there and use intercom technology to talk to your visitor. Water Heaters can turn on and off based upon the time clock. Little kids can walk into the bathroom and not worry about how to turn the light switch on when the sensors turn them on automatically.
  
  

2. Automated Locks

• When your kids return home from school or if they lock themselves out of the house while you're at work, home automation systems give you the ability to unlock the door remotely. Better more, with their specific individual codes, they may gain access right away, and you'll get a notification on your phone as soon as they do. 

3. Smart Shades

• With motorized shading solutions, one can pull up or pull down shades for privacy or can be set to a schedule so that they can greet you with sunlight at the same time each morning. Smart privacy windows can be installed or a film you place over your windows. This changes from a normal window to an opaque window with zero visibility, from a remote or from your smart device. Many privacy windows also protect from harmful UV rays and work as insulators to maintain a comfortable temperature.

  

4. Saving Energy

• Kids that are too young to understand the importance of saving energy may leave fans, lights, and appliances on for longer than required. Using a home automation system makes it easy for you to handle all these controls with just a press of a button, no matter how far away you are from home. The efficiency of this system not only saves time but also helps in conserving energy. 

5. Smart Kitchens

• We often struggle with the efficiency of work that happens in our kitchens. Imagine if all the devices we use in the kitchen can be controlled and monitored from anywhere. From notifying you when the refrigerator door is left open to giving you timely updates on the load of the dishwasher or even if the stove or faucet has been left on. 

6. Smart Nurseries 

• Baby monitors incorporated with a video camera have made the life of parents stress-free. Multiple sensors when triggered send alerts to your smart device and can instantly be checked on. Whether it is a smart bed stand that acts as a baby station, and smart hub, or a changing mat that measures your baby’s weight to make sure they are properly fed, these products are changing the nursery game. A very common feature that a lot of parents use is having the maid watch over the kids at home, but with cameras that make it easy to check up and communicate with kids and the maid on your smartphone. 

7. Pet care

• Taking care of your fur-babies has been made easier than ever with smart pet care. From smart pet doors that open and close on command to the smart feeders that dispense food and water on schedule with a click on your phones. 

Further, working parents with differently-abled children can make use of home automation systems to monitor and keep track of their well-being. From a medical alert emergency button that can alert you or emergency service for immediate care, to activity-tracking that helps you schedule their food and medication on time. 

In a world where the line between work and home is blurred, it becomes quite tedious to have an organized home set-up with children around. Switching to smart homes or home automation systems can be efficient and less stressful especially for working parents. 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. If you think you are ready to take a look at some Smart Home products, Anusha Technovision ( ATPL) has a lot to offer in the way of affordable and reliable Home Automation.

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

 

Contactless technology for safer built environments

In the past year, online searches for contactless products have increased by up to 2000%. As anxiety continues to spread over the outbreak of COVID-19 through contact or shared surfaces, these technologies offer a potential solution for homes, offices or any built environment that wants to reduce the risk of the viral spread. Here is a mini list of contactless technologies that are available at your disposal:

Digital Control: One of the most famous examples of contactless technology, IoT technologies, is the use of apps on your smartphones or tablets to control lighting, temperature, security, and more. This technology allows one to change the inhabited environment or access data without any external contact, eliminating physical interactions. Due to its flexible usage, you can apply this technology to almost any built space. 

Motion sensors: This technology eliminates unnecessary contact and the hassle of finding and turning the light switch on. With this technology, one minor but significant point of contact in workspaces and homes can be eliminated, reducing the potential risk of germs and diseases. Not only are we procuring safety measures, but ensuring the reduction in energy use and costs by adequate margins.

Smart bathrooms: One of the most important spaces to use contactless technology and to maintain hygienic and safer environments is a bathroom or public restrooms in workspaces and public places. Technologies such as intelligent toilets flush automatically through a timer and sensor and open and close automatically as well. Motion sensor toilets and faucets, intelligent bathroom systems have already received a spiked interest in society. 

Voice Control: Another aspect of contactless methods of interfacing with intelligent system is through the use of Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple Siri etc. to achieve a change in your lighting or to change the channel on your TV or to adjust the temperature on your AC or to even open your doors.

Future of Lighting

The evolving consumer tastes are currently shaping the future of lighting, and a large amount of that is owed to the pandemic. The need to spend more time at home to work due to quarantine measures means your home must now incorporate areas of work, study, and personal activity. This will lead to a rise in the number of people adapting their home lighting systems - specifically through smart lights - to adapt to the new paradigm. 

The vast array of options smart lights provide in personal customizability is expensive. An increase in work-from-home models will be an influencing factor in their adoption, as many companies are already incorporating it to continue even after the pandemic. Studies have shown a connection between lighting types and the ability to focus, which people anecdotally associate with. In that regard office space now focuses on lighting that helps improve productivity and hence the new and increasingly popular concept of “Human Centric Lighting”. Since our body clock is governed by the secretion of hormones, which in turn takes its cue from lighting. This is why we sleep at a certain time, (night) and we are alert at other times (mornings). So the effort today is to keep the body clock in sync with nature's timings of sunrise and sunsets. Since we spend more time indoors – the indoor lighting now with the help of technology follows the color temperature of sunlight and helps maintain the body rhythm. 

Additionally, smart light systems can easily be coded and controlled from home management devices like Google Nest and Amazon Alexa devices, making them substantially easier to use. The trend towards voice commands and centralized home control has been a trendy feature in recent years and is sure to propel smart lighting to even greater popularity. 

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

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