A smart home, or smart home system, means a home setup built for convenience, where appliances and devices can be controlled remotely and automatically — the air conditioner, the lights, even the home lift . Users can run these functions at the press of a button on a smartphone or with a voice command, reaching the home security system, the temperature and the lighting from anywhere, to make life easier, safer and kinder to the environment.
These seven features of a truly smart home deliver safety, efficiency and a seamless experience. Here are the 7 smart home control devices we recommend to make life at home easier.
1. Smart Air Conditioner: On/Off From Your Smartphone
In Thailand the one appliance no home can do without is the air conditioner. With such a hot climate, it is no surprise that every house has one. These days you can control your air conditioner over WiFi and command it by voice or straight from an app — many brands now ship with smartphone and voice control built in.
If your air conditioner does not have that feature, you can still switch it on and off with an IR remote control, or smart remote, which sends the same infrared signal as the original handset. That said, if the unit you are using is a Smart Air Conditioner, you can use the app that comes with it as a WiFi remote. The catch with this route is that only some brands and models have a supporting app.
Example: Smart Air Conditioner
One model that comes with such a control system is the Carrier Copper-11 air conditioner, which you can operate through an app instead of the remote. Just download the app called “Carrier In The Air” onto your phone and set it up to connect to the unit.
2. Smart Bulbs: On/Off From Your Smartphone
Switching the lights on and off is easy enough while you are at home, but the moment you step out you may find you have left them on. Today there are “smart bulbs” and “smart lamps” controlled from a smartphone, with voice commands supported through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. They work by receiving a signal that switches the light on or off, using wireless WiFi or BLE technology to join the network in your home or building. They screw straight into your existing light sockets with nothing extra to install — you only need to download the app. The upsides: brightness adjustable from 10% to 100%, an adjustable light tone, and colours you can change to any shade you fancy.
Example: Smart Light
The smart lamp Philips Hue COL Hue Go 2.0 also supports a BLE connection, displays more than 16 million colours, and can sync its light with music and films.
3. Smart CCTV Cameras
CCTV cameras today are far more capable than they once were. When shopping for one, make sure the device offers remote viewing. With that function the camera can link to devices such as smartphones, tablets and computers. A WiFi CCTV camera connects wirelessly within the home and sends the feed straight to the user’s mobile phone, so you can watch in real time. Current models also pack a wide range of functions: an interactive security system that lets you hold a conversation through the camera in real time via its built-in microphone and speaker, remote viewing for several users at once, motion detection, night vision and infrared.
Example: Smart CCTV Camera 1080p
One example is the Hikvision Ip Camera Wifi , which pairs with the Hik-connect app — the application for connecting Hik-Vision cameras and recorders — to keep your home secure 24 hours a day.
4. Smart Air Purifiers
If you own an older air purifier, you may find you forget to switch it on and off time after time. But if you want the unit to last longer and use less electricity, scheduling and remote control of the purifier are all part of the package with a smart air purifier. To make use of its many convenient functions, simply connect the device to the app on your smartphone.
Example: Smart Air Purifier
One example is the Samsung BLUE SKY AX7500 air purifier . Samsung’s SmartThings app lets you decide how clean and fresh the air is before you get home. You can check the air quality at the house and change the fan speed through the SmartThings app without touching a remote control.
5. Smart Vacuum Cleaners
Lighten the load and let a robot do the work for you. To cut down on housework, you should have a vacuum cleaner that reaches every nook and cranny of your home. Manage the whole cleaning experience through an app, running it from your phone or by voice command. A smart vacuum system clears dust mites and dirt out of every corner automatically.
Example: Smart Robot Cleaner
One example is the Xiaomi Mi Robot Vacuum X10 , run from the Xiaomi Home app at your fingertips and controllable from anywhere — start or stop the machine and choose its cleaning level. It uses a laser to measure distances and build a map of the space before working out the best cleaning route, so you can control it anytime, anywhere, even when you are not at home.
6. Smart Washing Machines
In the past everything had to be washed by hand. Now all it takes is one finger on your smartphone to take control. It does not just clean your clothes — it takes a good deal of hassle out of your life as well. All you need is a Wi-Fi-capable smartphone or tablet that you can download the app onto.
Example: Smart Washing Machine
One example is the BOSCH Series 6 , a washer and dryer that supports BOSCH’s Home Connect. Load the laundry into the machine, then time the wash so it finishes just as you get home, and you can hang everything out right away. It is useful for any household and saves time on washing and drying when you plan ahead.
7. Cibes Lift Smart Lifts
Backed by continuous development and a firm, steady business philosophy, Cibes Lift home lifts come with a refined, state-of-the-art SMART+ control panel: call buttons and command controls on a touch-sensitive panel, adjustable light colours, a music playback system and a child-safety lock (lift lock code), all fitted as standard equipment.
What is more, every Cibes Lift includes an advanced control system and smart controls so that every ride is effortless: an IoT system, call buttons and command controls on a touch panel, a lift lock, and audio for music and communication, all installed at the factory. It also gives advance warnings — a battery-degradation alert, for instance — and logs any lift faults as data for repair and maintenance service, with software that can be upgraded.
Taking all of the above together, a smart home system brings plenty of advantages. The word ‘smart’ used to be applied to people, but as times changed, devices became packed with computer-like features. Through continuous research and progress, ‘smart technology’ has moved into other areas such as the home, giving living spaces a high-tech makeover that fits modern life perfectly. The benefits of this system: easy control from anywhere, lower electricity bills, greater peace of mind and a better quality of life.
