the next step in home improvement

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1. Why is home automation such
a big industry?
2. How is it accomplished?
3. Where is it going?
 Green building
 Potential problems

4. Finally, a reminder, WHY it is

soooo cool…
 Innovative ideas
WHY?
The 3 C’s:
 Convenience
 Accessibility from anywhere with internet
connection
 Laziness factor
 Nikola Tesla – 1898 – first patented remote control
 First used for military

 Control
 Manage anything that is hooked up – alarms, etc.
 Efficient use of systems – radiant heat example

 Cool
 Pride factor
Common 2009 Uses:
 HVAC
 Temperature and humidity control
 Lighting
 Mood lighting
 Whole home control
 Audio/Video
 Whole home entertainment systems
○ One location for hardware

 Intercom Systems
HOW?
STRUCTURED WIRING

GOOD NOT SO GOOD

 Wiring Options
Technology Transmission Medium Speed (seconds) Max Distance to
Device

Ethernet Unshielded twisted pair 10 MB-1GB 100m

Optical Fiber 1GB-10GB 2km-15km

Wi-Fi Radio Frequency 11MB-248MB 30m-100m

FireWire Unshielded twisted 400MB-3.2GB 4.5m-70m

pair/optical fiber

Bluetooth Radio Frequency 1MB-10MB 10m-100m

HomePlug Electrical Wiring 14MB-200MB 200m

ITU Electrical Up to 1GB n/a

wiring/telephone
line/coax

USB Twisted pair 12MB-480MB 5m

IRDA Infrared 9600B-4MB 2m

SMURF TUBING – Yes, SMURF

COST = 100’ for about

$45.00
Structured Media Panel

Hardware Rack
RF (Radio Frequency) Systems
 Primary
Use?
 Remodel
 Problems?
 Interference
 Slower
○ Jacobson
example
Major Home Automation Companies:
 Crestron
 http://www.crestron.com
 Conrol 4
 http://www.control4.com
 AMX
 http://www.amx.com
 Savant (mac-based)
 http://www.savantav.com

CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association

 CEDIA Expo 2009 held in Atlanta, GA in September
 Displays all the newest technology in home automation
Where is Home Automation going?
Green Building and Safe Building
 HVAC Control  Security
 Electricity consumption  Connections to cameras,
management alarms
○ Example: Flashing all lights
 Lighting control if alarm goes off.
○ Regulated according to
○ Flood warning
ambient light
 Natural Light
 Shades/Curtain control
 PROBLEMS!!
 Potential over-reliance
on computers!!
 Prone to
hacking/meltdowns/glitches
 Unnecessary perks may
cause problems with
necessary home functions
 Deadbolt Control  I-phone Apps/Controller

Control TV, Garage Door,

anything you want!!
BIOMETRICS
Vacant Home Capabilities:

 Feed and watch pets

 Water plants
 Interior and Exterior
 Presence Simulation
 Lighting, TV, anything –
pre-programmed schedule
Water Management

Programmed bath cycles

 Bathomatic DEMO

Sensor Faucet
Automated Toilets!
 Features:
 The toilet has an SD card, pre-loaded
with Bach, Chopin and Mendelsohn.
Once you show up to take care of
business, a sensor activates the tunes,
either to relax you or to prevent
houseguests in your thin-walled
Japanese apartment from hearing
anything other than Bach, Chopin or
Mendelsohn.
 Another sensor figures out whether
you're going to need the seat up or
down (crikey, would love to know how
this one works) and motorizes it into the
appropriate position. After you leave, it
automatically places the seat in the
down position if it was up, preventing
countless marital spats.
 A nightlight in the bowl helps guide you
during those 2am emergencies
Automated Cabinets

http://www.anvilmotion.com/
Special Addition for Bro. Newitt!!

“One small step for man,

one huge step for
mankind.”